How do you manage the IP address part of it. Doesn't the datacenter, ISP or wherever you're getting the IP(s) object to it being used as a public proxy, which has a fair chance of being abused? (like users using it for credit card fraud and other illegal activities). If you are doing it without taking authorization from your datacenter or even thinking about it, then you certainly are putting yourself at risk! Can you also suggest some providers who specialize in offering such no questions asked IP blocks?
As long as your not promoting illegal activity via the proxy you should be fine. A disclaimer might help you out if theres ever any complaints against abuse coming from the proxy.
Running the risk of someone using the proxy to commit credit card fraud or other illegal activity, and being responsible for the IP address involved.
Held responsible by whom? Supposing your proxy is used by some cracker to steal some e-money and the cracker is caught...nobody is going to come after you. If the cracker is NOT caught the disclaimer won't do you any good because ebay/paypal never signed your disclaimer. Unless there is some other legal twist I am missing?
Disclaimers are just warning and the IP is yours when someone uses your proxy so is there a way to disprove that that is not you ? Make sure that if you so decide to run a proxy site, you check with your web host as to whether this is allowed.
Keep good records. If someone uses your proxy for illegal activities it won't be long before you hear about it. If you can hand over your log files to the authorities then you should be fine. If you're unable give them what they want don't expect them to just say oh well and go away. So make sure you can log the Ip of people who use your proxy and back it up in a safe place. Then you'll be prepared for when some loser kid decides to use your proxy to go all ape shit on the school website.
Keep logs, put your proxy on a dedicated server/IP, and do not promote illegal activity. That will keep you safe.
as far as disclaimers go, I didn't mean post warning people not to do illegal stuff, if they want to break the law a disclaimer wont stop them. A disclaimer saying that the proxy is fascilitated to provide privacy in browsing the web and not to aiding in criminal activity. The proxy owner is nto responsible for the actions of the users of this proxy. Somethign along thos elines.