I have a static IP. Is there any way (other than "anonymous surfing" sites ) by which I can hide my IP address from sites I am visiting. I found this one - http://www.proxyway.com/www/downloads/ How safe are such software ??
ya, you don't even need any software. you can search google for anonymous proxy lists and find lots of 'em. then just go to tools > internet options > connections > lan settings (assuming this is appropriate for you) then check the use proxy server box and enter the appropriate info. most of the proxy software programs i've used do fancy things like switch your proxies every minute or "chain them" together, which isn't really necessary for most people.
Try with any ellite or high-anonimity proxy (there is a lots of list on the web, use G). You can also change Your MAC number if You have ISP with DHCP server ( http://www.sorror.boo.pl/hacking/freeinternetdhcp.html ) BTW: every 'proxy software' uses transparent proxy so using them makes no sense...
Sorror, that's not exactly correct (unless i misunderstood you). There are lot's of proxy programs that let you use your own list of proxies.
Using proxy settings in browsers will hide my IP address only when I use the browser.....isnt it? What about when I am using non - browser applications... for example I trade in stocks and have got a few software applications which download data from the internet directly... what to do in such cases.?
If FF is your standard browser then downloads will be done via this proxy you have entered in the http area. At least this makes sense to me
On Unix/Linux systems You can define different types of connections and use different methods in IPTABLES or any other own make bash scripts - but we still don't know are You the Unix user.