Web-based proxies are intermetiate medias between a workstation in a networked environment and the Internet. They are associated with a "gateway," which separates the internal network from the outside; a "firewall," which screens all incoming traffic and protects the network from unwelcome intruders; and a "caching" program, which looks locally for previously downloaded web pages. This is a safe, efficient way of handling traffic on a network. Enjoy :)