ISP/Proxy/Firewalls - how to get around them?

[Trytostaydead]

If my ISP uses a proxy firewall and some servers don't like that, is there a way to get around the ISP proxy?

[Zac Naloen]

not unless you're sleeping with the sys admin.

[phongn]

You can get your service terminated if your ISP finds out you're going around their content filtering since such an act is likely specified in the AUP/TOS.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

If my ISP uses a proxy firewall and some servers don't like that, is there a way to get around the ISP proxy?

Have you talked to your ISP's tech support, or lodged a complaint with them? Some ISP proxies are really paranoid and block legitimate sites and servers. You might want to have a talk with them, perhaps it is a known issue that they have a workaround for, or it is something they're willing to work with you on.

Failing that, if it is absolutely critical to you, you might want to go ISP shopping.

[Uraniun235]

If my ISP uses a proxy firewall and some servers don't like that, is there a way to get around the ISP proxy?

Yes. You can terminate your service with the ISP and subscribe to an alternate provider.

[Trytostaydead]

No, the ISP is not blocking anything. Sites are blocking me saying I'm behind an ISP proxy or something.

[General Zod]

No, the ISP is not blocking anything. Sites are blocking me saying I'm behind an ISP proxy or something.

do you have a firewall for your machine itself? it's possible that the sites are merely listing potential reasons they won't display, and one could be not liking your computer's firewall.

[Faram]

A proxy is not a firewall!

The most likely cause why an ISP uses a proxy is caching, if a webpage has been read beforethen you are not reading it from the site but from the cache of the proxy.

That way they save a lot of traffic and money.

Also a proxy let's the ISP log any and all traffic passing through it, a bonus for the ISP and a pain for the customer.