Proxy software forwards network traffic through another system or address. A proxy can relay requests to online services, making those services see the proxy’s network address rather than the original sender’s. Proxies also have legitimate uses, such as managing access, filtering traffic, or routing connections.
In cyber attacks, unauthorized proxy software can turn a compromised device into a relay, allowing an operator to route traffic through its internet connection and disguise the traffic’s origin. When installed on exposed network devices, this activity may blend in with ordinary residential traffic. Defenders can reduce the risk by limiting internet exposure, updating device firmware, and monitoring for outbound connections that do not fit the device’s normal role.