![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Open_proxy_h2g2bob.svg/640px-Open_proxy_h2g2bob.svg.png&w=640&q=50)
Open proxy
Proxy server accessible to any Internet user / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For Wikipedia's policy on editing from open proxies, see Wikipedia:Open proxies.
An open proxy is a type of proxy server that is accessible by any Internet user.
![Diagram of proxy server connected to the Internet](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Open_proxy_h2g2bob.svg/320px-Open_proxy_h2g2bob.svg.png)
Generally, a proxy server only allows users within a network group (i.e. a closed proxy) to store and forward Internet services such as DNS or web pages to reduce and control the bandwidth used by the group. With an open proxy, however, any user on the Internet can use this forwarding service.