VPN's

[barq2]

Keep in mind......that many on the Internet do offer sound advice, and do offer good and free "open source" software such as Firefox, virus protection (as good as Symantec's expensive offerings) and free Proxy Servers.

Many proxy servers that hide your IP address are set up by smart and decent people who's only goal is to be helpful.......there are many more good people in the world than bad.

Good point. Before the internet was commonly available, the old dial-up bulletin boards were mostly free. A few commercial ones charged, but literally thousands of hobby ones were free.
I suppose for someone who already has a server, then if they have the capacity, offering a free proxy doesn't have to cost them (depending on their bandwidth arrangements).