Which statement best describes a proxy server?

Which statement best describes a proxy server?

• A. A device that translates domain names to IP addresses
• B. A third-party computer that passes traffic to and from a specific address without revealing the client's address
• C. A device that assigns IP addresses to clients via DHCP
• D. A device that blocks all inbound traffic to a network

Answer: (D)

A proxy server acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources. It receives a client’s request, forwards it to the destination server, and then returns the response to the client. Because the destination server sees the proxy’s IP address rather than the client’s, the proxy can mask the client’s identity, provide caching, and apply filtering or policy controls. This aligns with the description of a third-party computer that passes traffic to and from a specific address without revealing the client’s address. Other options describe different network roles: translating domain names to IP addresses is what DNS does; assigning IP addresses to clients via DHCP is the function of a DHCP server; and blocking all inbound traffic to a network describes a firewall or similar security device.

A proxy server acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources. It receives a client’s request, forwards it to the destination server, and then returns the response to the client. Because the destination server sees the proxy’s IP address rather than the client’s, the proxy can mask the client’s identity, provide caching, and apply filtering or policy controls. This aligns with the description of a third-party computer that passes traffic to and from a specific address without revealing the client’s address.

Other options describe different network roles: translating domain names to IP addresses is what DNS does; assigning IP addresses to clients via DHCP is the function of a DHCP server; and blocking all inbound traffic to a network describes a firewall or similar security device.