Privoxy

Privoxy is a non-caching web proxy focused on privacy and policy-based filtering. It can modify web page content and HTTP headers to reduce tracking, remove ads, and enforce access rules for users or networks.

Key Features

• Non-caching HTTP/HTTPS proxy suitable for single users or multi-user networks
• Rule-based content filtering to remove ads, trackers, and unwanted page elements
• HTTP header modification to improve privacy and control client/server behavior
• Access control features for restricting sites, clients, or request patterns
• Highly flexible, file-based configuration designed for customization

Use Cases

• Network-wide ad/tracker reduction for browsers without needing extensions
• Privacy hardening by stripping or rewriting identifying headers and content
• Enforcing browsing policies and access restrictions on a home or small-office network

Limitations and Considerations

• No built-in trusted binary build infrastructure; users should prefer verified sources and signatures when available
• Filtering requires ongoing rule/config tuning and may occasionally break site functionality

Privoxy is a mature, configurable proxy for users who want transparent, centralized filtering and privacy controls. It fits well as a local host proxy or a gateway service for multiple devices and users.