Proxy setting

[Shirshendu De]

Why do we have proxy in our computers? I am going to use Burp Suite. Now, it asks me to configure proxy settings of the browser. I am using google chrome and I read that it takes the same settings of the computer. So, Is changing the proxy of computer proxy settings under network the same as changing the browser proxy settings? Or two things are different?

[Dennis Mink]

proxies are used as a central adminstrative point to allow/block certain URLS of categories of URLS.

browsers are proxy aware (through browser settings, and chrome uses the iE/MS settings).

other apps are not proxy aware and use/require direct internet access