First, let's cover what a proxy is. At its most basic a proxy is typically another computer or a server that communicates on behalf of your computer to another computer. A socks proxy is a protocol for communication that works on a level lower than an HTTP proxy. This gives it the advantage of being able to pass information between two machines prevented from communicating by the same firewall or other network policy as well as find and open ports for the sending and receiving of data in a variety of different ways including TDP/UDP. Socks proxies operate underneath almost every protocol that more modern proxies are subject to and consequently are ignored and considered obsolete by many.
Whether it just be to bypass a senseless protocol on your home network or for something more serious like hiding your IP address from prying eyes socks is still an extremely useful tool. Typically when a query is performed regarding a device's identify IPv4 and IPv6 addressed are requested before anything else. Socks traffic often slips past unnoticed and can be considerably more easy to set up and maintain than other types of proxies available. It's worth of note that disguising your identity and expecting privacy on the internet is not a crime it is a right in the United States and many other countries. If you choose to pursue a criminal activity with your newfound anonymity then you should be ready to accept the consequences for that activity. With the number of companies spying on us every day and at the very least trying to coerce us to buy things based on data they have obtained through various methods (often not all legal). It's time more of us took responsibility for our safety and privacy while online and a socks proxy is a great way to start that battle. Or if you just need a quick way to bypass your network security without taking it down this program is great for that.
The basic version is freeware.
The Socks32 program is incompatible with 64 bit systems. There is a Socks 64 bit version available.