Proxy question...

[Amatsu Mikaboshi]

Ok, I went to this site that had a list of proxies...they were apparently public proxies that were left open. The site is for system admins to check if their proxies are on the list....My question: Would it be illegal to use them?

[Statica]

The question is best answered by:
a) The admin for the proxy server itself.
Just because there is a hole open somewhere doesn't mean that it is legal for anyone to exploit it. Just like if you were to sneak into a movie just because the guy who rips the tickets isn't there. If a proxy is left open for access to the general public (if there were ever such a thing), then of course its illegal. However, if the proxy is left open by mistake then it is not legal for you to use it. Read the ToS of the proxy server.
b) It also depends on your own system admin. There are a number of workplaces and ISPs that do not allow unknown proxies - and as such using one would violate the terms of your service.

Also, remember that just because there is a public proxy, does not mean that it is anonymous and that your activities will go unnoticed. All requests are usually logged quite extensively, and as such it is a mistake to assume that you are undetectable. Finally, it is up to your sensibilities not to do anything on the net that do not require you to "hide" yourself .. the internet can be a scary place, but it does not mean that "honest" surfers need veils of secrecy to do what is normally done.