Proxy Settings - help!

[LIZS]

Using IE 11 and W8. Today have not been able to access internet since first thing due to Proxy Settings not responding and blocking it. Broadband was working as could access wifi on my Kindle. What are they and is the pc now at any risk since I have unchecked the box for LAN to use them ?

For a home network it is very unlikely you have a proxy. It probably got enabled by accident. Some businesses use them as a way of monitoring and filtering internet traffic.