Hi,

I used ICQ a lot before buying a cable modem. Now I can't.

After installing the hardware I noticed that I couldn't go online. I tried reinstalling and all (under windows, I didn't have linux then), and finally I called my ISP. Apparently for some unknown reason all the IPs starting with 195.174.* has been banned, including mine. They told me I had to use an anonymous proxy.
Now I have linux, which AFAIK is the preferred system for hackers. There should be a way to get around this then. Can you assist me in the process? I could have tried to monkey around on my own, yet I seriously can't afford losing my list! I can't back it up either for it is on their servers (I am connecting through ICQ!Go thing since a couple of months).

Please help me!
Thanks a lot!

Search Google for something like "anonymous proxy"; test proxy IP address connecting to a remote env.cgi checking the headers for any "X-FORWARDED-FOR" or other headers that might reveal your systems' IP address; then enter proxy address in ICQ app.

I did the search and found some servers. Now should I directly write these in GAIM? I know I am being too cautious, since as i told you, i don't want to lose my contacts. In the accounts dialog there is a screen name options. Does this overwrite my previous nickname?
I also heard about some softwares that act as a proxy server. Would these work, and do you have some to recommend me??
Thanks a lot for your help

Sorry, but I'm no IM user. Besides this ain't a security question I see, so most of those questions should be asked in Linux - General or alike (I'll move this thread there).
About the proxy thingie, try to search LQ for details, like this thread. Doesn't your app have docs about using proxies/configuration issues?