Which of the following functions is NOT typically performed by a proxy server?

A proxy server primarily serves as an intermediary between users and the internet, performing several essential functions. One of these functions is caching frequently accessed content. By storing copies of web pages, images, or other data, a proxy server can significantly reduce load times and bandwidth usage for repeated requests, enhancing user experience and network performance.

Moreover, proxy servers play a crucial role in security and network management, which includes blocking unwanted web traffic and filtering malicious URLs. This capability helps to protect users from accessing harmful websites and can enforce organizational policies regarding internet usage.

Packet sniffing, however, is typically the domain of network monitoring tools rather than proxy servers. Packet sniffers analyze traffic data at the network level without acting as an intermediary for web requests. While proxy servers handle the flow of web traffic, they do not conduct passive monitoring of all network packets in the same way that dedicated packet sniffing tools do. Therefore, this function is not typically performed by a proxy server.