Which function does a proxy serve in a network?

A proxy server primarily serves as an intermediary between clients and the resources they request, facilitating communication while offering various functions such as filtering, caching, and improving security. The correct answer highlights the proxy's capability to enhance security by blocking malicious traffic, which can include hackers attempting to access or infiltrate a network. By mediating communications, the proxy can act as a barrier that protects internal networks from external malicious attempts, effectively reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

While proxies can contribute to traffic management and user verification, their main role is not specifically tied to user authentication or directly assigning IP addresses. Firewalls generally handle user authentication and IP assignment concerns more thoroughly. The aspect of translating protocols between networks is typically a function associated with gateways rather than proxies.