Zalmos is (or was) a web-based proxy service. Unlike a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which must be installed on your device, a web proxy like Zalmos works directly through your internet browser. It acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet.

Users can often choose between different server locations, such as France or the Netherlands, to virtually reside in another country and bypass local censorship.

From an institutional perspective, the use of ZALMOS presents a significant security challenge. Network administrators implement filters not only to maintain productivity but also to protect the network from malware and phishing sites. When users bypass these filters via ZALMOS, they create a "shadow IT" environment that operates outside the visibility of security protocols. This can lead to the inadvertent introduction of threats into a corporate or school network, undermining the very safety measures designed to protect the collective community of users.