Have you ever tried watching an online video only to find that its availability is limited to certain countries? Or, maybe you live in an area that does not supply your desired service. If one of these is the case, you should learn how to use a proxy on Windows.
Web proxies mask the identity of the client or server by sending its IP address in place of the user’s. This replacement IP grants anonymity while sidestepping any regional restrictions. If you’re interested in online freedom and privacy, you might want to check out the use of online censorship in 175 countries.
If you’ve ever wanted to know how to use a proxy server to browse the web anonymously and access blocked websites, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will not only reveal how an anonymous proxy server works but also teach you how to set it up on Windows.
This guide will not only elucidate the functioning of proxy servers but also provide step-by-step instructions on setting them up on Windows operating systems.
What Is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the internet. For example, if you are in a school or workplace with web filtering restricting access to specific websites you want to browse, you may use a proxy server to get around them.
You’ll send requests to the proxy server instead of going directly to the website. By doing this, the proxy server allows you to visit any site on behalf of your originating IP address, all while maintaining your privacy.
Why Would You Want to Use a Proxy Server?
If you’re wondering why you would want to use a proxy server, consider the following reasons:
- Security – Proxy servers protect your privacy. They prevent third parties from tracking the websites you visit and the information you send or receive. This is particularly critical if you often use public Wi-Fi networks.
- Speed – Proxy servers can improve your internet connection speed by permitting many devices to share their bandwidth. Several individuals using a single proxy server for the same site benefit from faster internet connections.
- Accessibility – Many popular websites limit access from certain countries or areas due to local regulations. You might use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) instead of a proxy server for this purpose, but VPNs are more costly than proxies and may restrict what you can access.
What Kinds of Proxies Are There?
Types of proxy servers can be characterized by their level of anonymity, protocols they support, and session control.
Proxy Types By IP
There are three categories of proxy IPs: residential, datacenter, and mobile:
- Residential – These proxies utilize ISP-provided IP addresses linked to residential devices worldwide. This makes these proxies essentially indistinguishable from actual users, making it difficult for web pages to prohibit their use. Typically, residential proxies combo with rotating IPs, which is quite beneficial while web scraping.
- Datacenter – These proxies are housed in data centers globally and are not offered by ISPs. Compared to residential proxies, they are cheaper and quicker. But they might get banned when the user conducts traffic-intensive operations.
- Mobile – These proxies use the IPs from 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile devices. They’re just as unnoticeable as residential proxies for the target site. Mobile proxies are suitable for testing ads, apps, and customer experience. They are the rarest and most expensive type of proxy.
Proxy Types by Protocol
There are two main categories of proxy protocols; HTTP(S) and SOCKS:
- HTTP(S) – These proxies handle requests for one website at a time through the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
- SOCKS – These proxies help communicate with other servers. They rely on SOCKS protocols and enable the encapsulation of many data types, including TCP and UDP.
Proxy Types by Session
The session determines the duration of each IP used by the proxy. There are three main styles for the session type; static, rotating, and sticky:
- Static – These proxies are a single persistent IP address that remains unchanged as long as you pay for it.
- Rotating – These proxies change your IP address with each request. This isn’t good when logging into an account with a persistent cookie. Randomly changing IPs will make you look suspicious. Conversely, they’re great for web scraping; you look like a new person with every request.
- Sticky – These proxies will eventually cycle your IP address through a rotating list. However, they hold each IP for a fixed duration. This is good for temporary login sessions that need to keep the same IP for a few requests in a row without staying on the same one forever.
Additionally, when selecting a proxy, you might come across highly anonymous proxies that further secure your privacy by completely hiding your originating IP address or transparent proxies that do not modify your IP but can still control internet usage or enforce web filtering.
How To Configure a Proxy on Windows
There are three methods for configuring proxies; automatic, setup script, and manual.
Automatic Proxy Configuration
In this method, the proxy settings are automatically detected by Windows 10. It doesn’t get much easier than this.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select “Network & Internet.”
- Select Proxy.
- Turn on Automatically detect settings.
Use a Setup Script To Configure a Proxy
You might receive a script from your company network administrator to set up a proxy server, especially if it’s to be used within an internal network.
This address will be similar to a website URL, something like http://my.proxy.server:8000/.
Proxies are quick and easy to set up with the help of an automated setup script; just follow these steps:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select “Network & Internet.”
- Select Proxy.
- Turn on the Use Setup Script option.
- Input the script address and then click “Save.”
TIP: To deactivate the proxy, repeat the steps above and, in Step 4, switch the Use Setup Script setting to Off.
Manual Proxy Configuration
Alternatively, you can enter proxy details manually, especially if you’re using a free proxy or a paid individual proxy service. The IP address for a proxy server is like any other network computer, such as 192.168.1.211. Understanding proxy network creation can be important for ensuring that the proxy server is set up correctly and functioning as intended. By entering the proxy details manually, you can have greater control over the configuration and ensure that it aligns with your specific needs. Additionally, being knowledgeable about proxy network creation can help troubleshoot any issues that may arise and make adjustments as necessary.
The port could be nearly any up-to-four-digit code ranging from 80 to 8080. It purely depends on how the administrator(s) configured it.
To manually set up a proxy server on Windows 10, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select “Network & Internet.”
- Select Proxy.
- Turn on the Use a Proxy Server option in the Manual Proxy Setup section.
- Enter the IP address in the Address box.
- Enter the port number in the Port box.
- After clicking Save, close the Settings window.
TIP: To deactivate the proxy, repeat the same procedures as before, but in Step 4, switch the Use a Proxy Server setting to Off.
How To Pick the Best Service Provider for Your Requirements
There are various variables to consider while picking a proxy service. Among the most important factors are:
- The reliability of the provided IP addresses.
- Whether the provider offers high anonymity proxies or transparent proxies.
- If the provider follows ethical practices.
- IP Address Types – Whether the provider offers residential, mobile, or datacenter IPs. Your use case heavily influences which type is best for you.
- Session Types – There are three types of sessions; static, rotating, and sticky. As mentioned before, static is one unchanging IP address. Rotating sessions will cycle through multiple IP addresses. Lastly, sticky sessions will keep you on one IP address until the preset time is up.
- Protocols Used – Some proxies support HTTP(S), SOCKS, or both.
- Geo-locations – If you need access to specific geo-locations that aren’t available with your current provider, make sure your new provider supports them!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I use a proxy in my browser?
Using a proxy in your browser can be a straightforward process. Here’s a general guide on how to set up a proxy in popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge:
Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome and click on the three dots at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down and click on “Advanced” to reveal more options.
- Under the “System” section, click on “Open proxy settings.”
- This will open the “Internet Properties” window. Go to the “Connections” tab.
- Click on the “LAN settings” button.
- Check the box that says “Use a proxy server for your LAN.”
- Enter the IP address and port of your proxy server in the appropriate fields.
- Click “OK” to save your settings
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and click on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Go to Options.
- In the search bar at the top, type “proxy” to quickly find the relevant settings.
- Click on “Settings” under the “Network Settings” section.
- Choose “Manual proxy configuration.”
- Enter the IP address and port of your proxy server in the appropriate fields.
- Optionally, you can specify which websites should bypass the proxy in the “No Proxy for” field.
- Click “OK” to save your settings.
Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll down and click on “View advanced settings.”
- Under the “Proxy setup” section, click on “Open proxy settings.”
- This will open the “Internet Properties” window. Go to the “Connections” tab.
- Click on the “LAN settings” button.
- Check the box that says “Use a proxy server for your LAN.”
- Enter the IP address and port of your proxy server in the appropriate fields.
- Click “OK” to save your settings.
2. How to get a proxy IP?
Getting a proxy IP involves a few steps, whether you’re obtaining it through a proxy service provider or setting up your own proxy server. Here’s a guide on how to get a proxy IP:
From Proxy Service Providers
There are numerous proxy service providers available online. These providers offer a range of proxy types, including HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS, and residential proxies. Here’s how to get a proxy IP from a service provider:
- Research: Look for reputable proxy service providers online. Consider factors such as reliability, speed, location coverage, and customer support.
- Choose a Plan: Select a plan that suits your needs. Plans typically vary based on factors like the number of IPs, type of proxies, and duration of service.
- Sign Up: Register an account with the chosen provider and purchase your desired plan.
- Access IP: Once you’ve subscribed, the provider will give you access to a dashboard or API where you can find proxy IPs along with their respective ports and authentication details.
Setting Up Your Own Proxy Server
If you prefer more control over your proxy setup or have specific requirements, you can set up your own proxy server. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose Software: Decide whether you want to use open-source software like Squid Proxy or commercial solutions like Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway.
- Set Up Server: Deploy a server either on your own hardware or through a cloud provider like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
- Install Proxy Software: Follow the documentation provided by your chosen software to install and configure the proxy server on your machine.
- Configure IP: Once the proxy server is set up, configure it to use a specific IP address. This may involve assigning a static IP to your server or configuring the proxy software to use a particular IP from your server’s network interface.
- Test and Monitor: After setting up the proxy server, test its functionality to ensure it’s working correctly. Monitor its performance and adjust configurations as needed.
3. How to set proxy using cmd?
Setting up a proxy using Command Prompt (cmd) on Windows involves using the “netsh” command. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Press the Windows key.
- Type “cmd” into the search bar.
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results.
- Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
- Check Current Proxy Settings (Optional)
- Before making changes, you might want to check if there are existing proxy settings. Enter the following command:
netsh winhttp show proxy
- Set Proxy Server
- To set up a proxy server, use the following command:
netsh winhttp set proxy <proxy-server-address>:<port>
Replace <proxy-server-address> with the IP address or domain name of your proxy server and <port> with the port number it uses.
- Set Proxy Bypass Addresses (Optional)
- If there are specific addresses you want to bypass the proxy for, you can add them using the following command:
netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server=”<proxy-server-address>:<port>” bypass-list=”<bypass-list>”
Replace <bypass-list> with a comma-separated list of addresses or domains you want to bypass the proxy for.
- Check Updated Proxy Settings (Optional)
- After setting up the proxy, you can verify the changes using the following command:
netsh winhttp show proxy
- Reset Proxy Settings (Optional)
- If you want to remove the proxy settings, you can reset them using the following command:
netsh winhttp reset proxy
Conclusion
Now you’re equipped with knowledge about what proxy servers are and how to set one up on your Windows device. This understanding will serve you well whether you’re looking to maintain privacy, access geographically restricted content, or simply control internet usage within your company’s network.
Regardless of your reasons for wanting to use a proxy on your Windows computer, one provider that is easy to use, secure, and dependable is KocerRoxy. KocerRoxy stands out as a reliable provider, offering easy-to-use, secure, and dependable proxies suitable for various operating systems and web servers. They offer highly affordable datacenter and residential rotating proxies with the option for 15-minute sticky sessions.
