What are proxies and how to use them

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

This technology will help you access blocked resources and provide anonymity on the Web.

What is a proxy server

When you use the Internet normally, your device connects directly to the application and site servers. As a result, they recognize your IP address, location and other data - that is, you lose your anonymity on the Web. In addition, the owners of applications and sites or the provider can block your access to the materials of interest.

Fortunately, instead of a direct connection, you can use an intermediary proxy server that exchanges data between the device and Internet resource servers. It masks your data from the owners of the applications and sites you visit, which prevents them from blocking you by IP. In addition, proxy connectivity allows you to bypass the restrictions imposed by the provider itself.

However, proxy servers provide only relative anonymity on the Internet.

With special equipment and skills, interested parties will be able to track you. Nevertheless, using a proxy, you can get access to many blocked sites and hide your IP from them.

How a proxy server differs from a VPN

Both technologies help bypass blocking and protect user privacy. But VPN is more advanced technically.

If you do not mind installing additional software and are ready to pay more to increase the speed of processes and the degree of anonymity, and also want to protect the transmitted data as much as possible, choose a VPN.

If you only need a way to access blocked sites and a simple anonymizer that does not provide for reliable data storage, then it will be enough to set up a proxy server. This does not require any special software. Plus, in most cases, paid proxies are cheaper than paid VPNs. But if you need quality service without restrictions, then in both cases you will have to pay.

Basic types of proxy servers

• CGI- a simple proxy server for web surfing. Unlike the others, this type does not require any configuration. You go to a special site, enter the desired URL - and the proxy opens this address in the browser. At the same time, CGIs often display pages incorrectly and operate only within an open tab, which is not always convenient.
• HTTP- a proxy server designed to work with the hypertext transfer protocol. Simply put, it is suitable for full-fledged website browsing. If you connect such a proxy in the operating system settings, it will be active for all browsers at once until you disable it.
• SHTTP- proxy server with SSL encryption support. It differs from the previous type in that it allows you to view protected sites (their addresses begin with
• SOCKS4, SOCKS5 - support additional data transfer protocols. May be needed if you want to configure a proxy server not only for the browser, but also for individual applications.

How to use a proxy server

CGI proxies are easy to find on the Internet using any search engine - from time to time providers block them, but new ones appear. You can try to find an option that suits you on resources like. As mentioned above, you do not need any settings - just open the proxy server site and enter the site address in the appropriate field.

However, to use any other type of proxy server, it must first be bound to the device. To do this, you just need to find out the IP address and port of the proxy, and then enter these data into the operating system settings.

Proxy lists with their addresses and ports can be found on resources like or Free Proxy List. Many servers are available for free, but some of them will be slow and completely inoperative - be prepared for this.

After selecting a server of any country from the list, copy its IP address and port. Then just insert this data according to one of the instructions.

How to set up a proxy server

In most cases, an OS-enabled proxy is used for all programs using the connection. The exception is Windows 7, where settings are specified only for Internet Explorer.

How to set up a proxy server in Windows 10 and Windows 8

1. Go to Start → Settings (gear icon) → Network and Internet → Proxy Server.
2. Find the "Manual proxy settings" block, activate the "Use proxy manually" option in it.
3. Enter the address and port and then click "Save".
4. To disable the proxy, simply deactivate the "Use proxy server" option.

How to set up a proxy server in Windows 7 and older

1. Open "Control Panel", click "Network and Internet" → "Internet Options". Or use the combination Win + R, enter the command

   Inetcpl.cpl

2. and press Enter.
3. In the menu that opens, go to the "Connections" tab and click "Network Settings".
4. Check the "Use a proxy server …" option.
5. Enter the server address and port, then click OK.
6. To disable proxy, uncheck "Use proxy server …".

How to set up a proxy server on macOS

1. Open the Apple menu and go to System Preferences → Network.
2. Highlight an active connection and click Advanced.
3. Click the Proxies tab and check in the left pane one or more types of proxy servers that you intend to use.
4. Enter the server address and port for each selected type and click OK.
5. To disable the proxy server, uncheck the boxes next to the proxy types.

How to set up a proxy server in Android

Android's interface differs on different devices, but the approximate procedure for most of them will be as follows:

1. Open Settings and click Network & Internet → Wi-Fi.
2. Choose your network. In pure Android, at the top of the screen, click the "Change" → "Advanced settings" icon. In MIUI, click on the arrow next to the desired network and the desired network and click "Proxy".
3. Click on "Proxy Server" and select the option with manual configuration. Enter proxy settings.
4. Click "Save".
5. To cancel the proxy action, enter the settings again, find the corresponding item and disable it.

How to set up a proxy server in iOS

1. Open Wi-Fi settings and click on the round icon with the letter i next to an active connection.
2. Click on Proxy Settings and select Manual.
3. Enter the server address and port and then click "Save".
4. To disable the proxy, look for Proxy Settings again and select Off.

The text of the article was last updated on March 26, 2021.