21 Dec

Setting Up and Using a Proxy Server – Step-by-Step Instructions

Setting up and using a proxy server allows the user to register and work on various resources with minimal risk of blocking. Access to the sites is anonymous. To successfully use a proxy, it must be properly configured. Otherwise, you will not be able to connect to the destination website. You can use a proxy on any stationary or mobile device that has access to the network. Customization is possible on devices running Windows, MAC OS, Linux, Android, iOS. The type of browser also doesn’t matter.

The main advantages of using a proxy

Connecting to network resources and sites on the Internet from a PC, laptop, tablet without using a proxy server is not always the best option. Some websites are inaccessible, users may face blocking. There are difficulties with the promotion of groups on social networks, the publication of a large number of ads on specialized boards. Using a proxy provides the following advantages:

• the physical location of the user’s computer or mobile device is not visible on the network, and the real IP is also hidden;
• by connecting to resources using a virtual IP, it is possible to avoid blocking, there is an opportunity for anonymous communication in the network;
• if the content is blocked when connecting from a physical IP, you can bypass the ban using a virtual address;
• caching data by a proxy server often allows you to increase the speed of work and reduce the amount of traffic consumed;
• work tasks related to the promotion of accounts and groups, data parsing are effectively solved when using an anonymous IP;
• Users of corporate resources use proxy servers to bypass prohibitions and restrictions on downloading content and viewing resources with limited access.

These reasons make proxy one of the best options for connecting to the network for personal or work purposes. To use a proxy, you need to make the correct settings according to the instructions below.

Ways to set up proxies on PCs and mobile devices with different operating systems

For users who connect to the network from a laptop or desktop PC, the proxy is configured in the system configurator. Performing a number of simple operations takes no more than 5 minutes. Installation of additional software is not required, after configuration, the owner gets the opportunity to work through one proxy. To use the pool of anonymous addresses, you will need to install specialized software.

How to set up a proxy server on a Windows 7 PC

The system settings of a laptop or desktop PC running Windows 7 provide the necessary tools for configuring the proxy. The procedure is as follows:

• the user goes to the Start menu and selects Control Panel;
• the phrase “Browser Properties” is typed in the search bar, most often it is enough to enter the first syllable or word, after which the system will give a hint;
• in the section that opens, select the menu item “Properties: Internet” and then the “Connection” tab;
• the user needs to click on the “Network Settings” icon and activate the “Use a proxy server for local connections” checkbox;
• the menu additionally indicates the IP address and port of connection of the proxy server, the data is saved;
• Additional features are available for selection and customization. The user can use a proxy to connect to any resources or exclude the use of proxies when working on certain sites.

Such a scheme of actions is standard for the Windows 7 operating system. Any user can set up a proxy, it is only important to know the IP address of the server and the connection port.

How to set up a proxy server on a Windows 8 PC

The Windows 8 operating system can also be used to work on the network through a proxy. Setting up a proxy takes a minimum of time and requires the user to follow several consecutive steps:

• to configure the PC, you need to go to the system settings, for this you press the keyboard shortcut “Windows + C”, go to Settings;
• the next step is to select the Change PC settings button to change the default settings, then go to the Network submenu;
• Proxy settings become available to the user. At the bottom of the section, you need to activate the “Manual proxy setup” or “Manual proxy setup” button, depending on the OS version;
• to configure the proxy server, the appropriate flag is activated, the IP address and connection port are specified explicitly. You can configure exceptions. In this case, the addresses of sites that will be accessed bypassing the proxy are indicated;

The settings are applied after the data is saved. Customizations typically take less than 5 minutes to complete, especially if you don’t need to configure exceptions.

How to set up a proxy server on a Windows 10 PC

For laptops and desktop PCs with the Windows 10 operating system installed, the proxy server is configured according to a similar principle. It only takes a few steps:

• the user types the word “proxy” in the search bar located next to the main menu;
• then the “Proxy Server Settings” menu is activated, the “Manual proxy settings” item is selected at the bottom of the page that opens;
• the user is required to activate the toggle switch for manual proxy settings, in the tab that opens, specify the IP address and connection port;
• The following are the sites that are accessed bypassing the proxy server from the physical IP of the computer.
• Saving the data completes the setup.

The user is required to verify that the configuration is correct. To do this, just go to any resource that was previously blocked or inaccessible.

How to set up a proxy server on macOS and Linux devices

For users of MacBooks and other Apple devices, setting up hardware to work through proxies also takes a minimum of time. First of all, you need to go to the main menu and select “System Preferences” and the “Network” submenu. Most often, the connection to the Internet is carried out through the Wi-Fi module, so the appropriate service, the “Add-ons” menu and the “Proxy” tab are selected. In the window that opens, select the protocol for the proxy, specify the IP address, connection port, login and password for authorization. The setup is completed after the data is saved. When using the standard Safari browser, the user needs to go to the Preferences menu and the Add-ons submenu. Next to the “Proxy” item, you need to select “Change settings” and go to the “Network” section. After entering the necessary proxy parameters, the data is saved, the user gets access to the network through an anonymous IP.

How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Linux Devices

Self-configuration of a proxy on a PC with Linux OS installed is more difficult than when working on Windows of any version. Proxy parameters are set using the command line. It is best to use the services of a qualified specialist. When self-configuring, all the necessary materials and instructions are provided in the network.

Configuring a proxy server in popular browsers

Most users access the Internet using standard or additionally installed browsers. The most popular of them are Chrome, Opera, Yandex browser, Safari. They also use software such as Explorer, Firefox, Tor, Edge.

Set up a proxy server in Google Chrome

Owners of PCs, laptops, mobile devices working with the Chrome browser can configure proxies in the following way:

• after launching the application, press the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+H” and select the “Clear History” menu. The “Delete data” button must be activated;
• the phrase “Proxy” is entered in the search bar. In the proposed list of options, select “Open proxy server settings for the computer”;
• the user is redirected to the system settings menu, moves to the bottom of the page, activates the “Use a proxy server” switch;
• IP address, connection port, and other settings are entered into certain fields, and the corresponding button is pressed to save the changes.

If necessary, the user specifies a list of resources that are accessed bypassing the proxy. You can also prohibit the use of proxies to access internal sites and pages.

How to set up a proxy server in the Opera browser

The proxy configuration technology in the Opera browser is almost identical to similar operations for Google Chrome. In an open browser, use the keyboard shortcut “Alt+P” to clear the query history. To do this, in the “Privacy and Security” section, select the “Clear browsing history” action. In the search for settings, enter the word “Proxy” and activate the action “Open proxy server settings for computer”. Configuration is carried out manually. To do this, enter the IP address and port for connection at the bottom of the page, and specify exceptions. Depending on the variant of the operating system, the procedure may differ slightly, but the principle remains the same.

How to set up a proxy server in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Yandex Browser and other specialized software

To clear the cache of Internet Explorer, use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Shift+Del”. The delete check box is selected in all items except for web form data and passwords. Proxy configuration and necessary exceptions are available in the “Browser Properties” section, the “Connections” menu, the “Network Settings” submenu. Additionally, you can specify separate proxies for HTTP, Secure, FTP, and Socks protocols. The configuration of the Firefox browser is also carried out after clearing the cache. The selection of the configuration menu is carried out in the search bar. The user selects the “Manual proxy configuration” option, fills in the fields of the IP address, connection port, and specifies additional options for bypassing the proxy. Once the data is stored, requests for network resources go through an anonymous IP. For the popular browser from Yandex, clearing the history of operations is carried out in the “Settings” menu. To configure the proxy, type the word “Proxy” in the search bar and then the item “Proxy server settings”. Data about the server, addresses for exclusion are entered in the system settings menu, which opens after selecting this item. A proxy server is configured in other popular browsers in similar ways. Usually it takes a few minutes to set up. If you need to write exceptions, the process is slightly longer in time. Every PC user can make a setup. This does not require special knowledge.

How to set up a proxy on a smartphone or tablet

Many users connect to the Internet using mobile devices. On tablets and smartphones, you can also take advantage of an anonymous IP address. Connect to resources and avoid blocking. If the mobile device works with the Android OS, the proxy is configured in the following way:

• the user goes to the Wi-Fi network settings and selects the desired connection name;
• in the “Advanced” menu, the “Manual” option is activated;
• then you need to enter the data about the proxy server used and click the “Connect” button.

A tablet or smartphone must have one of the popular browsers installed. You need to find the necessary menu in the software settings, enter the server parameters and save the data. In this case, work through an anonymous IP becomes available. For Apple tablets and smartphones running iOS, the setup will be similar. The user goes to the Wi-Fi configuration section, selects the desired network, then the manual proxy configuration flag. In the appropriate fields, enter server data, login and password, if necessary. Once the data is stored, requests to resources go through the proxy server.

How to Set Up a Proxy on a Router

If the Internet connection is made from home or office, a router is most often used for this purpose. Depending on the type of equipment, the procedure for configuring a proxy is different. In some cases, the user can perform the setup himself, but most often the services of a specialist are required. The standard technology is as follows:

• The user goes to the router’s settings menu using the username and password provided.
• the proxy’s IP address and network credentials are explicitly specified in the corresponding menu.
• switching to the router’s local network is carried out through the WAN interface. PCs and mobile devices send requests to the router, which redirects information to the resource from an anonymous IP.

With any configuration option, the user can quickly refuse to connect to the network through a proxy. To do this, go to the settings of the browser, operating system and uncheck the “Use a proxy server” flag. If you need to bypass prohibitions and avoid blocking again, the proxy is promptly activated.