What is a proxy?
It is easy to explain using an analogy, is like controlling a robot to do something for you.
Proxy has become very famous on internet connections. This because it gives user privacy when navigating in the internet. For instance, if you are navigating through a proxy connection and one site gets "your" IP address, it will get the Server's IP address rather than yours.
How to use a proxy connection?
There are 3 ways you can use proxy connections:
- Making a connection through a specialized web page.
- Setting a proxy connection in your browser manually.
- Using specialized software.
Most people use the first and third option because they think it is difficult to do it manually but in fact it can be the easiest way. I will show you how to do it in the next sections.
Using Proxies
Setting a proxy connection in your browser manually
Web Browsers have had the option of using proxy connections for a long time and with the appearance of Add-ons and extensions, configuring these types of connections have become very easy.
First we need to get the Proxy Address and Port.
To do this we need to search for Proxy Lists.
Google Proxy List, you will find thousands of Web pages giving you free proxy addresses. For instance, you can goHERE.
And copy a Proxy Address and Port.
For example, Address: 210.253.208.91 Port: 80 (This is a server from Japan).
If you want to configure a proxy connection the old way you need to open your web browser properties, I will use Internet Explorer because it shares proxy options with Google Chrome. In fact you won't be able to configure a proxy in Chrome without the help of an extension.(See my Chrome Extensions Article)
Web Browsers have had the option of using proxy connections for a long time and with the appearance of Add-ons and extensions, configuring these types of connections have become very easy.
First we need to get the Proxy Address and Port.
To do this we need to search for Proxy Lists.
Google Proxy List, you will find thousands of Web pages giving you free proxy addresses. For instance, you can goHERE.
And copy a Proxy Address and Port.
For example, Address: 210.253.208.91 Port: 80 (This is a server from Japan).
If you want to configure a proxy connection the old way you need to open your web browser properties, I will use Internet Explorer because it shares proxy options with Google Chrome. In fact you won't be able to configure a proxy in Chrome without the help of an extension.(See my Chrome Extensions Article)
- Open Internet Explorer
- Go to Tools/Internet Options/ then Select the Connection Tab and Click on Lan Settings
- Type your proxy server address and port.
*Optional: You can check the "Bypass proxy server for local addresses." This is to stop using the proxy connection to connect to computers in your local network.
Alternative you can use an add-on and extension to switch between your connection or other proxies.
In Chrome:
Alternative you can use an add-on and extension to switch between your connection or other proxies.
In Chrome:
- Install Proxy Switchy! Extension
- Right click the Proxy Switchy! World Icon and select Options. Type the proxy address and port and save the connection as a profile.
- Left Click the Proxy Switchy! World Icon and select the profile to start using that proxy connection. You can switch back clicking on "Direct Connection".
You can do the same thing in Firefox with an Add-on called "FoxyProxy".
An advantage of using manual configurations is that you can select an specific country proxy server to surf the internet.
You will probably realized that you can set other settings when you configure a proxy connection. You can research for these more advanced parameters.
Making a proxy connection through a specialized web page
Making a manual configuration can have great advantages specially if you are trying to get around some firewall that is blocking your connection.
Some people don't want to waist any time configuring, and want to have another option.
There are many sites that offer this service. Some of this sites use a VPN connection which has a similar function to proxy connections but work in a different way, they are safer too.
An advantage of using manual configurations is that you can select an specific country proxy server to surf the internet.
You will probably realized that you can set other settings when you configure a proxy connection. You can research for these more advanced parameters.
Making a proxy connection through a specialized web page
Making a manual configuration can have great advantages specially if you are trying to get around some firewall that is blocking your connection.
Some people don't want to waist any time configuring, and want to have another option.
There are many sites that offer this service. Some of this sites use a VPN connection which has a similar function to proxy connections but work in a different way, they are safer too.
Here is an example of a site that lets you surf through a proxy:
Zend2
Zend2
When you enter this site you will only have to type the internet address you want to access through a proxy server an click Go!
There are plenty of these sites, most of them are free and probably give you the option to have better features with the cost of a fee.
A disadvantage of using this option is that you will be tied to a specific country proxy server.
Using specialized software.
You can research for this type of software. Personally, I think this software is for more advanced users, it will let you do everything as the other two options and more. Most of these types of software have a limited free use, or come with restrictions unless you pay for them.
For a regular user, the other two options will be enough. Still, if you are interested in trying one, here are some options:
Proxy Way
Wingate Proxy Server
Some people utilize Proxies for security reasons, other to bypass firewalls and country restrictions. I suggest you use Proxy Connections in a good way that does not violate any law.
There are plenty of these sites, most of them are free and probably give you the option to have better features with the cost of a fee.
A disadvantage of using this option is that you will be tied to a specific country proxy server.
Using specialized software.
You can research for this type of software. Personally, I think this software is for more advanced users, it will let you do everything as the other two options and more. Most of these types of software have a limited free use, or come with restrictions unless you pay for them.
For a regular user, the other two options will be enough. Still, if you are interested in trying one, here are some options:
Proxy Way
Wingate Proxy Server
Some people utilize Proxies for security reasons, other to bypass firewalls and country restrictions. I suggest you use Proxy Connections in a good way that does not violate any law.
The disadvantages of using a proxy is that the connection speed will probably be very slow.
Now you can surf the internet safer.
Now you can surf the internet safer.
