Configuring Your Proxy Settings: Proxies with Different Browsers and Operating Systems
Once more we are going to dedicate our blog post to online privacy and security. They have become equally important concerns for individuals and organizations. An effective way to enhance your online privacy and access geo-restricted content is by using proxies.Now we will delve into the world of proxies. We will explore their benefits and provide a comprehensive guide on configuring proxy settings. We will discuss actions needed when working with different operating systems and web browsers.Unlike the articles so far, this one will resemble a guide a bit more than an ordinary post. So, prepare to read some boring stuff. We will not mind if you chose to read only the paragraphs related to your browser or operational system.But beforehand…What are proxies?A proxy server is an intermediary between your device and the Internet. The proxy routes your internet traffic through the server before reaching its destination. This process masks your original IP. It enables you to access websites and services as if you were in the proxy server's geographical location.Why you should use residential proxiesResidential proxies are IP addresses assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to homeowners. These proxies offer several advantages over other types of proxies:Enhanced anonymity: Residential proxies are less likely to be detected and blocked. To websites, they appear as genuine user traffic.Improved security: Resi proxies mask your real IP address. They help protect your online identity and sensitive information from potential threats.Access to geo-restricted content: With residential proxies, you can bypass geographical restrictions. You can access content that may be unavailable in your region.Configuring Proxy on Different Operating SystemsTime to explain the step-by-step model you should adopt when conjuring your proxy settings. We should admit that the below steps are valid as of the current moment and user experience updates may turn our recommendations outdated. Anyway, regarding the different OS:Proxy Settings on Windows: Proxy Configuration in Windows SettingsOpen Settings:Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.Go to Network & Internet.Click on Proxy in the left sidebar.Manual Proxy Setup:Under Manual proxy setup, toggle the Use a proxy server switch to On.Enter the IP address and Port of your proxy server.Click Save to apply the settings Using Proxy through Command Line (cmd)Open Command Prompt:Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.Set Proxy:Use the following command to set the proxy:netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server="http=proxyaddress:port;https=proxyaddress:port"Replace proxyaddress and port with your proxy server’s address and port number.Check Proxy Settings: To verify the settings, use:netsh winhttp show proxy How to configure proxy settings for individual apps - Some applications allow you to configure proxy settings independently of the system settings. - Check the app's settings or preferences to find the proxy configuration options. Proxy settings on MacOS:Proxy Configuration through System PreferencesOpen System Preferences:Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.Select System Preferences.Network Settings:Click on Network.Select the network connection you want to configure (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the list on the left.Click on Advanced.Proxies Tab:Navigate to the Proxies tab.Here, you can configure various types of proxies (e.g., Web Proxy (HTTP), Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS), SOCKS Proxy).Check the box next to the proxy type you want to configure and enter the proxy server address and port number.If required, enter your username and password for the proxy server.Click OK and then Apply to save the settingsSetting Up Proxies for Wi-Fi and Ethernet Connections Wi-Fi:Follow the steps above to open the Networksettings and select your Wi-FiConfigure the proxy settings in the Proxiestab as described.Ethernet:Similarly, select your Ethernetconnection in the NetworkConfigure the proxy settings in the ProxiesUsing Proxy Tools on macOSProxifier:Proxifieris a popular tool that allows you to use a proxy server for applications that do not support proxy settings natively.Download and install Proxifier.Open Proxifierand go to Proxies > Add.Enter the proxy server address, port, and authentication details.Configure rules to specify which applications should use the proxy.Other Tools:There are other tools like Shadowsocksand V2Ray that can be used for advanced proxy configurations. These tools often require more technical setup but offer greater flexibility and security.Proxy Settings on Linux (Ubuntu as an Example):Proxy Configuration via GUIOpen Settings:Go to the main menu and open Settings.Network Settings:Select Network from the left sidebar.Proxy Settings:Click on Network Proxy.Manual Configuration:Switch the proxy settings to Manual.Enter the proxy details (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SOCKS host) and port numbers.Save:Click Save to apply the changesProxy Setup via TerminalTemporary Proxy for Current Session:Open a terminal and use the export command:export http_proxy="http://username:password@proxy_address:port"export https_proxy="http://username:password@proxy_address:port"export ftp_proxy="http://username:password@proxy_address:port"export no_proxy="localhost,127.0.0.1,::1"Replace username, password, proxy_address, and port with your proxy details. Proxy Configuration for Package ManagersAPT Configuration:Create or edit the apt.conf file: sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.confAdd the following lines:Acquire::http::Proxy "http://username:password@proxy_address:port";Acquire::https::Proxy "http://username:password@proxy_address:port";Save and close the file. Configuring Proxy Settings in Different Web BrowsersDifferent browsers work almost identically with proxies. Still, we will reveal some general steps related to each of them: Google Chrome:Configuring Proxies through Chrome SettingsOpen Chrome Settings and click on "Advanced."Under the "System" section, click on "Open proxy settings."Configure the desired proxy settings in the operating system's network settings.Restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.Mozilla Firefox:Setting Proxy through Firefox Preferences 2. Firefox's Built-In Proxy OptionsOpen Firefox Preferences and scroll down to the "Network Settings" section.Click on "Settings" and choose the desired proxy option (e.g., manual proxy configuration or auto-detect settings).Enter the proxy details and save the changes.Proxy Extensions for Firefox:Firefox offers several proxy extensions, such as FoxyProxy or Proxy SwitchyOmega.These extensions provide additional features and make it easier to manage and switch between different proxy settings.Microsoft Edge:Configuring Proxy in Edge SettingsOpen Edge Settings and click on "System."Under the "Proxy setup" section, click on "Open proxy settings."Configure the desired proxy settings in the operating system's network settings.Using Proxy Extensions for EdgeEdge supports various proxy extensions available in the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store.Install a proxy extension, such as Proxy SwitchyOmega or FoxyProxy, and configure the proxy settings within the extension.Safari:Proxy Setup in Safari for macOS - Open Safari Preferences and click on "Advanced." - Enable the "Show Develop menu in menu bar" option. - From the Develop menu, select "Proxy Settings" and configure the desired proxy settings. Safari Extensions for Proxy Management - Safari has a limited selection of proxy extensions compared to other browsers. - However, you can use system-wide proxy tools like Charles Proxy or Proxifier to…
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