What Is a Proxy Server Setting?

In many computing environments, a proxy server is needed to browse the Internet. To use the proxy server, its settings must be configured in the web browser.

Identification

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between web browsers and the Internet.

Function

A web browser contacts a proxy server instead connecting directly to the Internet. The proxy server forwards a request from the browser to the Internet and forwards the response from a website to the web browser.

Identification

The web browser needs to know the host name of the proxy server as well as the network port number it is listening on to connect to the proxy server.

Security

In many cases, a user name and password are required to access the proxy server.

Expert Insight

A Proxy Auto Config file is sometimes used by the browser to fetch settings for the proxy server so administrators can change proxy settings without changing them on every computer.