How to Use a Public Proxy Server

A public proxy can carry your Internet connections under another identity.

Proxy servers can be used to evade Website blocking software on a network, or to hide the origin of a request to a server. If the proxy server is needed to create anonymity, then the same proxy server can be used and embedded in the browser settings so it is used automatically on all traffic.

Instructions

Find a Proxy server

1. Decide whether to use a free proxy server or a paid one. A free server needs no subscription, but may not offer security (if that is the reason you need a proxy). Research available proxy servers and find one that addresses your needs (see Resources).

2. Note down the IP Address of the server. This will be given on the proxy service's Web Page. There will also be a port number. If the port number is not shown specifically, the IP Address will be shown with a colon at the end and then a number after the colon. Don't use the colon, separate out the two sides, these are the IP Address and the Port number.

3. Choose a Proxy server located in your country. A distant proxy will require all traffic to travel far.

Set up for Internet Explorer

1. Click "Tools" on the menu bar and select "Internet Options." A pop-up will appear.

2. Click on the "Connections" tab. In this page click on the "LAN Settings" button. This will cause another pop-up window to appear.

3. Check the "Use a proxy server" box. Input fields will be activated. Enter the IP Address and Port Number of your chosen proxy server.

Set up for Google Chrome

1. Click on the wrench symbol at the end of the address bar. "Select "Options." A pop-up will appear.

2. Click on the "Under the Hood" tab. In this page click on the "Change proxy settings" button. This will cause another pop-up window to appear.

3. Click on the "LAN settings button in the "Connections" tab. Another pop-up window will appear.

4. Check the "Use a proxy server" box. Input fields will be activated. Enter the IP address and port number of your chosen proxy server.

5. Save these settings. You can now connect to a website through the proxy.

Set up for Mozilla Firefox

1. Click on the "Tools in the menu bar. "Select "Options." A pop-up will appear.

2. Click on the "Advanced" option and select the "Network" tab. In the "Connection" section, click on the "Settings" button. This will cause another pop-up window to appear.

3. Click on the "LAN settings button in the "Connections" tab. Another pop-up window will appear.

4. Push the "Manual proxy configuration" radio button. Input fields will be activated. Enter the IP address and port number of your chosen proxy server in the "HTTP Proxy" fields. Check the "Use this proxy server for all protocols" box. With Firefox you can differentiate the proxy used according to the function required. For the time being use the same proxy for all functions.

5. Save these settings. Test the connection to see if the proxy is being used. Before you set up the service go to an IP detection site. Check the IP address detected. After setup, visit the same site again. It should detect a different IP address. See Resources for some IP detection sites.

References

• ROS Instrument: Hiding Your IP Address

Resources

• ROS Instrument: Raw dump of public open proxy database
• Surfinwork
• Hide My Ass: Free Proxy List
• Stay Invisible: Test
• All Nettools: Proxy Test