How to set a proxy server in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera
Proxy servers are intermediaries between your PC and the internet. When your browser uses a proxy server, the websites you access see the proxy as the actual visitor instead of your computer. This can improve your online privacy and security while also helping you bypass content restrictions on the internet. Proxies are also used by enterprises to monitor, filter, and secure what their employees browse on the internet, in an effort to ensure that the accessed content respects the company’s policies. Read this tutorial to find out how to change the Google Chrome proxy settings, the Mozilla Firefox proxy settings, as well as the steps to configure a proxy for Microsoft Edge and Opera in Windows 10. Let’s get started:
Quick Steps
How to change the proxy settings in Chrome
Open Google Chrome and click or tap on the “Customize and control Google Chrome” button from the browser’s top-right corner.
Then, click or tap on Settings.
From the column on the left, click or tap on Advanced to open a dropdown menu and access the System tab.
Then, on the right, click or tap on “Open your computer’s proxy settings. ”
This opens the proxy settings in Windows 10, where you have two options: configure the proxy settings with a script address or use a manually selected proxy server.
Press Save to apply your proxy settings.
NOTE: For more details, you can also check out our guide on what a proxy server is.
Chrome does not offer any unique configuration options for setting a proxy server because it uses the same proxy settings as Windows 10. To change the Google Chrome proxy settings, first, click or tap on the “Customize and control Google Chrome” button from the browser’s top-right corner. Its icon looks like three vertical dots. Then, click or tap on Settings.
Access Chrome’s Settings
From the column on the left, click or tap on Advanced to open a dropdown menu and access the System tab. Then, on the right, click or tap on “Open your computer’s proxy settings. ”
Open your computer’s proxy settings to set a proxy for Chrome
This opens the proxy settings in Windows 10, where you have two options: configure the proxy settings with a script address or use a manually selected proxy server. We offer more information, as well as detailed instructions for each one in our guide on configuring proxy server settings in Windows 10.
Configure Windows 10’s proxy server settings
If you don’t feel like reading our dedicated tutorial, here’s a summary of the instructions for manually setting up a proxy in Windows 10:
Enable the switch under “Use a proxy server. ”
Enter the address for the proxy server and the port you want to use.
Press Save to apply your settings.
Chrome uses the proxy settings from Windows 10
TIP: If you’re concerned about your online privacy, a VPN is another way to go. Find out when to use a proxy server and when to use a VPN.
How to change the Mozilla Firefox proxy settings
If you want your browser to use a different proxy server than Windows 10, Mozilla Firefox is a great option. You can easily change the Firefox proxy settings to send the web browser traffic through a proxy. To begin, click or tap on the hamburger button in the browser’s top-right corner and then on Settings.
Access the Firefox Settings
This takes you to the General settings. Scroll down to the bottom of this tab to the Network Settings section. Then, click or tap on the Settings button.
Access Settings to configure how Firefox connects to the internet
In the Connection Settings pop-up, you can find the proxy-related options. By default, Firefox is set to “Use system proxy settings, ” meaning that it uses the proxy server settings that you have configured in Windows 10. However, there are other alternatives.
Firefox’s default is to Use system proxy settings
To configure a separate proxy server for Firefox, one option is to select “Manual proxy configuration” and enter the proxy details. Unlike other browsers, Firefox allows you to set different proxy servers and ports for various kinds of traffic, like HTTP, SSL, FTP, and so on.
You can also select the “Automatic proxy configuration URL” option and then insert the address to your PAC file. In this case, Firefox downloads a file with all the required information to use the configured proxy server.
Select Automatic proxy configuration URL to set up a Firefox proxy
If you don’t want to use a proxy server for certain addresses, you can add them separated by a comma (, ) in the “No proxy for” text box. To save your settings, click OK.
How to set up a proxy in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge uses the Windows 10 proxy settings, just like Google Chrome. To change them, start Microsoft Edge, click or tap on the “Settings and more” (… ) button in the top-right corner, and access Settings.
Access the Microsoft Edge Settings
Access the System tab from the left column, and then, on the right, click or tap on “Open your computer’s proxy settings. ”
Open your computer’s proxy settings to set an Edge proxy
This opens the Windows 10 proxy settings, where you can set up the connection with a script address or use a manually selected proxy server. For more details, as well as instructions for each of these two options, read our guide on configuring proxy server settings in Windows 10.
TIP: You can also set an Android proxy server for Wi-Fi on your smartphone or tablet.
How to set a proxy server in Opera
If you’re using Opera, its proxy settings are the ones you configured in Windows 10, just like Chrome’s and Edge’s. Click or tap on the Menu button in the top left corner and then on Settings.
Access Opera’s Settings
In the Advanced settings, scroll down to System, and then click or tap on “Open your computer’s proxy settings. ”
Open the Windows 10 proxy settings
This takes you to the Windows 10 proxy settings, and you can configure them using a script address or a manually selected proxy server. To get more details and instructions for both scenarios, read our guide on configuring proxy server settings in Windows 10.
TIP: Did you know you can also use a proxy server for Wi-Fi on an iPhone or iPad?
Why did you set up a browser proxy server?
Now you know how to set a proxy server for all major browsers. Before you close this guide, we’d like to know your reasons for using a proxy. Do you worry about your privacy, or are you trying to access restricted content? Or maybe you don’t have a choice, as your network administrator mandates the change? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments.
How to Change or Disable Your Proxy in Chrome | ExpressVPN
Last updated: August 12, 2021Too frustrated to read this page? Talk to a HumanA proxy server is an intermediary between your computer and the internet, often used to hide your real location and allow you to access websites that would otherwise be blocked. However, not all proxies offer the same privacy protections as a VPN. When you’re using ExpressVPN, you don’t need to run an additional you’re having trouble connecting to the internet, it’s possible that you are using a proxy The steps below will not help you access online streaming services. If you’re unable to access a service because a VPN or proxy is detected, please contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate instructions on how to disable your proxy in Chrome, please refer to the section appropriate to your computer. I am on…Windows MacDisable proxy for Chrome on WindowsClick the Chrome Menu in the browser toolbar. Select Settings. Click Advanced. In the System section, click Open your computer’s proxy settings. (For Windows 7 and Windows 8 or 8. 1 users, this will open the Internet Properties window. ) Under Automatic proxy setup, toggle Automatic detect settings Off. Under Manual proxy setup, toggle Use a proxy server Off. Click help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topDisable proxy for Chrome on MacClick the Chrome Menu on the browser toolbar. Then select Settings. At the bottom of the screen, click Advanced. Under System, click Open your computer’s proxy settings. This will open the Network Settings window. In the Proxies tab, under Select a protocol to configure, uncheck every protocol. Click OK. You can close the settings windows help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topFurther Issues? If you have other issues, including not being able to access certain websites and services, contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate to topWas this article helpful?
What is a Proxy Server and How Does it Work? – Varonis
The actual nuts and bolts of how the internet works are not something people often stop to consider. The problem with that is the inherent danger of data security breaches and identity theft that come along with the cute dog pictures, 24-hour news updates, and great deals online.
But what actually happens when you browse the web? You might be using a proxy server at your office, on a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or you could be one of the more tech-savvy who always use a proxy server of some kind or another.
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What’s a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is any machine that translates traffic between networks or protocols. It’s an intermediary server separating end-user clients from the destinations that they browse. Proxy servers provide varying levels of functionality, security, and privacy depending on your use case, needs, or company policy.
If you’re using a proxy server, traffic flows through the proxy server on its way to the address you requested. The request then comes back through that same proxy server (there are exceptions to this rule), and then the proxy server forwards the data received from the website to you.
If that’s all it does, why bother with a proxy server? Why not just go straight from to the website and back?
Modern proxy servers do much more than forward web requests, all in the name of data security and network performance. Proxy servers act as a firewall and web filter, provide shared network connections, and cache data to speed up common requests. A good proxy server keeps users and the internal network protected from the bad stuff that lives out in the wild internet. Lastly, proxy servers can provide a high level of privacy.
How Does a Proxy Server Operate?
Every computer on the internet needs to have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) Address. Think of this IP address as your computer’s street address. Just as the post office knows to deliver your mail to your street address, the internet knows how to send the correct data to the correct computer by the IP address.
A proxy server is basically a computer on the internet with its own IP address that your computer knows. When you send a web request, your request goes to the proxy server first. The proxy server then makes your web request on your behalf, collects the response from the web server, and forwards you the web page data so you can see the page in your browser.
When the proxy server forwards your web requests, it can make changes to the data you send and still get you the information that you expect to see. A proxy server can change your IP address, so the web server doesn’t know exactly where you are in the world. It can encrypt your data, so your data is unreadable in transit. And lastly, a proxy server can block access to certain web pages, based on IP address.
What are Forward Proxies
A forward proxy server sits between the client and an external network. It evaluates the outbound requests and takes action on them before relaying that request to the external resource.
Most proxy services that you’re likely to encounter are forward proxies. Virtual Private Networks and Web content filters are both examples of forward proxies.
What are Reverse Proxies
A reverse proxy server sits between a network and multiple other internal resources. A large website might have dozens of servers that collectively serve requests from a single domain. To accomplish that, client requests would resolve to a machine that would act as a load balancer. The load balancer would then proxy that traffic back to the individual servers.
Some popular open source reverse proxies are:
Varnish
Squid
Why Should You Use a Proxy Server?
There are several reasons organizations and individuals use a proxy server.
To control internet usage of employees and children: Organizations and parents set up proxy servers to control and monitor how their employees or kids use the internet. Most organizations don’t want you looking at specific websites on company time, and they can configure the proxy server to deny access to specific sites, instead redirecting you with a nice note asking you to refrain from looking at said sites on the company network. They can also monitor and log all web requests, so even though they might not block the site, they know how much time you spend cyberloafing.
Bandwidth savings and improved speeds: Organizations can also get better overall network performance with a good proxy server. Proxy servers can cache (save a copy of the website locally) popular websites – so when you ask for, the proxy server will check to see if it has the most recent copy of the site, and then send you the saved copy. What this means is that when hundreds of people hit at the same time from the same proxy server, the proxy server only sends one request to This saves bandwidth for the company and improves the network performance.
Privacy benefits: Individuals and organizations alike use proxy servers to browse the internet more privately. Some proxy servers will change the IP address and other identifying information the web request contains. This means the destination server doesn’t know who actually made the original request, which helps keeps your personal information and browsing habits more private.
Improved security: Proxy servers provide security benefits on top of the privacy benefits. You can configure your proxy server to encrypt your web requests to keep prying eyes from reading your transactions. You can also prevent known malware sites from any access through the proxy server. Additionally, organizations can couple their proxy server with a Virtual Private Network (VPN), so remote users always access the internet through the company proxy. A VPN is a direct connection to the company network that companies provide to external or remote users. By using a VPN, the company can control and verify that their users have access to the resources (email, internal data) they need, while also providing a secure connection for the user to protect the company data.
Get access to blocked resources: Proxy servers allow users to circumvent content restrictions imposed by companies or governments. Is the local sportsball team’s game blacked out online? Log into a proxy server on the other side of the country and watch from there. The proxy server makes it look like you are in California, but you actually live in North Carolina. Several governments around the world closely monitor and restrict access to the internet, and proxy servers offer their citizens access to an uncensored internet.
Now that you have an idea about why organizations and individuals use a proxy server, take a look at the risks below.
Proxy Server Risks
You do need to be cautious when you choose a proxy server: a few common risks can negate any of the potential benefits:
Free proxy server risks
You know the old saying “you get what you pay for? ” Well, using one of the many free proxy server services can be quite risky, even the services using ad-based revenue models.
Free usually means they aren’t investing heavily in backend hardware or encryption. You’ll likely see performance issues and potential data security issues. If you ever find a completely “free” proxy server, tread very carefully. Some of those are just looking to steal your credit card numbers.
Browsing history log
The proxy server has your original IP address and web request information possibly unencrypted, saved locally. Make sure to check if your proxy server logs and saves that data – and what kind of retention or law enforcement cooperation policies they follow.
If you expect to use a proxy server for privacy, but the vendor is just logging and selling your data you might not be receiving the expected value for the service.
No encryption
If you use a proxy server without encryption, you might as well not use a proxy server. No encryption means you are sending your requests as plain text. Anyone who is listening will be able to pull usernames and passwords and account information really easily. Make sure whatever proxy server you use provides full encryption capability.
Types of Proxy Servers
Not all proxy servers work the same way. It’s important to understand exactly what functionality you’re getting from the proxy server, and ensure that the proxy server meets your use case.
Transparent Proxy
A transparent proxy tells websites that it is a proxy server and it will still pass along your IP address, identifying you to the web server. Businesses, public libraries, and schools often use transparent proxies for content filtering: they’re easy to set up both client and server side.
Anonymous Proxy
An anonymous proxy will identify itself as a proxy, but it won’t pass your IP address to the website – this helps prevent identity theft and keep your browsing habits private. They can also prevent a website from serving you targeted marketing content based on your location. For example, if knows you live in Raleigh, NC, they will show you news stories they feel are relevant to Raleigh, NC. Browsing anonymously will prevent a website from using some ad targeting techniques, but is not a 100% guarantee.
Distorting proxy
A distorting proxy server passes along a false IP address for you while identifying itself as a proxy. This serves similar purposes as the anonymous proxy, but by passing a false IP address, you can appear to be from a different location to get around content restrictions.
High Anonymity proxy
High Anonymity proxy servers periodically change the IP address they present to the web server, making it very difficult to keep track of what traffic belongs to who. High anonymity proxies, like the TOR Network, is the most private and secure way to read the internet.
Proxy servers are a hot item in the news these days with the controversies around Net Neutrality and censorship. By removing net neutrality protections in the United States, Internet Service Providers (ISP) are now able to control your bandwidth and internet traffic. ISPs can potentially tell you what sites you can and cannot see. While there’s a great amount of uncertainty around what is going to happen with Net Neutrality, it’s possible that proxy servers will provide some ability to work around an ISPs restrictions.
Varonis analyzes data from proxy servers to protect you from data breaches and cyber attacks. The addition of proxy data gives more context to better analyze user behavior trends for abnormalities. You can get an alert on that suspicious activity with actionable intelligence to investigate and deal with the incident.
For example, a user accessing GDPR data might not be significant on its own. But if they access GDPR data and then try to upload it to an external website, it could be an exfiltration attempt and potential data breach. Without the context provided by file system monitoring, proxy monitoring, and Varonis threat models, you might see these events in a vacuum and not realize you need to prevent a data breach.
Get a 1:1 demo to see these threat models in action – and see what your proxy data could be telling you.
Frequently Asked Questions about browser proxy chrome
How do I use a proxy in Chrome?
Step1: To set proxy in Google Chrome Go to Option (Top-Right Side) > Click on Under the Hood Tab > Click on Change Proxy Settings and you can change Proxy from there.
Where is proxy settings in Chrome?
Click the Chrome Menu in the browser toolbar. Select Settings. Click Advanced. In the System section, click Open your computer’s proxy settings.Aug 12, 2021
How do I manually set a proxy in Chrome?
How to manually change your Proxy settings in Google Chrome Click on the three dots icon in the top right corner and select Settings. In the settings menu, type “PROXY” in the Search Windows box and select “Open proxy settings” from the search results. Click on LAN Settings.More items…