How to Know If You’re Behind a Proxy Server
A proxy server acts sort of like a middleman between your browser and servers that display Web pages. They do this by receiving page or link requests from your browser and then passing them to the Web server that hosts them. Many businesses use proxy servers to block access to certain sites or provide network users with more anonymity while surfing the Web. However, some sites restrict access to computers that connect through a proxy server. If you are having trouble accessing some sites, it might be because your computer connects through a proxy. Therefore, if you are having access problems, you should know how to determine whether your computer connects through a proxy. Firefox Launch Mozilla Firefox on your computer. Click “Tools, ” click “Options” and choose “Options from the menu that slides out. Click the “Advanced” tab in the Options window. Click the “Settings” button in the Connection box. Locate the selected connection option in the list on the Connection tab. If your Internet connection uses no proxy server, the “No Proxy” connection setting option is enabled. If either the “Use System Proxy Settings” or “Manual Proxy Configuration” setting is selected, then your computer accesses the Internet via a proxy server. Internet Explorer Click the “Tools” drop-down arrow in the upper-right portion of the browser window. Select “Internet Options. ” Click the “Connections” tab in the Internet Options window. Click the “LAN Settings” button. If there is a check mark in the box next to the “Us a proxy server for your LAN” option, then your PC accesses the Web through a proxy server. If there is no check mark in the box, your computer does not use a proxy server. References Resources Tips Google Chrome uses the same network settings as Internet Explorer. If you use Chrome as your browser, you can determine if you are behind a proxy server by checking the connection settings in Internet Explorer. There are many sites on the Web that can help you determine whether you access the Internet through a proxy server. Sites such as, and all allow you to view proxy settings on your computer with a couple of mouse clicks. Writer Bio Jeff Grundy has been writing computer-related articles and tutorials since 1995. Since that time, Grundy has written many guides to using various applications that are published on numerous how-to and tutorial sites. Born and raised in South Georgia, Grundy holds a Master of Science degree in mathematics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
What Is a Proxy or Proxy Server – What Is My IP ®
Proxy Server
A proxy server is basically another computer which serves as a hub through which internet requests are processed. By connecting through one of these servers, your computer sends your requests to the server which then processes your request and returns what you were wanting. Moreover, in this way it serves as an intermediary between your home machine and the rest of the computers on the internet. Proxies are used for a number of reasons such as to filter web content, to go around restrictions such as parental blocks, to screen downloads and uploads and to provide anonymity when surfing the internet.
Why Use a Proxy?
If you are wanting to surf the web anonymously then proxies can provide you with a means to hide your IP address from the rest of the world. By connecting to the internet through proxies, the public IP address of your machine will not be shown but rather the IP of the proxy server will be shown. This can provide you with more privacy then if you were simply connecting directly to the internet. To clarify, there are a number of proxies that can provide you with service. For instance, we searched and found several. Some are free and some charge a small fee, the choice is up to you but we have found that the paid services are more reliable, faster, and more secure.
How to Setup a Proxies With a Browser
Internet Explorer Settings
Click Tools (See image 1)
Choose Internet Options (See image 1)
Select the Connections Tab (See image 2)
Click LAN settings (See image 2)
Check the “Use a proxy server for your LAN” box (See image 3)
Enter the IP Address of the Server and the Port Number (See image 3)
Click OK (See image 3)
Use our Proxy Check tool to see if your settings worked
Firefox Settings
Click the Firefox Button(The button in the upper left corner)
Choose Options
Click Options in the new tab
Choose the Advanced Tab
Click Settings
Click Manual Proxy Settings
In the HTTP Proxy Box enter the IP Address of the Server and the Port number
Click OK
Google Chrome Settings
Click the Customize and Control Button(Button with the wrench picture in upper right corner
Select Under the Hood
Choose Change proxy settings
Click LAN Settings
Check the “Use a proxy server for your LAN” box
Enter the IP Address of the Server and the Port Number
Safari Settings
Select Safari
Choose Preferences
Click Advanced
Click Change Settings
Check the Web Proxy(HTTP) box
Click Apply Now
Proxy Detection
Firstly, are you truly hidden? In addition, we provide detection tool at Furthermore, if service is setup correctly you will see its IP address on the check page and you may receive a message that one was detected. Above all, it is impossible to detect all proxies. To clarify, we may not detect the one being used, but that does not mean that other sites can’t. Nor does it mean you are completely anonymous.
How to Use Proxy in Chrome – Blog | Oxylabs
Open your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings. Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more ntinue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.
Setting up a proxy in your web browser adds the needed privacy and security when you go online. Usually, proxies need to be manually enabled every time you want to use one, but you can save some time by adding one through your Chrome proxy settings or by using a proxy manager.
But what is a proxy? Also, what dangers can one encounter without having one in their Chrome proxy settings? Well, we do go into great detail in our blog post on proxy’s fundamentals, so feel free to check it out before tackling this article.
In this article we will go over how to use proxy in Chrome, how to do it by using proxy managers, and why would you need to use a Chrome proxy in the first place. Let’s begin with the latter.
The dangers of not using a Chrome proxy
As you probably know, each device has an Internet Protocol (IP) address. It is a bunch of numbers (similar to house having an address number) assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Whenever you go online and go to a website, that particular site will then know your IP address. That means the website will also know the general area where you’re located.
Tracking your IP address also helps websites keep a record on where you go online by using cookies. So whenever you search for something or buy anything online, they track this information and show you ads that fit your taste.
Not to mention that when you connect to wifi (especially the free ones coffee shop entrepreneurs like so much), your data can be easily hacked.
Why is free wifi dangerous? It does not require authentication to establish a network connection, therefore creating fantastic opportunity for hackers to gain access to unsecured devices on the same network. Meaning they can steal your sensitive data or execute malware attacks.
How a Chrome proxy helps to protect you
As we mentioned earlier, a proxy works as a filter between you and the internet. So when you use a proxy, your internet requests travel through the proxy server first, and only then connects to the internet.
While standing in between you and the internet, a proxy server appears as a different IP. While it answers the question of how to hide IP address, as long as you use a chrome proxy, you’ll have a secure web session.
How to use proxy in Chrome
Instead of enabling your proxies manually every time you want to use one for browsing, it’s easier to set up your chrome proxy settings automatically.
To go to your Chrome proxy settings and set up your proxy, open your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings.
Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more options.
Continue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.
If you’re using a Mac, we suggest you visit their official support website for more details on how to finish up your proxy set up. And if you’re using Windows, check this article out for a simple explanation on how to set it up.
Setting up your proxies with a proxy manager
Another way of setting up your proxies is through a proxy manager. Such proxy managers are great if you want a clear and straightforward interface for turning on and off your proxies.
A proxy manager, such as FoxyProxy, can help you set up your proxies not only on Chrome but other web browsers as well. This particular proxy manager offers a neat browser extension with which changing your proxies won’t be an issue.
Oxylabs proxies integrate flawlessly with FoxyProxy, ensuring an easy and straightforward set up process.
Wrapping up
Setting up a Chrome proxy will make your browsing a lot more private and secure. Not to mention you’ll avoid the hassle of continually enabling your proxy settings every time you open the web.
For more integration examples, you can also check our other guides where we covered Firefox proxy settings. Also, choosing the right proxy type is also essential, so if you want to learn more about what we offer and which type is more suited for your needs, check out our article on the difference between data center and residential proxies for more information.
People also ask
What is a Chrome proxy?
A Chrome proxy is any kind of proxy that can be used with Chrome to anonymize your traffic. Since Chrome has no proxy configuration settings of its own, these proxies are configured on the OS level.
What is better, a proxy or a VPN?
Although proxies can be just as efficient for those seeking anonymity, using a VPN is generally recommended for private individuals. Read more about proxy vs. VPN here.
Do proxies hide your IP?
Yes, proxies do hide your real IP address and in a lot of cases this is their main function. However, you should also know that there are plenty of other uses for proxies in which hiding the user’s original IP address is only secondary to some other goal. Read more about how proxies work here.
Gabija Fatenaite is a Product Marketing Manager at Oxylabs. Having grown up on video games and the internet, she grew to find the tech side of things more and more interesting over the years. So if you ever find yourself wanting to learn more about proxies (or video games), feel free to contact her – she’ll be more than happy to answer you.
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Frequently Asked Questions about do i have a proxy server
How do I know if I am using a proxy server?
Right-click on the Start button and click Setting.Go to Network & Internet > Proxy.See if the Use a proxy server option is on.
What is a proxy server and how do I find it?
A proxy server is basically another computer which serves as a hub through which internet requests are processed. By connecting through one of these servers, your computer sends your requests to the server which then processes your request and returns what you were wanting.
How do I use a proxy server with Chrome?
Chrome Proxy Settings: How to Use itOpen your Chrome browser, and click on the menu button. Then select Settings.Scroll down till you find Advanced. Click on it for more option.Continue to scroll down until you find the Open proxy setting button, then click on it.Apr 24, 2019