How to set up and use a proxy server? Step-by-step guide

A proxy server helps to avoid blocking accounts in the process of online promotion, data parsing or other mass actions on the Internet. This tool may seem like a VPN to you, but it is much more stable, reliable and versatile. Plus, unlike VPN, the proxy does not slow down the connection but rather speeds it up.

Below we will talk in detail about how to configure a proxy server on different operating systems, browsers and individual programs for promotion and automation of processes.

How to configure proxies on a computer

If you connect a proxy in the system settings of your operating system, then the server will work for all network connections.

Windows proxy settings

To connect the mediation server on Windows, follow the instructions:

1. Enter the word "Proxy" in the search engine next to the Start menu.
2. Go to the appropriate section of the proxy server settings.
3. Activate the use of a proxy server (depending on the version of Windows, click on the toggle switch or check the box).
4. Enter the IP address and port.

Linux proxy setup

To connect the mediation server on Linux, follow these steps:

1. Go into the system settings.
2. Go to the "Network" section (you can find it in the OS search engine).
3. Click on the “Proxy Server” tab and enter the data manually.
4. Click Apply for All Accounts to save the changes.

Proxy setting on MAC OS

To connect the proxy on MAC OS, follow this instruction:

1. Go to the menu on your device.
2. Go to System Preferences.
3. Click on the “Network” tab.
4. Go to "Add-ons" and select "Proxies".
5. Select the automatic proxy configuration.
6. Choose the appropriate type of proxy and enter its data: ip-address, port.
7. If your intermediary server supports authorization by login and password, check the box “Proxy server requires a password” and enter the necessary data.
8. Click “OK” to save the settings.

Configuring a proxy server in a browser

You can connect the intermediary server to any browser on your computer. Having done this, the proxy will only work when visiting sites through the program in which you configured it. The principle of connecting a proxy is almost the same on all browsers. For example, we’ll analyze the server settings in Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Internet Explorer.

Important! Before using proxies, clear the cache and cookies on your browser so that they cannot reach your personal data.

Setting up a proxy server in Google Chrome

To connect the proxy to this browser, follow the step-by-step instructions:

1. Run
2. Go to the browser menu.
3. Go to "Settings".
4. Write the word “Proxies” in the “Search for settings” field to quickly find the desired section.
5. Click on the option “Open proxy server settings on the computer”.
6. The browser will redirect you to the system settings, where you need to activate the use of the proxy and enter its data.

Configuring a proxy server in Opera

Follow the instructions:

1. Run
2. Click on “Menu”.
3. Go to "Settings".
4. In the “Search for settings” field, enter the word “Proxies”.
5. Click on the option “Open proxy server settings for the computer”.
6. You get into the system settings, where you need to activate the proxy and enter its data.

Configuring a proxy server in Mozilla Firefox

To connect the server in this browser, follow these steps:

1. Run
2. Click "Open Menu."
3. Go to "Settings".
4. In the “Find in Settings” field, enter the word “Proxies”.
5. Click the Configure button.
6. Select the "Manual proxy settings" option.
7. Enter your proxy server details.
8. Check the box next to "Use this proxy server for all protocols."
9. Click “OK” to save the settings.

Configuring a proxy server in Internet Explorer

To connect the proxy to your browser, follow these steps:

1. Launch Internet Explorer.
2. Click on "Service" (gear in the upper right corner of the browser).
3. Go to “Browser Properties”.
4. Go to the “Connections” tab.
5. Click “Network Setup”.
6. Check the boxes next to "Use proxy server for local connections" and "Do not use a proxy server for local addresses".
7. Enter the IP address and port.
8. Go to Advanced.
9. Check the box next to “One proxy server for all protocols.”
10. Click OK.

Need an anti-detection browser? Read more about setting proxies in TOR.

How to connect a proxy server on a phone or tablet (iOS, Android)

You can configure the intermediary server not only on a computer but also on a tablet or even a smartphone. Instructions on how to use proxies for gadgets based on Android and iOS operating systems can be found below.

Proxy settings on iOS: iPhone & iPad

To do this, you need to take 4 simple steps:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Click on the Wi-Fi network you are connected to.
3. Scroll to the HTTP proxy option and select manual configuration.
4. Enter the IP-address, port of your server and, if necessary, data for authorization by login and password.

Android proxy settings

There are 2 ways to connect a proxy server to an Android gadget. Choose the one that suits you depending on whether your device has root privileges or not. You can check for root rights using a special application, for example, Root Checker.

The first way (if you have root privileges):

1. Install the program to connect the proxy. For example,
2. Run it.
3. Move the toggle switch responsible for proxy server activation to the “On” position.
4. Enter the server data: IP-address, port.
5. Specify the type of protocol.
6. Check the box next to "Auto-connect" so that each time you start your smartphone you do not have to reactivate the proxy.
7. Select a Wi-Fi network, when connected to which a proxy server will operate.
8. Click “OK” to save the data.

The second method (if there are no root rights):

1. Go to the Wi-Fi section.
2. Choose your network.
3. Open the Advanced option.
4. Select the manual setting.
5. Enter proxy details.
6. Click Connect.

For the proxy server to work on your Android smartphone or tablet via 3G and other similar networks, you will have to use a browser. Download Habit Browser, Firefox or Opera to your gadget, and then find in their settings the parameters that are responsible for setting the proxy. Manually enter the server data and you can anonymously use the Internet via 3G and other networks, and not just via Wi-Fi.

How to connect a proxy server through a proxifier

You can configure a proxy server to work on a computer through special programs called proxifiers. With their help, you can create an anonymous connection for individual programs, including those that by default does not allow the ability to connect a mediation server. Proxifiers also help to configure proxies for only one or several sites.

For these purposes, you can use the program Proxifier, Proxy Switcher or any other analogs. Their interface may vary, but the principle of operation is similar for everyone:

1. Run the program.
2. Add the data of your proxy server to its database.
3. Indicate the rule of work for the new IP-address (it works everywhere, on some sites, in a certain program, in several).
4. Save the settings.

How to use proxies

A user with a connected proxy server appears anonymously when using the Internet, and the protection of personal data is increased. When you figure out how to configure proxies on your device, you can proceed to anonymous work on the Internet.

Examples of actions for which proxies may be useful:

• blocking bypass on sites;
• connection of automated services;
• promotion of several accounts on social networks;
• launch of mass advertising;
• anonymous correspondence;
• web-scraping.

Before you are laid out an unlimited number of options for how to use a proxy server. All professional and personal tasks can be solved with a hidden IP address and geolocation.

We recommend that you do not use free public proxies. They are not reliable and have a low speed. It is better to connect high-quality private servers, for example, proxies of America.