How to change proxy settings in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera



how to use a proxy server

I am quite certain you must have heard the word “Proxy”. From Internet browsing tweaks to everyday English, proxies mean the same thing. In this brief guide, we’ll be answering some questions you might have about proxy servers.

What is a Proxy Server?

A Proxy Server is a computer that allows users on one network service to indirectly connect to another network service through it. If – for example – you wish to connect from server A to server C but first send the traffic to server B and then from B to C, server B would be a proxy server.

Why would I need to use a Proxy Server?

Some reasons why you might employ a Proxy Server are:

  • Your server or IP has been blacklisted
  • You wish to protect your identity
  • The proxy server has been whitelisted to connect to the target server

Are there any security risks associated with using a Proxy Server?

Yes. If the data being sent through the proxy server is not encrypted then sensitive data about you could fall into the wrong hands.

Can I be traced when using a Proxy Server?

That would depend on the proxy server in use. Some just route traffic with minimal changes while others mask your identity to a very high degree. If you’re concerned about protecting your identity then consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Why is surfing sometimes so slow when using a Proxy Server?

If the proxy server you’re using is very far away or is processing a lot of requests then it could be very slow. If you’re having problems connecting to the Internet then you should see the guide @ https://www.hovatek.com/blog/how-to-fix-a-windows-pc-that-wont-connect-to-the-internet/

Where can I get a list of proxy servers and ports?

You could check http://hidemyass.com .

How do I change the Proxy settings on my browser?

The settings vary slightly for different browsers

How to change proxy settings in Internet Explorer

  • Launch Internet Explorer
  • Click the Settings (gear) icon at the top-right corner
  • Click Internet options
  • Click on the Connections tab
  • Select LAN settings
  • Untick Automatically detect settings
  • Tick Use a proxy server for your LAN
  • Enter the proxy address and port then click OK

How to change proxy settings in Google Chrome

  • Launch Google Chrome
  • Click the Accordion menu (three parallel horizontal bars) icon at the top-right corner
  • Click Settings
  • Click Show advanced settings
  • Click Change proxy settings
  • Select LAN settings
  • Untick Automatically detect settings
  • Tick Use a proxy server for your LAN
  • Enter the proxy address and port then click OK

How to change proxy settings in Opera

  • Launch Opera
  • Press the Alt key and select Settings
  • Click on the Browser tab
  • Click Change proxy settings
  • Select LAN settings
  • Untick Automatically detect settings
  • Tick Use a proxy server for your LAN
  • Enter the proxy address and port then click OK

Note: Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Opera use the same Proxy engine so it should look something like this:

how to change proxy settings on google chrome, internet explorer and opera

How to change proxy settings in Mozilla Firefox

  • Launch Mozilla Firefox
  • At the top-left corner, click the Firefox icon
  • Navigate to Options > Options
  • Click the Advanced tab
  • Click the Network tab and select Settings
  • Tick Manual proxy configuration
  • Enter the proxy address and port then click OK

The proxy engine should look something like this:

how to change proxy settings in mozilla firefox

While changing my proxy settings, I saw an option which said “Bypass proxy server for local addresses”, what does it mean?

If you’re using Localhost (offline) services like Apache, PHP and MyQSL on your PC, you might want to tick this option so your offline requests do not get routed through an online proxy server.

Hovatek….just a button away!



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