How do I use a Proxy Server?

Please be aware that the use of proxy servers without the express permission from the owner of the proxy server may be illegal in some states and/or countries. Use at your own risk.
Use your favorite search engine and search for 'proxy server list'. You'll find many sites with lists of proxy servers, their IP address, the port they listen on, and usually what country they are in. Write down a few of them.

Proxy Types

You may see references to four different types of proxy servers:

Transparent Proxy

This type of proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server and also makes the original IP address available through the http headers. These are generally used for their ability to cache websites and do not effectively provide any anonymity to those who use them. However, the use of a transparent proxy will get you around simple IP bans. They are transparent in the terms that your IP address is exposed, not transparent in the terms that you do not know that you are using it (your system is not specifically configured to use it.)

Anonymous Proxy

This type of proxy server indentifies itself as a proxy server, but does not make the original IP address available. This type of proxy server is detectable, but provides reasonable anonymity for most users.

Distorting Proxy

This type of proxy server identifies itself as a proxy server, but make an incorrect original IP address available through the http headers.

High Anonymity Proxy

This type of proxy server does not identify itself as a proxy server and does not make available the original IP address.
Please make sure to read about anonymous proxy risks before using a proxy server.
If you need further assistance using proxy servers please post a question in the proxy server forum.

Browser Settings

The following are instructions to configure various browsers to use an http proxy server.

Internet Explorer 6

FireFox

Netscape 8

Opera

Instructions for Internet Explorer 6.0

1. On the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click Internet Options, click the Connections tab, and then click LAN Settings.
2. Under Proxy server, click to select the Use a proxy server for your LAN check box.
3. In the Address box, type the IP address of the proxy server.
4. In the Port box, type the port number that is used by the proxy server for client connections (by default, 8080).
5. You can click to select the Bypass proxy server for local addresses check box if you do not want the proxy server computer to be used when you connect to a computer on the local network (this may speed up performance).
6. Click OK to close the LAN Settings dialog box.
7. Click OK again to close the Internet Options dialog box.

Instructions for Internet Explorer 5

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet.
2. Click the Connections tab, click LAN Settings, and then click to select the Use Proxy Server check box.
3. In the Address box, type the appropriate proxy server information, and use the following format: http://<address>
4. Click Advanced, and then type the appropriate proxy settings in the Servers area. Use the following syntax for the proxy settings: http://<address>:<port> where <address> is the Web address of the proxy server, and <port> is the port number that is assigned to the proxy server. For example, if the proxy server's address is "proxy.example.microsoft.com" and the port number is 80, the setting in the Proxy Server box should appear like this: http://proxy.example.microsoft.com:80 Important: If you use a backslash (\) instead of a slash (/) in the proxy server's address, the settings disappear from the Proxy Server box and Internet Explorer does not find the proxy server.

Instructions for Firefox 3.0

1. Select the Tools Menu
2. Select Options
3. Select the Advanced Icon
4. Select the Network tab
5. Under connection select Settings
6. Under Settings you can chose "Auto-Detect Proxy setting for this network" or "Manual Proxy Configuration"
7. If choosing "Manual Proxy Configuration" Enter the IP address for the HTTP proxy server
8. Enter the port of the HTTP proxy server
9. Click Okay

Instructions for FireFox 2

1. Select the Tools Menu
2. Select Options
3. Select Connection Settings
4. Select Manual Proxy Configuration
5. Check Use the same proxy for all protocols
6. Enter the IP address for the HTTP proxy server
7. Enter the port of the HTTP proxy server
8. Click Okay

Instructions for Netscape 8.1

1. Select the Tools Menu
2. Select Options
3. Select General
4. Select Connection Settings...
5. Check Manual Proxy Configuration
6. Enter the proxy server's IP address in the HTTP Proxy field and the proxy's port into the Port field.
7. OK your way out

Instructions for Netscape 7.1

1. Select the Edit Menu
2. Select Preferences
3. Maximize Advanced
4. Select Proxies
5. Choose Manual proxy configuration
6. Enter the proxy server's IP address in the HTTP Proxy field and the proxy's port into the corresponding Port field.
7. OK your way out

Opera 8.5

1. Select the Tools Menu
2. Select Preferences
3. Select Advanced Tab
4. Select Proxy Servers
5. Check the box next to HTTP
6. Enter the proxy server's IP address in the first box and the proxy's port in the box after "Port"
7. OK your way out

Safari 2.0.3

1. Select Preferences
2. Select Advanced
3. Select Proxies: Change Settings
4. Check the box next to Web Proxy (HTTP)
5. Enter the proxy server's IP address in the first box and the proxy's port in the box after the ":"
6. Select Apply Now