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Are you wondering how to set up a proxy server for your computer or mobile device? If you already have access to the server’s details or even have it set up on your networking hardware, then it is easy to enable access to your chosen system. The process can be challenging if you are new to networking, don’t have the server details, or haven’t been installed in your hardware. However, there are many benefits to buying an IP proxy server, setting up, and configuring it on your mobile device or computer, such as bypassing restrictions, accessing region-restricted content, and enhancing privacy.

What is a Proxy Server?

Proxy servers act as an intermediary between the internet and your system. In simple terms, it’s a gateway connecting to internet services like web pages on your behalf and delivering them to you. The proxy server sends your data or files to the other party during uploads. Hence, the only visible thing is your proxy IP address, adding a layer between the client computer (you) and the rest of the world. Through such a mechanism, proxy servers mask your geolocation, allowing you access to blocked content.

Using workplace proxy servers allows managers to restrict what employees can access through content filtering. This is also helpful in reducing bandwidth. You can buy IP proxy servers or use the free options available. Regardless, you are provided with server details typically configured directly on a network and router. Alternatively, you can manually set up the proxy for each device or a web browser on your devices.

Setting Up and Configuring Proxy Server on Your Computer or Mobile Devices

After you buy an IP proxy, the settings you choose for your server depend on how you want to configure the network and your provider. You can install the proxy at the hardware level, meaning every device will use an automatic detection or even install it on the software level, such as on a web browser. Below are steps to follow when setting up your proxy server on two of the most used computers (Windows PCs and Mac).

Windows

There are different ways of setting up and configuring a proxy server in Windows OS. However, the methodology might differ based on the version of the operating system. Modern versions of Windows operating systems allow you to install the proxy automatically, manually, or using a script.

In automatic Proxy setup, the operating system detects your proxy server settings, meaning you do not provide any information. To achieve this;

  1. Press your computer’s Windows + I keys to the Settings page. Alternatively, you can select Start, then Settings.
  2. Select Network and Internet on the left pane in the Settings page, and click on Proxy.
  3. Toggle Automatically Detect settings under Automatic proxy setup to on.

You can also use a script to set up the proxy server for your Windows OS. However, you need to know where the proxy setup script is located. To set up a proxy server by this method:

  1. Press Windows + I or Select Start, then Settings.
  2. Click on Networks and Internet in the Settings page, then select Proxy on the left pane.
  3. Toggle the Use setup script to On.
  4. Enter the proxy server’s script address in the Script address box, then select Save.

Finally, you can also manually set up the proxy server. You must know several things here, including the proxy server IP address, name, and port number. To manually set up a proxy server in Windows:

  1. Press the Windows + I keys or click the Start button, then Settings.
  2. In the Settings page, Select Network & Internet.
  3. At the bottom of the left pane, Select Proxy.
  4. Toggle Use a Proxy Server to under Manual proxy setup to On.
  5. Enter the proxy server IP address or name and port in the Address and Port sections.
  6. If, when visiting specific addresses, you don’t want to use the proxy server, you can list them in the exception list separated by a semi-colon (;).
  7. Select the box if you do not want to use a proxy server for local addresses. Otherwise, leave the box clear.
  8. Select Save.

Mac

While setting up and configuring a proxy server on a Mac differs from Windows PC, it is also straightforward.

  1. Click on Apple Logo.
  2. In the Apple Menu, open Systems Preferences.
  3. In the Systems Preferences, click the Network tab and select the service you want the proxy server to be applied.
  4. Locate and select Advanced in the Networks tab.
  5. Click on the Proxy option. By choosing Auto Proxy Discovery, you can automatically set up the proxy servers, and your Mac will configure everything by itself.
  6. You can also manually set up the proxy server on your Mac. With this option, you should choose a proxy to configure (FTP, SOCKS, Secure Web (HTTPS), Gopher, Streaming (RTSP), and standard HTTP Proxies) and enter its Address and Port in the provided fields. If the server is password protected, you should enter the proxy server credentials (Username and Password).
  7. Click OK to save the changes, then connect to your proxy server.

Android Devices

  1. On your Android Device, open Settings, then tap Wi-Fi. This allows you to view a List of all the Wi-Fi networks available.
  2. Long press on the Connected network or tap on the toggle button, depending on your device.
  3. Tap on Modify Network in the pop-up screen.
  4. Click Advanced Options or directly access the Proxy settings depending on your device.
  5. You can choose the Manual in the Proxy settings and enter your Proxy port and Hostname. Otherwise, tap Proxy Auto-Config in the drop-down if you have a PAC (Proxy Auto-Config) file and enter its address in the PAC URL field.
  6. Tap Save.

iOS Devices

1. Tap on Settings and go to Wi-Fi.

2. Tap on the I Icon adjacent to the Wi-Fi network that you want to enable the proxy server.

3. Scroll down to HTTP proxy, then tap Configure Proxy.

4. To automatically detect the proxy server configurations, select Auto.

5. To manually configure the proxy server, select Manual.

6. Tap Server and provide the server Address.

7. Turn on Authentication and provide the username and password if required.

8. Tap Save.

Protect Yourself Online By Purchasing, Setting Up, And Configuring A Proxy Server

Setting up and configuring a proxy server differs from one device to another. However, if you buy IP proxy server, you’ll enjoy many benefits like securely browsing restricted content, filtering content, or even anonymizing yourself online. Thus, improve your online privacy and security by purchasing and setting up a proxy server for each device. Are you a workplace manager or even a parent? Regulate what your employees or children can access by leveraging the content filtering capabilities of a proxy server while saving your bandwidth simultaneously.