How to use a proxy, why and how to set up quickly

For many users, it is a mystery why use proxy settings. After all, modern technology provides almost instant access to any site on the Internet, allow you to download almost any amount of information.

However, along with such possibilities of modern technologies there are also problems. In particular:

• It is extremely difficult to keep your data secret – they can be stolen by hackers and specialized programs – viruses;
• There are blockages in the network that prevent the user from visiting individual resources;
• it’s extremely difficult to be anonymous online today.

But along with all these problems, the use of proxy settings when connecting to the network can provide data protection, and anonymity, and bypass existing blockages.

Why do you need a proxy server on your computer and how it can help the average user

Even the average user can set up a proxy in another country and bypass site blocking. Or you can use the installed proxy server to bypass the work lockings set by the system administrator. Many employers, fearing that their employees will visit a variety of entertainment portals during working hours instead of their direct duties, block some or all of their Internet access. Installing a proxy server in this case may solve the issue and give the user access. Neither the system administrator nor the employer himself will  be able to detect any circumvention of their prohibition.

Why do I need a proxy server on my home computer? It will help bypass the blockades imposed by States or individual resources, maintain anonymity on the network, visit resources, and leave no trace of their presence there. You can also protect your data with a proxy.

Another advantage of proxy servers is that their installation is not difficult and inaccessible to the average user of a modern PC. There are several installation options available, and every modern person can find the best solution for themselves.

How to install and enable the proxy server on your home computer

There are several options for installing proxy servers. The most common way to enable a proxy by yourself is to change the settings for the operating system’s own network connection. To do this, you need to know the address and connection port of the proxy server, which must be entered in the current configuration of the PC. After that, all connections and connections will be made through the proxy. At the same time, not only the browser will be able to access the Internet through a proxy server, but also work in the network of all other programs. For example, this:

• Skype and other communication programs;
• mail clients;
• online games, players, torrent client and other software.

Quotation: A proxy reduces the connection speed and increases ping, so programs can be slowed down when connected.

This choice of settings may seem complicated for the user, so there is a simplified option – the use of configuration files, downloading which will allow you to make all the changes to the connection configuration automatically.

Quotation: It is recommended to save all initial settings before connecting the proxy so that they can be restored in case of problems.

Another way is when the browser enables the proxy server separately from other programs. In this case, you can use the extensions available for any of today’s browsers. Installing extensions will allow you to use the proxy server only for surfing over the network. All other programs will work in normal connection mode. This is the most popular and common option among ordinary users.

Plus, that’s the solution:

• A large selection of extensions, making it much easier to find the best option;
• Easy installation – the user does not need to set up – the extension will do everything by itself;
• Ease of management – most extensions imply the ability to instantly turn on and off the proxy server.

In case you are interested in how to disable the proxy server through the extension, then depending on the specific type of program the disabling can be done through the context menu or directly by clicking on the extension icon. A proxy server is enabled in the same way.

Which proxy to use and how to make the right choice

Of course, with such a variety of options the user will have a natural question – what proxy to use and what to follow when choosing.

The answer is simple – first of all it is necessary to be guided by quality of given connection, in particular – by the maximum possible speed and pinging which allows proxy connection.

This will determine the convenience of work and the time that the user will have to spend on obtaining access to the resource. At low speed, the site will take an incredibly long time to load. At the same time, when pinging is high, there will be a long process of waiting for data from the server and vice versa: sending data from user to node.

It is best to measure speed and ping after installing the proxy. When you see the difference between a normal connection and several user-proven proxy servers, you can easily make a choice and find the optimal connection.

How to fix a proxy if its quality has deteriorated

Unfortunately, there is often a situation when the proxy has started to work worse: the speed has dropped, the ping has risen. In this case a logical question arises:how to fix the proxy? Unfortunately, the user himself will not be able to do anything – this is a problem of the server itself. In this case, it is recommended to simply change the proxy server and choose the one that can offer the best connection parameters from the available ones.

You can compare connection parameters by means of specialized sites that offer to determine the speed, ping, user address. With the help of this site the user will be able to find out the values of speed and pinging at a normal connection. Then perform the test when connecting several proxy servers. Each of them should be compared with the initial measurement and with each other. Thus, it is possible to determine the most successful proxy, which will allow the user to work in the network with minimal losses as a connection.

As for the question of whether to use a proxy with automatic settings, manual, stand-alone software, or as an extension, it depends only on the user and his purposes. If you need to log on to the network completely under the proxy, including programs installed on the PC, it makes sense to install a separate proxy software, but only if the extension is suitable for surfing. Also, the issue can be solved depending on the experience of the user and his desire to make manual adjustments. The simplest method is extensions, programs and automatic configuration.