Setting up a proxy server for Windows 7 local network. How to set up your proxy server
A proxy server provides an opportunity for unhindered and secure access to content, especially in cases where the provider has blocked access to it. A proxy server is also considered as a gateway, ensuring the flow of information data simultaneously in both directions: from the user to the network resource.
Those who engage in active surfing seek to find recommendations on how to use a proxy server, as this allows the requested Internet pages to load faster and also guarantees the user absolute anonymity. It is not for nothing that when translated from English, the word “proxy” means use on someone else’s behalf.
However, most users still do not understand why a proxy server is needed or what the benefits of using it are. Each PC accessing the Global Network is accompanied by . Knowing it, it is enough to simply calculate where exactly the user lives, which specific provider provides him with Internet services. If it is important to hide personal data, all requests should be made through a proxy acting as an intermediary. In this case, the IP address of the proxy used is not displayed.
Purpose of a proxy
A proxy server is capable of performing several useful functions that attract the attention of users. In addition to providing complete anonymity, the proxy successfully caches Internet pages, which in the future allows you to speed up the process of opening them, while at the same time ensuring economical use of Internet traffic.
Another successful function of a proxy is the real opportunity to protect the user’s personal computer from possible network attacks. Some enterprises interested in working securely with Internet resources prefer to use proxies, since this guarantees the protection of important data from hacking by intruders.
Also, some people prefer to use it due to the fact that it allows successful anonymous surfing.
Manually setting up a proxy server
To take advantage of the unique features of a proxy, you need to understand how to configure a proxy server. Everyone can use its capabilities only after they manage to find a suitable option, check its functionality, and then provide quick access to it.
The proxy server is configured in two modes: manual and automatic. The manual method is not so welcomed by users, since they have to search on their own, then check the selected options for functionality, and after successfully passing the test, they also have to make changes to the browser themselves.
To make the appropriate changes in the Mozilla Firefox browser, you need to go from the “Settings” menu to the “Settings” item, and then to the “Advanced” tab. Next, among the list of additional options, you should select the “Network” line, click on it and in the window that opens, check the box next to the “Manual proxy service setup” line. All that remains is to enter the data, after which contact with the proxy will be established.
Setting up the Opera browser is almost identical: from the “Settings” menu, go to “General Settings”, then “Network”, and then “Proxies”.
The Internet Explorer browser is also quite easy to configure after clicking on the following menu items: “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Connections”, “Network Settings”. To enter data, just check the box next to the “Use proxy server” line.
In the Chrome browser, it's also easy to change the proxy settings. You need to click on the “Tools” item, go to the “Show advanced settings” tab, and then select the “Change proxy server settings” item.
Automatic setup
Setting up in automatic mode involves the use of software tools that facilitate the ability to quickly find and automatically select the optimal proxy.
Currently, developers offer a sufficient number of useful software tools that allow not only an automatic search for suitable resources, but also an automatic check of their functionality, followed by instant integration into the appropriate browser.
Such software tools include:
- Mask Surf;
- Proxy Switcher Pro;
- Proxyassistant;
- Hide IP Easy.
If the question arises of how to change the proxy server, the user will be able to figure out this issue without difficulty. In most cases, the interfaces of these software tools are Russified and are also quite understandable to every user, so it will not be difficult to change IP addresses with simple clicks.
Disabling a proxy server
In some cases, it becomes necessary, on the contrary, to eliminate existing contact with the proxy server; therefore, it is useful to understand how to disable the proxy server if it acts as an obstacle to achieving specific goals.
Disablement rules
Unfortunately, some free proxies are subject to blocking, due to which it is not possible to open pages important to the user. In this regard, it becomes necessary to disable proxy functions in order to change the IP address, thereby ensuring access to selected resources.
To disable the proxy, you need to go into the browser settings in the same way as when connecting it, after which you should uncheck the box next to the line indicating the activation of this function.
After such actions have been taken, you can again use the original network settings, open the necessary Internet pages, but all transitions will be under the supervision of the provider.
So, anyone who urgently needs it can change network settings. It is enough to select an acceptable option for searching and checking the functionality of the proxy server, and then test all its capabilities in practice.
A proxy server (from English proxy - authorized representative) is a kind of intermediary server on the network. The user first connects to the proxy server, and the proxy then connects to another server on which the desired resource is located (e-mail, search engine, etc.). The user does not connect directly to the requested resource, but does it through an “intermediary,” which has a number of advantages. Read more about setting up a proxy server in Windows 7 in our article.
Why do you need a proxy server?
- The proxy checks whether the requested data is in temporary memory. And if they are, then it does not re-download information from the Internet, which saves traffic.
- Network access can be shared among several users.
- The proxy server maintains the anonymity of requests, since the information is not transmitted further to the Internet and does not remain on the user’s computer; The IP address from which the request was made also cannot say anything about the user’s computer, only about the proxy server, and it may be located in another country.
- A proxy protects your computer from external influences by transmitting only the requested data and filtering out unnecessary data.
- Due to the fact that all data on the computer comes only from the proxy server, you can bypass the blocking of some sites, especially those that are installed independently by your telecom operator.
MTS has blocked many torrents for its users, but the proxy server “deceives” the built-in blocking system, since for it the proxy server is just some Internet resource, one of those that can be opened. But the data on the proxy itself comes from completely different sites, sometimes blocked: it is quite difficult to track this programmatically. This is what programs such as Anonymizer and Tor stand for.
How to install: step-by-step instructions
Let's look at how to install a proxy server on Windows 7.
Before you start setting up a proxy server, you need to know its IP address and port. The list of proxy servers can be viewed on the following sites:
- 2ip.ru/proxy;
- hideme.ru/proxy-list;
- spys.ru;
- xseo.in/freeproxy.
The Internet on the local network of any organization is a double-edged weapon: as they say, you want it and you don’t want it. On the one hand, it is now almost impossible to work without “connection with the outside world,” and there is a lot of useful information on the global network; on the other hand, connecting to the office Internet network sharply reduces its information security, and careless employees will not fail to immediately take advantage of “ freebie."
Therefore, the decision to include a proxy server in the enterprise’s local network remains the only correct and most economical one - it will act as a kind of security on the way to the global information web.
Practice has shown that free proxies are very slow and are not suitable for such purposes. Therefore, we decided to buy a couple of elite proxies on, where the Internet channel speed is 100 Mbit/s.
And in this article we will look at the proxy server settings on a computer with Windows 7 OS, and also touch on the question of how to connect the Internet through a local network proxy server.
Let’s make a reservation right away that we’re talking about installing a proxy yourself, and using all kinds of software for these purposes is the topic of a separate, very informative article.
Why do you need a proxy server?
First, let's briefly look at how a proxy server works, and why this device is needed on a simple local network
So, a proxy server is a set of software that regulates access settings to external resources (in the general case, to the global Internet).
Essentially, a proxy server indicates that one of its network connections is external and the other is internal.
At the same time, for the internal connection, it assigns certain access rules to the external connection.
The reverse function of a proxy server is also important for an office: to prevent overly curious hackers from the “outside world” (from the vast expanses of the Internet) from accessing information stored on the local network.
How to use a proxy server?
The use of a proxy server is available for static IP addresses (i.e., manually specified in the network card settings) from the selected range.
So, if the external network has the address 192.168.X.X, then the internal network should not overlap with it in addressing (for example, 172.16.X.X).
The settings of the end devices are set from the appropriate range: that is, 172.16.0.16 or 172.16.230.175 - the main thing is that the first two pairs of digits match (when using the network mask 255.255.0.0).
How to configure the proxy server address?
It is better to immediately determine what the IP address of your proxy server will be (usually 172.16.0.1 is used).
It should be noted here that both the address of the end device and the address of the server itself depend on the selected network mask.
So, the mask 255.255.255.0 will give you only 256 addresses of type 172.16.0.X, the mask 255.255.0.0 already provides 65536 addresses of type 172.16.X.X, and the mask 255.0.0.0 gives 16777216 addresses. And the proxy server address can be any from the selected range.
How to set up a proxy server?
Let’s say right away that using all kinds of programs developed for the MS Windows family that partially or fully perform server functions is not the best solution for the office. Ideally, the server is a separate computer and exclusively on a Unix system.
However, here we will look at the “classic” option: setting up a proxy server based on standard Windows functions.
So, to install a local proxy server on your computer (all parameters are considered for Windows 7):
1. Go to: “Start” -> “Control Panel” -> “Network and Sharing Center” ->
2. In the list that appears, select the Internet connection shortcut, right-click on it once and select “Properties”
3. Here in the “Access” tab:
Check the box next to “Allow other network users to use this computer’s Internet connection.”
- Next, a system warning may appear that the settings will change - confirm this action;
4. In the “Network” tab, select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP)” and click the “Properties” button
- - Select “Use the following IP address”;
- - Specify the IP address of the proxy server;
- - Specify the selected network mask;
- - Leave the “Default gateway” field empty;
- - Click “OK” and “OK” again
At this point, the minimum proxy server settings have been completed; then, if desired, you can separately set authorization (login/password), content filtering, usage monitoring, etc. (this is additional software).
How to connect to a proxy server?
After setting up the server itself, you must also configure the connection to it on all computers on the local network.
So, to log into the proxy server on a computer running Windows 7:
1. Go to: “Start” -> “Control Panel” -> “Network and Sharing Center” -> “Change adapter settings.”
2. In the list that appears, select your connection, right-click on it and select “Properties”:
In the Network tab, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP) and click the Properties button.
- Select “Use the following IP address”.
- Specify the IP address of this computer from the selected range.
- Specify the selected netmask
- In the “Default gateway” field, enter the IP address of our proxy server
Click "OK" and "OK" again
3. Go to your browser settings.
Here you need to set the following data:
Go to: “Connections” -> “Network settings” -> “Use a proxy server for local connections”;
Enter the address of your proxy server (leave port 80)
You can also set these parameters through the Windows 7 control panel:
Can't connect to the proxy server: what to do?
Often, when connecting through a proxy server, a connection error occurs (the server refuses to accept the connection).
As a rule, the reason lies either in the communication line itself or in the installed settings.
The “ping” command will help you check the connection with the server at the physical level. If the line is OK, reboot the server (still on MS Windows) and check the settings of both the server itself and the client.
Everyone has heard about a proxy server, but only advanced users know what it is. Meanwhile, this is a useful thing that is worth familiarizing yourself with, because a proxy provides many advantages, you just need to configure it correctly in Windows 7.
What is it and why is it needed
A proxy north is a link between your computer and the web resource with which a connection is established. A request from your computer goes first to the proxy server (remote computer), and then to the network. Feedback also occurs with the help of a “mediator”.
Connection diagram using a proxy server
A proxy server allows you to be anonymous on the Internet. It has its own IP address, and since communication with the network is carried out through it, your IP address remains undetected. This is the main advantage, from which there are several reasons why you should install a proxy on your computer.
For our experiments, we bought several private proxies on, choosing Russian IPv4 proxies.
Connecting to a proxy server - how to install it on your computer
How to configure work in different browsers
Perhaps you have several browsers on your computer, but only want to use a proxy server on one of them. Then configuration in the Toolbar is not required; we will do it in the browser. The first step is similar for all browsers: clear history, cache and cookies. After the action, they differ slightly from each other.
Setting up in Chrome, Yandex, Opera and Amigo
In these browsers, the instructions look identical.
How to set connection settings in Firefox
- “Tools” - “Settings” - “Advanced” - “Network” - “Customize” - “Manual configuration”.
- Enter the address and port of the selected server in the line corresponding to the proxy type.
Setting up a proxy server in Mozilla Firefox
How to enable in other popular browsers
The settings are similar for different browsers and require similar actions. The only difference is where the network settings are located in your browser. So read the above methods and review your settings.
How to find out the IP address and port
There are two easiest ways.
- If you connected a proxy on your computer, you can check the address by going through the chain. “Control Panel” - “Network and Sharing Center”. Right-click on the active connection and select “Properties”. The address will be written in the TCP/IP item.
- Another easy way is to check the address online. The most popular services:
- https://2ip.ru
- https://whoer.net/ru
- http://myip.ru
- http://pr-cy.ru/browser-details
- http://xseo.in/ipinfo
How to disable proxy?
If you installed the proxy server yourself, disabling it will not be difficult, and you won’t need instructions. Where during setup it was necessary to allow the use of a proxy server, uncheck the box.
Lifehacker has already talked about how to buy a virtual server (VPS) to bypass Internet blocks. But VPN works for all programs that have Internet access. If you want traffic to be redirected to another server in the browser only, create your own .
Considering the ban on anonymizers and VPNs, which may begin to be applied in practice at any time, having your own proxy server will guarantee your freedom on the Internet.
How to create a proxy
How to choose and buy a VPS is described in detail in the material on raising a VPN. Let's not repeat ourselves and move straight to setting up a proxy server.
How to run a proxy on individual sites
To use the proxy server only on certain sites, install the FoxyProxy extension in your browser.
Open the extension settings and click Add New Proxy. On the Proxy Details tab, enter the IP address and port number that you previously specified in Putty. Check the SOCKS Proxy option.
Go to the URL Patterns tab and add masks for the sites where proxies should be used. To add a site mask, click Add New Patterns, enter its address with asterisks on both sides: for example, *site.com*.
When the proxy extension is enabled, only those sites whose masks you included in the list will be displayed. The remaining addresses will open without a proxy.
You can not create a list in FoxyProxy, but use the “ ” extension. It contains a list of “Anti-censorship”, which covers most of the sites blocked in Russia.
Click on the extension icon on the taskbar and open the “Custom proxies” tab. Check the “Use YOUR OWN proxy” option, enter the IP address and port number.
How to save a session
For the proxy server to work, you need to constantly run a Putty session. You can save your settings so that all you have to do to connect is enter your password.
Launch Putty. Set up the connection as shown above and go to the Data tab in the Connection section. Enter a name for automatic authorization: usually it is root, but the hoster can assign something else in the letter.
Go to the Session tab, enter any name in the Saved Sessions field and click Save.
Your connection will be saved in the list of sessions.
The next time you start Putty, select it, click Load, then Open to establish a connection and enter the password from the server that the hoster sent in the letter.