Proxy Servers and Web Browsers

Web browsers can be configured to utilize proxy servers. Proxy servers receive requests from client computers to access websites and return results while masquerading as both the client to the visited website, and as the server to the client computer. They effectively make it so the client computer only interacts with the proxy server to access the whole Internet. While proxy servers enable you to surf anonymously, they may slow down your online experience.

There are many free proxy servers that you can use. To find a suitable proxy server, visit Public Proxy Servers.com then choose a proxy server in your geographic area. Each server has an IP address and port number. This information is used to configure Internet Explorer (IE) or Firefox.

How to configure Internet Explorer’s proxy settings

1. Select Tools in the IE toolbar, then choose Internet Options.



2. Click the Connections tab.



3. Click the LAN settings button.



4. Check the box Use a proxy server for your LAN

5. Type the IP address of your chosen proxy server into the Address field, and then enter the Port number listed for that particular server.

6. Finally, check the box titled Bypass proxy server for local addresses. This simply makes your computer viewable on your private network.



7. Click OK.

8. From the Internet Options window, Apply the settings, then click OK.

How to configure Firefox’s proxy settings

1. Select Tools, and then select Options from the Firefox toolbar.



2. Select the Settings button from the opening dialog screen.



3. Click the Manual proxy configuration radio button, and then enter in the HTTP Proxy IP address and Port number.



4. Click OK, then OK again.

Testing the connection

After setting up your browser, whether it’s IE or Firefox, try to connect to a website. If you experience problems, the proxy server might be down. Go back through the process and choose another proxy server until one can be found that works.