Anonymous Proxy Detected: Causes & Fixes this Error

Nowadays, people and businesses are increasingly using intermediary servers for privacy reasons, circumventing region-based restrictions, and automated data retrieval tasks. Unfortunately, not all websites welcome such connections. In an effort to protect their servers from DDoS attacks, bots, content scraping, and other malicious activities, many websites monitor and restrict traffic routed through proxies. This often leads to the following warning: “anonymous proxy detected.” This indicates that the security system of the website has detected an intermediary server and therefore blocked access.

Let’s analyze what an anonymous proxy is, the reasons behind this error, and methods to bypass it while retaining essential access.

What Does Anonymous Proxy Detected Mean

Intermediary servers can be classified into three categories based on the level of anonymity: transparent, anonymous, and elite. A server is considered anonymous based on the level of identification it reveals to the target website, as well as if it identifies itself as a middleman.

An “anonymous proxy detected” meaning error occurs when a site’s security system evaluates the HTTP headers, traffic patterns, address reputation, and other intricate details, and considers the use of a node as sufficiently dangerous. Websites often combine their own behavioral detection algorithms with reputation-based blacklisting external databases of known malicious IPs.

Such servers become increasingly more common in today’s browsing environment, understanding their limitations becomes equally as important. This warning arises from them being used, but the servers themselves do not trigger this warning. It is remotely possible for them to trigger warning signs as a result of their detectable traits.

Reasons for “Anonymous Proxy Detected” Error

To safeguard information and circumvent geo-restrictions, some users resort to intermediaries that conceal their addresses. However, if such proxies are not configured properly, they may trigger a website’s security systems. In addition to improper configuration, several other reasons can lead to this error. Here are the main ones:

• Utilization of a Public IP. Free anonymizers tend to draw from a pool of public IPs that have been overexploited by scrapers, fraudsters etc. Due to abuse, such IPs tend to get blacklisted and therefore result in lost connections.
• Improper browser configurations. The error message “anonymous proxy detected” can also occur on Android, iPhone, macOS, or Windows systems even when using a private one and WebRTC is not disabled in the browser’s advanced settings.
• Operating system and router misconfigurations. DNS requests may be routed outside of the node due to improperly set parameters at the operating system level or in the router settings, revealing the user’s true location.
• Transmission of HTTP/HTTPS headers. Standard headers, including Via and X-Forwarded-For, are automatically appended by intermediary servers to outgoing requests. Such headers exposed by such a server reveal its usage. SOCKS5 ones are less detectable by security systems because they do not transmit these headers.
• Utilizing data center intermediaries. Even paid IP addresses can trigger this error if they belong to a datacenter instead of a genuine internet service provider. This can easily be flagged by modern anti-fraud systems as a potential indication of automated behavior or masking.

The warning “Anonymous Proxy Detected” can arise due to both the use of publicly available IPs and improperly configured parameters. To optimize the chances of avoiding this issue, it is best to follow the instructions stated below.

How to Fix this Error?

There are a number of ways on how to fix anonymous proxy detected errors. A specific approach will be effective depending on whether the user has access to a paid or free intermediary server, the environment where the error occurs, and the user’s technical expertise. Let us explore several solutions, beginning with the simplest and progressing to the more complex, including the utilizing of Python scripts.

Delete Your Cache and Cookies

Cookies and cache files allow websites to recognize users and track repeat visits. Therefore, even with the use of an intermediary, the data stored on your browser may reveal your true identity and result in the triggering of the error.

Clearing cache and cookies is uniform across different browsers. Go to the browser’s Settings, navigate to Privacy and Security, and select Clear Browsing Data. You may also search through the settings for quicker navigation.

Turning Off WebRTC in Different Browsers

WebRTC has the capability to expose your genuine IP address even if you are connected to a proxy or a VPN. This is because of its peer-to-peer connection model that sends IP and other connection information in a raw form.

To turn off this feature, you need to set the value to 'Disabled' on your browser. Access methods differ based on the browser in use.

Mozilla Firefox

• Type about:config in the URL field
• Click “Accept the Risk and Continue” to proceed with making the advanced change.

  

• In the search box type media.peerconnection.enabled. This time, double click on it and change the value to False.

  

Google Chrome

Visit the Chrome Web Store and look for the extension named “WebRTC Control.” Following installation, the plugin should be showing a blue icon which indicates that the WebRTC blocking feature is on.

Microsoft Edge

Enter about:flags in the URL field. Search for WebRTC. Find the “Hide my local IP address when using WebRTC” option and check it on.

Safari

1. Access the Preferences menu in the browser Safari. Enable the option "Show Develop menu in menu bar."
2. In the newly added “Develop” menu, navigate to “Experimental Features” and activate the option “Remove Legacy WebRTC API.”

   

Note: This workaround is only applicable for macOS versions earlier than 10.14.4. For anonymous proxy detected iPhone fix with iOS 12 and later, there is no way to block WebRTC – this option is unavailable due to Apple restrictions.

Use of Residential Intermediaries

To mitigate the chances of being blocked, as well as to provide uninterrupted access to target resources, such types provide the best solution. These servers use addresses assigned through internet service providers to real people, so their traffic is perceived by websites as normal user traffic.

Allowing IP Rotation

A large number of requests from a single address increases the chance that the interaction will be construed as suspicious. As a result, the connection may be terminated by the system’s security mechanisms, especially if the data seems to come from automated sources.

In the case of automated activity, a straightforward solution to the “Anonymous Proxy Detected” problem is rotation. It is vital to differentiate type of such nodes:

• Dynamic: These are set to rotate IPs automatically, at specified intervals with no manual intervention configuration.
• Static: These utilize one address exclusively, and changing to a different one from a supplied list requires external tools like scripts, such as those written in Python.

Below is an example of a Python script that utilizes rotating proxies:

import requests
import itertools
import time

# List in the format "http://username:password@ip:port"
proxies_list = [
"http://user1:pass1@192.168.1.101:8080",
"http://user2:pass2@192.168.1.102:8080",
"http://user3:pass3@192.168.1.103:8080",
]

# Create a cyclic iterator
proxy_pool = itertools.cycle(proxies_list)

# Headers to simulate a real browser
headers = {
'User-Agent': 'Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64)'
}

# Target URL
target_url = "https://httpbin.org/ip"

for i in range(10):  # Example: 10 requests
proxy = next(proxy_pool)
proxies = {
"http": proxy,
"https": proxy,
}
try:
response = requests.get(target_url, proxies=proxies, headers=headers, timeout=10)
print(f"[{i+1}] IP via proxy: {response.json()['origin']}")
except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
print(f"[{i+1}] Error using intermediary server {proxy}: {e}")
time.sleep(2)  # Delay between requests (can be adjusted)

This script iterates over a list of intermediaries and uses the addresses provided in the list to send requests to https://httpbin.org/ip, which exposes the external IP address in use. It also introduces delays between the switches to minimize the risk of detection as suspicious.

Using a Proxy Chain

Chaining them is a method to enhance anonymity by increasing the number of sequential intermediate servers utilized on a connection.

Under normal circumstances, your device connects to a basic one node which connects to the target website. In this case, however, the connection will be through a chain of them. The flow of traffic for this scenario is as follows: Client → Proxy 1 → 2 → 3 → Website.

Because each intermediary conceals the information of the one before it, anonymity and resistance to surveillance are significantly improved.

The simplest way to configure such a chain is through Proxifier. In the application, you can add a list of addresses and specify the order of how the traffic should flow.

Choosing the Best Proxies to Avoid Detection

Previously, we discussed the reasons behind the “Anonymous Proxy Detected” error and its implications. The main cause of this error is the use of anonymizers, especially free ones that are exploited and abused which in turn get blacklisted. To avoid this problem, a proper solution needs to be sought after. The following lists important tips that one should consider how to choose a proxy effectively:

• Always choose paid private options from reputable providers. Usually, free services are overloaded, hacked, and are often blacklisted due to their history of abuse.
• Go for residential or mobile types of intermediaries. They are less likely to be flagged or blocked as they utilize IPs allocated to actual users.
• Make sure to match the IPs or region with the target site. This helps avoid suspicion from regional security filters.
• Ensure no identifying headers such as X-Forwarded-For or Via are sent that would indicate the presence of a proxy server.
• Ensure no DNS and WebRTC leaks. Having an intermediary does not guarantee anonymity, especially when these leaks can expose your true address.
• Timed or session-based IP rotation. Regularly refreshing them aids staying under the radar during automated tasks.
• Check IP reputation before use. You can confirm that the address is not listed in known spam databases using publicly accessible checkers.

Conclusion

The error “Anonymous Proxy Detected” is mostly triggered when a user employs an IP address with a bad reputation, commonly found to be public, previously blocked, or misconfigured. It shows that the site is aware of the usage of an intermediary and has blocked access for security purposes.

While some technical changes may help, such as header modifications, DNS/WebRTC leak repairs, or rotation implementation, the best approach is still the use of verified private proxy infrastructure. These solutions mask and anonymize the location while also protecting against detection and access restrictions, ensuring consistent operation and fortifying proxies for cybersecurity applications.