How to Change IP Address by Using Proxies and Stay Anonymous

The necessity to know how to change the IP address of a device can arise from many circumstances. The users often modify their IP address in frustration from encountering blocks or region-based restrictions. Another case could be if the user is utilizing a blacklisted address, and this problem can be solved with the use of proxy settings. Let's shift our attention to how to modify an IP address utilizing a proxy.

How to Change IP Address: Methods for Windows, macOS, and Browsers

Can you change your IP address? Yes, indeed. As in any other configuration, information such as the server's IP address and port number is required. In the case of private options, it may also be necessary to include a username and a password.

Nevertheless, the setup steps differ depending on which method you will use. In this section, we will discuss the most frequently encountered cases: at the operating system level and in the browser. So, if you are asking how to hide my IP address, there are plenty of ways to do so described below.

Windows

We will consider the configuration process for Windows because most applications default to utilizing the system’s settings. In Windows, there are multiple methods for how to change the proxy server settings:

• through the graphical interface of the OS or third-party programs;
• using command-line scripts in Windows or terminal commands in Unix-based systems.

In our previous posts containing guides to Windows 10 and 11, all of the instructions include a full walkthrough for configuration via the GUI. But for our more tech-savvy users, below, we'll outline a few additional methods for proxy server IP changes.

Group policy editor

One of the more powerful and widely used tools for domain administrators. This feature can be devoted to exploiting to change system controls and behavior or to limiting control windows utilizing users' domain. If your PC is on a corporate network, and you have some frustrating restrictions on setting up an intermediary server, try this.

1. Start menu, then “Settings”.

   

2. In the search, “policy” – will prompt the correct suggestion.

   

3. Alternatively, you can press the Win + R key combination and type in the following command: “gpedit.msc”.

   

4. Navigate to the following location in the editor. Use the screenshot below.

   

5. Make sure that “Enabled” is checked in the opened window and in the Options section, choose “Disable Authenticated Proxy usage”, and then click on “OK”.

   

6. Go back to the editor and browse to “Configure Connected User Experiences and Telemetry”.

   

7. Once again choose “Enabled” and fill the options with the IP of the proxy server followed by a colon and port, and click “OK”.

   

Utilizing command line

In case you own a modified version of Windows and the OS does not follow the default structure, then you may utilize the command line to set the proxy settings.

1. Click on the Start icon, locate cmd in the list, then right click on it and select “Run as administrator”.

   

2. Type the following command: “netsh winhttp set proxy server:port”. Example: netsh winhttp set proxy 82.211.9.160:50100. Hit the “Enter” button.

   

3. Once you complete the required steps to configure the proxy, a dialog box will display in the browser requesting a username and password.

   

4. A prompt of this nature could also pop up from the Windows system itself.

   

5. To reset the configuration, utilize the following command: “netsh winhttp reset proxy”.

Guidance for macOS

On macOS, configuration can be performed on a system-wide basis or limited to the browser. An article that addresses proxy configuration is available for Safari.

To set up system-wide configuration, follow this:

1. From the top left, click the apple icon and click System Preferences.

   

2. Network should be selected next.

   

3. From the list on the left, select the network interface you wish to configure and select Advanced.

   

4. You will now select the “Proxies” tab and check the protocols that you want to utilize. It will be necessary to provide a host and port for every one of them. In case of a private server, your username and password should, however, be entered in their corresponding fields.

   

Alternatively, via Terminal, you can change settings too:

• “networksetup -setwebproxy ethernet server host”;
• “networksetup -setwebproxystate ethernet on”.

In this context, the terms "server" and "host" are used to refer to the IP address and port.

To restore these settings: “networksetup -setwebproxystate ethernet off”.

Steps for Change Chrome Proxy Settings​

Google Chrome, as a popular browser, utilizes the proxy settings of the operating system. You simply need to change the browser’s settings and go to a part that will automatically take you to the needed window. This is helpful in the case where a user not only browses the internet with Chrome but also has other applications on the computer that also use the internet.

For a more specific task such as circumventing static IP limitations, controlling what parts of the system use the proxy only for Chrome's traffic can be accomplished with extensions designed for that purpose. Special tasks, which can include but are not limited to:

• web scraping;
• testing;
• posting (useful when frequent IP-change proxies are needed).

Certain extensions include advanced features that allow users to effortlessly modify their location, program rotation timers, and add lists of set addresses, ensuring precise and improved adjustment of Chrome proxy settings​.

What Are the Security Risks When Using Proxies?

When you change your IP address using a proxy, you should know the security risks involved.

• First, proxies can expose you to data interception. Since your traffic passes through a proxy server, anyone controlling that server could capture your data. This risk increases with free proxy servers because they often lack encryption and may log or sell your browsing data to third parties.
• Another threat is malware injection. Malicious proxies can insert harmful code or ads into the websites you visit. You might not notice these scripts tracking your activities or redirecting you to unsafe pages.
• Also, IP leaks can occur if the proxy doesn’t mask your real IP fully or exposes your DNS requests, revealing your true identity online.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks are common with HTTP proxies. These proxies transfer your traffic without encryption, making it easy for attackers to hijack and manipulate your data.

How to Reduce Proxy Risks

To avoid these risks, always use HTTPS or SOCKS5 proxies, which provide stronger encryption and better security.

Here’s how to reduce risks when you change your IP address using a proxy:

1. Choose reputable paid proxy services like Proxy-Seller that do not log your data.
2. Prefer proxies that support HTTPS or SOCKS5 protocols for encryption.
3. Combine proxy use with a VPN for an extra layer of security.
4. Regularly test your connection for IP and DNS leaks using online leak tests.
5. Watch for unusual ads or tracking scripts, which may indicate a malicious proxy.

Always remember that free proxies come with hidden dangers. They often sell your data or inject tracking code, risking your privacy. Use trusted proxies and verify their security after setup to stay safe.

How to Troubleshoot Proxy Connection Issues

If you can’t connect or your browsing is slow when using a proxy to change your IP address, you can fix most proxy problems with simple steps.

Common issues include:

• Authentication failures where the proxy server refuses your credentials.
• Timeout errors if the proxy is down or slow.
• Sluggish browsing due to overloaded proxies.

Follow these steps to troubleshoot:

1. Double-check your proxy settings Verify the IP address, port number, username, and password.
2. Test different proxy protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5 to see if one works better.
3. Clear your browser cache and cookies to avoid any corrupted data causing issues.
4. Use command-line tools to check connectivity:
   1. Run curl -x [proxy]:[port] [website] to test fetching a website via proxy.
   2. Use telnet [proxy] [port] to see if your device can connect to the proxy server.
5. Check if your firewall or antivirus is blocking proxy connections, and whitelist the proxy if needed.
6. Try switching between different proxy servers or proxy types to identify if the problem lies with a particular proxy.
7. If none of these help and your internet is not working at all, reset your device’s network settings to clear proxy misconfigurations.

Proxy-Seller offers 24/7/365 support, including holidays and weekends, ready to help you troubleshoot quickly and effectively. Its easy-to-use dashboard lets you manage proxies effortlessly, auto-renew subscriptions, and switch between proxies fast, making troubleshooting even simpler.

With these steps, you’ll be able to fix most proxy connection issues and continue to change your IP address without interruptions.

How to Automatically Rotate Proxies for Better Privacy

When you want to change my IP address regularly for enhanced privacy or scraping tasks, automatic proxy rotation is essential. Proxy rotation means switching your IP address frequently to prevent sites from detecting or blocking you. It improves anonymity and reduces the chance of bans.

There are three common proxy rotation methods:

• Time-based rotation: Switch proxies after a fixed time interval, such as every 5 minutes.
• Request-based rotation: Change proxies after every web request.
• IP pool switching: Use a pool of proxies and rotate through them randomly or sequentially.

You can use proxy pool services that provide automatic rotation, which simplifies the process. Proxy-Seller’s rotating proxy option helps you cycle through multiple IPs without manual adjustments.

To rotate proxies automatically, you can use these tools and techniques:

• ProxySwitcher software that manages proxy rotation at the system level.
• Custom Python scripts using the requests library to change proxies programmatically in web scraping tasks.

Integrating automatic proxy rotation is vital for tasks requiring multiple IP addresses, like data scraping or automation. However, balance speed and privacy. Frequent changes can slow down connections, so set rotation intervals thoughtfully to maintain good performance.

With these methods, you’ll learn how to change IP addresses efficiently and securely while staying protected from bans and maintaining online privacy.

Conclusion

As described in detail above, one of the most valid ways of anonymous browsing​ is through the use of a proxy server, which can be set up on almost any system.

After setting the relevant configurations, confirming that the designated IP works is crucial. Our proxy checker allows you to verify your IP. The IP address, ISP, and location must be in new server mode and should be different from your actual ones. If the information is incorrect, follow our suggestions and correctly configure your network settings to conceal your IP and protect yourself from numerous online restrictions.