How to connect VirtualBox through proxy

Oracle VM VirtualBox is a virtual machine manager that allows the user to perform virtualization and run several operating systems on a single physical machine, with each operating system working as a virtual machine in its own right.

Proxies allow the data to be properly relayed between the said machine and the outer net. Merging VirtualBox with a proxy strengthens security because the real IP address of the virtual machines is not visible from the outer networks due to anonymity provided by the proxy.

There are two main options that allow configuration of a proxy in VirtualBox:

• Proxy configuration for NAT in VirtualBox. One of the configuration options for this mode is a NAT network adapter which manages networks and internet traffic outbound from the virtual machine and overrides outgoing internet traffic through the proxy settings of the VM, making it easy to have different IP addresses on several Virtual Machines.
• Proxy configuration on the Host. While using this apply, a Host server proxy configuration is applied which enables seamless exchange of all incoming and outgoing network traffic: for the VirtualBox and for all VMs present on it. This is a great help when we need all the virtual machines and applications running on the host to have a common IP.

Next, we will outline the steps necessary for achieving each of the proxy configuration methods.

Proxy configuration for virtual machine hosts in VirtualBox

In this scenario, the most effective approach is to utilize the Proxifier software, which enables the proxying of the entire user system. Proxifier allows the use of private proxy servers with authorization capabilities without any limitations. This is advantageous because, with standard setups on Windows, only browsers and applications that support proxy authorization are covered. The system settings themselves do not permit entering these credentials. Following this article, you will find detailed instructions on how to configure proxy settings using Proxifier.

Step-by-step proxy server setup for NAT in VirtualBox

1. First, open the network section on the settings of your virtual machine on VirtualBox.

   

2. Now, set the network adapter option to NAT configuration. This mode makes sure that the virtual machine is not connected to the network by establishing a private internal network that only exists in VirtualBox.

   

3. After launching the virtual machine, proceed to configure a proxy within the guest OS being emulated.

   

Windows OS is what we are emulating. Hence, the Proxifier program is the most suitable program for configuring the proxy. Proxifier works even for MacOS. For other OSs, you might have to use default OS configurations or other software tools that are designed for traffic proxying.

Utilizing a proxy with VirtualBox is crucial for enhancing network security. It also supports various use cases such as testing web applications, automating tasks and bulk requests, and accessing restricted or blocked resources. For optimal performance, consider using static ISP proxies, which offer speed and stability. Alternatively, dynamic residential or mobile proxy servers can provide a high level of trustworthiness.