How to Find Your Proxy Server Address Easily

Proxy servers are essential because when configured correctly, they ensure your privacy, anonymity, and secure access to online resources. Users can conceal their true IP address, get around geographic data blocks and filters, and boost data load speeds via caching.

In this article, you will learn what is a proxy server address refers to and how to find proxy server addresses on different systems such as in browsers, computers, and mobile devices according to the respective operating systems.

What Is a Proxy Server?

In simple terms, a proxy server acts as a bridge between a user's device and a particular server. It accepts a user's request, sends it to a specific server, and forwards the answer returned by the server back to the user.

In order to use a proxy server address, the following credentials must be provided:

• IP Address – this refers to the unique identification of the server.
• Port – this serves as the communication channel through which data is relayed.
• Protocol – the format of interaction must be specified such as HTTP or SOCKS5.
• Authorization data – username and passwords are needed when connecting to paid proxies.

Grasping these parameters will assist you in correctly using the web proxy address for your purposes.

Different Types of Proxies

Now, let us examine the primary proxies in reference to their classification types. It must be noted that proxies can be divided by several criteria.

With regard to the degree of concealment of the user's information, there are two categories: transparent and anonymous. Transparent proxies are those that allow the real IP address of the user to be seen, and they also enable traffic filtering or monitoring but are not private. Anonymous proxies are used to hide IPs, therefore, they cloak the user's identity from trackers, enable overcoming geo-blocks, and reduce the effects of hacking attacks. They are utilized for safe browsing, multi-account management, and online task automation.

The classification of proxies by obtaining methods is described in the table below.

*RIR (Regional Internet Registry) – a regional Internet registry responsible for assigning IP addresses and autonomous system numbers to clients in a given location.

Different types of proxies exist according to the protocol layer, such as:

• HTTP. Designed for basic web request proxies. It is used for easy browsing and working with unprotected data.
• SOCKS5. It is a flexible protocol that supports a range of traffic including gaming, streaming and large file downloading.
• HTTPS. Aimed at more secure works over the internet. It works well with confidential information like those found on online stores and bank websites.

Proxies are also categorized with respect to the allocation of the IP address into two types: static and dynamic. With static proxies, a single IP address is used for the entire duration of usage making it ideal for tasks that require a steady connection This is the case when working with payments systems or other corporate services. Static include datacenter and ISP proxies.

Dynamic proxies periodically alter the IP address of their users after a certain amount of time or upon a defined number of requests. Such options are best suited for parsing where high anonymity and alternative addresses are required. Mobile and residential proxies are under this category.

Why Should You Use a Proxy Server?

The primary use cases of proxy ip addresses are as follows:

• Enabling anonymity to the user by means of concealing the user’s original IP. As a result, the user can operate on the internet without fearing privacy breaches or being tracked.
• Moderate usage of online resources by employees in a corporate environment by controlling and monitoring of activity. Proxies assist in blocking access aid dubious sites and improving network security measures restraining the organization.
• Evading geographical barriers and accessing content limited to specific regions. A proxy makes it easy to use regional versions of websites or services that are non-existent in the user’s country.
• Tasks such as data collection, bulk activities on other social networks, or services can be automated without fear of blocks. Proxies help in avoiding CAPTCHAs by providing unique IP addresses, allowing for an increased limit on request submissions.

To ensure confidentiality, control traffic, automate processes, or bypass restrictions, proxies serve the purpose To surf the web anonymously, manage access in a corporate network, gain access to blocked content, and perform mass operations online are few of the many capabilities that proxies provide. The use of these proxies help make using the internet safer and more effective.

Proxy Address on Browsers

Now, let’s answer the question: how to find my proxy server address?

Checking the address and other proxy server data may be necessary regardless of the chosen proxy type and the tasks assigned to it. This is useful in the case of device connection breakdowns, security checkups, or new software installation. Among others, this will make it easy to find the proxy address.

Google Chrome

In the case of Google Chrome, proxy settings are linked to OS settings.

1. Launch the app, proceed to the upper right corner where you can see the user icon, click on the three vertical dots, and select “Settings” after scrolling down the menu.

   

2. Scroll down to the very bottom and choose “System”. Also, choose “Open your computer's proxy settings”.

   

3. The proxy server will be shown in the manually adjusted tab including IP address and port settings.

   

It is noteworthy that these settings are system-based, hence they will change for all applications on the network.

Safari

For macOS and iOS devices, the proxy address can be found within the Safari browser using the method stated below:

1. Launch the application and select “Preferences” after clicking on “Safari” which can be found right next to the apple sign.

   

2. A new window will pop up, click on “Advanced” then click on “Change Settings” which is located beside “Proxies”.

   

3. The data and ports used for the IP address of the specific protocol will be included in the box entitled “Proxies”.

   

It is important to note that these changes are global and will affect every application on the system.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox has its own browser that uses Gecko engine which allows usage of custom proxy settings hence it does not rely on Windows parameters.

To find them:

1. Launch the web browser, hit the three horizontal stripes at the top right corners and open “Settings”.

   

2. Under settings, choose “General”, scroll to the bottom, and locate “Network Settings” click on “Settings”.

   

3. The new tab that opens contains all the necessary information, including proxy host, port, and authorization details if available.

   

These settings can be changed independently for Firefox without influencing other applications on the device.

Microsoft Edge

Similar to Chrome, in Edge, settings are linked to operating system parameters due to the shared engine across browsers.

1. Launch the web browser, click on the three dots placed at the top right side of the page, and go to the “Settings” section.

   

2. Click on “System and performance” from the left column and scroll down the screen, and click the “Open your computer’s proxy settings” button.

   

3. The changes made in this window will enable the display of required data if manual settings are set.

As with Chrome, these parameters are linked to system settings hence in both cases the parameters windows are similar.

Proxy Address on Mobile

The procedure for retrieving particular information regarding the proxy on mobile devices depends on the specific OS. Below we give detailed guides for Android and IOS devices.

iOS

On iOS devices, the proxy server address is adjusted for every individual Wi-Fi connection:

1. Tap the “Settings” icon first.

   

2. To get access to proxy settings, locate the hostname for the Wi-Fi connection tab and enable it (if it is not enabled, please do so).

   

3. Hit the icon (i) adjacent to the wireless network name.

   

4. Move the page down to the area marked “HTTP Proxy”.

   

5. There are three of the below options:
   • “Off”: The proxy will not be used.
   • “Manual”: In this mode, as well as in addition to viewing the server, port, and if needed username and password can also be specified.
   • “Automatic”: This will be indicated in the field if a URL for auto configuration is used.

   

Android

Similarly, on the other hand, Android devices have their proxy settings for every one of the Wi-Fi networks.

To check the proxy settings from a phone or tablet with Android OS follow these steps:

1. Select the “gear” icon to display required settings.

   

2. From the available collection of options, pick the first one which is “Network and Internet”. Make a selection for Wi-Fi and connect to the network on the right side, if you have not already done that.

   

3. Press and hold the name of the network for several seconds. A pop-up menu will appear in the window. From it choose the option which states “Modify Network” or any similar wording. This will depend on the model of the device.

   

4. Locate and tap “Proxy Server” and there select the “manual” option of entering the necessary data required for connection.

   

5. The corresponding details will show up on the window if the proxy is activated.

   

Proxy Address on Computers

On a PC, the location of the proxy connection details is determined by the operating system in use. Now, let us check how it is done for the most popular OSs, which are Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Windows

For the devices with this OS, this is how to locate the proxy set-up:

1. In the menu labelled “Start”, look for the “Settings” option or use the keyboard combination of Win + I.

   

2. Click on the “Network and Internet” tab.

   

3. Click on “Proxy” on the left. This will open a new tab which will contain the following details:
   • If the manual settings are on then the IP address and port are going to be displayed.
   • if the “use setup script” option is selected, such data will not be shown. Therefore, it will be necessary to use the specified URL to obtain the required configuration.

   

MacOS

To find the required configurations on devices with the MacOS, do the following:

1. Click the apple logo in the upper left and press the “System Preferences” button.

   

2. Locate and press the “Network” option from the list given.

   

3. Locate and select the connection you are using, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet, then press the “Advanced” button.

   

4. In the horizontal panel, open the “Proxy” tab. Here you can see which proxy protocols are active and, if there is any, the server (IP address) and port will be specified.

   

If an automatic setup is employed, it is necessary to check whether a URL is prescribed in the “Automatic Proxy Configuration” box.

Linux

On laptops and desktops with Linux OS, the way to the settings may change depending on the used desktop environment like GNOME, MATE, XFCE, KDE, etc. However, despite the differences in skin, the users intend to get to the settings which are responsible for the internet and the network.

As an example, let’s see how you can check the proxy server and its address within the XFCE desktop environment:

1. Open “Control Center” from the application menu (like the “Start” in Windows).

   

2. Proceed to “Network Proxy” under “Internet and Network” category.

   

3. The specified setup will reflect any manually set IP address, port, and other parameters if the proxy is set up manually.

   

If an automatic setup is used, a URL for configuration will be indicated.

In addition, there is another equally straightforward method to find out the proxy server address in Linux OS:

1. Start “Terminal” from the application’s menu.

   

2. Type and Enter the command: env | grep -i proxy.

   

The results will show variables associated with the proxy settings; for example, http_proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080, ftp_proxy=http://proxy.example.com:8080, etc. If no output is received the assumption made is that the proxy server is not configured.

Conclusion

You have learned how to get a proxy server and how to locate the IP address and port of the proxy server on multiple devices and operating systems, allowing you to easily evaluate existing configurations and if needed, make adjustments. For example, in Windows and MacOS this is achieved with the aid of system network parameters while on graphical Linux, it entirely depends on which desktop environment is being used. Also, on mobile devices with Android and iOS the proxy is set for each Wi-Fi network used.

We also covered what is proxy IP address, port, and protocol, which proved invaluable for comprehensive connection settings. Proper work with network proxy servers makes it possible to reach target resources unrestricted, while providing constant protection against threats to a reliable cyberspace.