What Do IP and Port of Proxy Server Mean?

Setting up a proxy server often feels like you're staring at an incomprehensible collection of digits. It's an IP address, then a colon, then a port number. This is something so simple to look at, yet fundamentally opaque to many users. So, what exactly do the IP address and port of a proxy server mean? Why are those two pieces of information absolutely vital for your online security and anonymity? If you don't grasp the basics, configuring your connection is just a headache.

We are going to break down the fundamentals of the proxy address and the port, using a simple, old-school analogy to make sense of the confusing numbers. Plus, we'll show you how to find your current proxy settings and even explain the main types of proxy protocols – like HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 – so you can choose a paid proxy server that actually works for what you need it to do. It is time to stop guessing.

Types of Proxy Tools for Anonymity

Here are the most common ways to achieve a reliable, anonymous, and secure internet connection:

• Paid proxy servers (of course, we put them in the first place). It redirects all traffic from the user's computer, so it is almost impossible to track any traffic on the network.
• Shared or public proxy servers. This is a type of proxy that is free and open to everyone on the Internet. In many countries there are a large number of public proxies, but most of them are not anonymous.
• Anonymizers. You can choose from a variety of commercial utilities. But the traffic in the free versions of such programs will be very poor.
• Special browser versions. With the blocks of many popular resources, the Tor browser, which works on the basis of many free proxy servers, has gained wide popularity around the world. The option is far from ideal, but if there is no other way out, it is quite good to use it.

Everything is clear. But how to find the proxy server that is needed? To prevent some misunderstandings, let me tell you exactly what the concepts of a port and an address in a network mean.

Address and Port of the Proxy Server: Understanding the Basics

If we draw an analogy with a classical letter, through which our ancestors communicated with each other before the invention of the Internet, it turns out that the address is the From column on the letter, and the port is the To field. However, unlike a traditional letter, exact values ​​are needed here, rather than general phrases like to my grandfather in the village.

The address is a set of four 3 – digit numbers (from 0 to 255) of the form 192.168.0.254. In fact, this is the village where we want to send the letter. Further, after the colon, there is another number in the range from 0 to 65535 – our favorite grandfather.

How to Find Out Your Proxy Server IP and Port on Different Systems

Now you know it, and we are ready to discuss the whole point. To use proxies effectively, you must locate your proxy IP and proxy port number correctly on your device. There are several possible options:

• Service whoer.net. Entering this resource, you will receive comprehensive information about how your computer connects to the Internet. But if anonymous technology is used when you are accessing the Internet, it is almost impossible to find out the actual address of the proxy server and the port number.
• In the browser settings. Each of the browsers has its own. So, for example, in everyone's favorite Internet Explorer, the corresponding information is hidden here: Internet Options – Connection – Settings.
• In the OS settings. It depends on the version of Windows and the user experience of the person who is setting it up. If the correct hands.sys driver was used (occasionally), then in Windows 10 this information is located at the following address: Settings – Network and Internet – Proxy.

Operating Systems

Windows:

• Open Control Panel → Network → LAN Settings. Here you find proxy details if configured.
• Or, run the command netsh winhttp show proxy in Command Prompt for system-wide proxy info.

macOS:

• Go to System Preferences → Network → Advanced → Proxies tab. Your proxy IP and port appear here if active.

Linux:

• Check your terminal with commands like echo $http_proxy or echo $https_proxy.
• Also, review configuration files such as /etc/environment or ~/.bashrc to find proxy settings.

Web Browsers

Web browsers handle proxy settings separately. Browser-specific proxy configurations override system settings.

• Google Chrome: Settings → Advanced → System → Open computer’s proxy settings. Chrome often follows system settings but can be overridden.
• Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Network Settings → Settings. Firefox can use independent proxy configurations.
• Microsoft Edge: Settings → System → Open proxy settings, similar to Chrome’s approach.

Mobile Devices

• iOS: Settings → Wi-Fi → Tap the network → HTTP Proxy section. You can set Manual or Auto Proxy Configuration using PAC files.
• Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → Modify Network → Proxy settings. Options include Manual or None. For advanced control on rooted Android devices, apps like ProxyDroid let you manage proxies per app or system-wide.

With these steps, you’ll quickly find your proxy IP and proxy port and understand where to adjust them.

After the proxy address was determined (or this proxy was not written at all), often the user comes to the conclusion that it would be possible to change the server to a more reliable one. Here we are, ready to give one obvious piece of advice that is not used by everyone.

... choose the paid proxy server!

It is much more stable than free ones, so if you want to preserve anonymity while surfing the internet – you should prefer it. Simply, such a server will function longer, and the possibility of its sudden shutdown is extremely small (after all, you paid for this service!). You can buy a proxy from many providers. There are a lot of them now, but pay attention to the stability of the proxy server.

The free version is also a good option, but if you are using it – you actually trust your network traffic security to someone who does not even protect it. And if we compare such a scheme of connection with a paid proxy server, all the parameters of which are initially known, there are many fewer arguments in favor of cheese. If the stability for you is not an empty sound. All proxies that we provide are completely anonymous.

The Main Types Of Proxy Servers

You need to know the main proxy port numbers and what they do. Each proxy port supports different traffic and purposes. Here’s a clear list you can rely on:

HTTP (80, 8080, 8008)

An HTTP proxy is designed to work with the hypertext transfer protocol. Simply, suitable for full – fledged viewing sites. You’ll find them used for caching web content and filtering requests to speed up browsing or restrict access. If you connect such a proxy in the operating system settings, it will be active for all browsers at once until you disable it.

HTTPS (443)

This is a proxy with SSL encryption support. This port handles secure, encrypted connections. They differ from the previous type in that they give you the possibility to browse secure sites (their addresses begin with https). Use it when you connect to websites with HTTPS, keeping data private.

SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 (1080, 1081)

SOCKS4/5 support additional data transfer protocols. It may be necessary if you want to configure a proxy not only for the browser but also for individual applications. SOCKS proxies work at a lower level and support various protocols like TCP and UDP. If you want anonymity or need to bypass geo-restrictions for apps like torrent clients or gaming, use SOCKS proxy ports.

CGI

It is a simple proxy server for web surfing. Unlike the others, this type does not require any settings: you go to a special site, enter the desired URL – and the proxy opens this address in the browser as a new tab. At the same time, CGI often displays pages incorrectly and works only within an open tab, which is not always convenient.

Squid (3128)

This is the default squid proxy port. Squid servers use it to cache and forward both HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Squid proxies improve bandwidth and load times by storing copies of frequently accessed web pages.

These proxy port number assignments guide your proxy setup. Choose the right one based on the traffic type and task.

You can use our proxies with almost any application that supports HTTP / HTTPS and Socks5 connection types. It will be useful for you to learn what the difference is between the HTTP, HTTPS and SOCKS 5 protocols.

Common Use Cases and Tools for Proxy IP and Port

You’ll want to use proxy IP and proxy port pairs in real scenarios.

Primary Proxy Use Cases

• Web browsing: Use HTTP or HTTPS proxy ports to speed up access and filter content. Proxy caching reduces load time.
• Secure transactions: Connect through HTTPS proxy port (443) to keep data encrypted.
• Anonymity and geo-unblocking: SOCKS proxy ports (1080, 1081) help apps like torrent clients, gaming platforms, or P2P software bypass restrictions.
• Bandwidth optimization: Squid proxy port (3128) servers cache content, saving network resources and improving response time.
• Enterprise control: Manage user access and content filtering with proxy access control lists (ACLs) and authentication like NTLM or Kerberos.

Automation and Testing Tools

Several tools support proxy IP and proxy port management:

• BrowserStack provides secure tunnels for web testing behind proxies. Its Local Testing tool supports setting proxy-host, proxy-port, and authentication parameters directly from the command line.
• Proxy management apps like Proxifier (Windows), ProxyCap (Windows/macOS), and FoxyProxy (browser add-on) give easy proxy switching and routing.
• Automation frameworks also let you configure proxies:
• Selenium WebDriver uses Proxy objects and DesiredCapabilities to define proxy IP and proxy port in test scripts.
• Cypress accepts proxy settings through environment variables or the cypress.json file.
• Postman lets you set a proxy for API testing, with detailed IP and port input.

Consider combining VPNs and proxies carefully, as double tunneling or split tunneling affects performance and routing.

Proxy-Seller Provider: Authorization and Setup Basics

There are two authorization methods – by login and password and by the main IP. We offer both options, or even both at the same time. When you purchase an order, you are able to choose the authorization method that you need on the order form.

We send the order in the format of the list: proxy, ports, login and password by email (we send every order in 20–30 minutes after payment is confirmed). Our proxies do not require the installation of any third-party software. Just configure them in your browser to get started. But at the same time, our proxies can be used in any software of your choice. Our proxies are compatible with most programs that support it.

We remind you that you cannot use our proxies for hacking, brute force, etc. If your software has no input fields for the proxy login and password, you can request a change of authorization by the main IP. We do not block any sites on the proxy servers, but any activity that violates the terms of the user agreement of our resource entails terminating the proxy server and the inability to return any funds.

Proxy-Seller Recommendation

If you want a reliable proxy provider, Proxy-Seller offers a wide selection of proxies.

• Proxy Types: Residential, ISP, datacenter IPv4 & IPv6, and mobile proxies.
• Protocols: SOCKS5 and HTTP(S) protocol support with easy authentication – username/password or IP whitelisting.
• Coverage: Covers more than 220 countries with over 800 subnets and 400 networks, perfect for web scraping, gaming, and ad verification.
• Management: Their user-friendly dashboard lets you buy bulk proxies, renew automatically, and access APIs for smooth proxy IP and proxy port management.
• Performance: High-speed servers offer up to 1 Gbps connections and 99% uptime, essential for maintaining stable proxy connections.

Using Proxy-Seller and the right proxy port numbers will simplify managing proxies in your projects and daily use.

So, we have told you not only about how to find the proxy server and port but also a lot of related useful information. We were glad to help you.