What is a Proxy Server – How to Set Up and Use One in 2025

A proxy server works as a gateway between your device and the websites you want to access. Instead of connecting directly to a website (which acts as a server), you route your connection through a 3rd party server that has the purpose of protecting your online footprint. That way, you can keep your IP address hidden from any prying eyes.

However, there are multiple types of proxies — and not all of them will keep your connection safe and protect you and your personal information from cyber hazards. I tested 45+ proxies to see which had the best security, speeds, and network connections, and shortlisted the ones offering the best overall performance.

What is a Proxy and How Does it Work?

A proxy tunnels your internet connection through its own servers, sending web requests on your behalf. It then filters the response from the site server and sends its data to you so you can access the webpage in your browser. With a proxy server, all the data you send — such as your IP address — is changed, while still giving you access to the desired information. You can also set a proxy to blacklist any dangerous web pages, preventing you from being exposed to dangerous scripts.

Whenever you use the internet, your IP address is visible to anyone who has the means to take a look. This means that any time you click on a link that contains malicious coding, you run the risk of infecting your devices or creating backdoors for hackers.

Proxies are useful for:

• Bypassing censorship – When you use a proxy, you can bypass geoblocks set by network administrators and websites, allowing you to view content that’s not normally available where you are.
• Tunneling traffic – You can use a SOCKS proxy to tunnel web traffic to another server through a TCP connection. This way, you can safely send and receive files, even through P2P clients.
• Faster speeds – Proxies can boost servers speeds and performance. Since they don’t encrypt your connection, you won’t see a change in connection speed.
• Bandwidth preservation – Since proxies hide your IP address and the destination of your traffic, your ISP won’t be able to impose bandwidth limits based on its filters.
• Increased security – Because your IP address is hidden by the proxy server and it accesses web pages for you before sending you the information, you get an extra layer of protection.

However, not all proxies are secure. The ones I shortlisted below are renowned for their security and reliability, so you can enjoy safe online sessions.

What Types of Proxy are There?

There are 3 types or proxies available, each with a different purpose.

Reverse

A reverse proxy protects its servers rather than its clients. What this means is that when the proxy accepts a request, it will forward it to one of a network of many servers. That server then passes the results back to the server that processed the initial request. The client communicates solely with the original server (the reverse proxy server), and has no connection to the server that actually handled the request.

SOCKS

SOCKS stands for Socket Secure, and is designed with the ability to route all types of traffic, no matter what the protocol or program. It can communicate with servers through a firewall by directing traffic to a specific client server. You can use this function to maintain your anonymity, for example, while torrenting or web scraping. It is faster than other proxies because it doesn’t use encryption — but this does mean it can be less secure.

Transparent

An inline or transparent proxy serves as a go-between for the internet and the request origin, intervening without altering any of the response requests, hence its "transparent" label. Frequently, corporations employ it to regulate or restrict the websites their employees can access via company servers. As transparent proxies neither encrypt data nor conceal the source IP address, their use isn't advised for individual purposes.

How to Set Up a Proxy

Setting up a proxy is easy, but the process is different for each operating system.

Mobile Devices

It’s quite simple to set up a proxy on iOS. Just go to WiFi in your Settings area and press on the name of the WiFi network you’re connected to. Scroll down until you find “HTTP Proxy” and switch to “On”. You can manually enter the details of your chosen proxy, or allow it to choose one for you.

With Android devices, there are a few more steps to enable your proxy.

1. Get a proxy. Access your VPN’s website, sign up, and get the credentials for the proxy.
2. Go to Android System Settings on your chosen device. Find “Network and Internet”.
3. Click “Mobile Network”. Select “Advanced”, and then “Access Point Names”.
4. Select the APN. Just pick whichever one you are currently using.
5. Enter the proxy details. Get the IP address and port details of the proxy you want to use from its website and enter them into the APN area.
6. Save your changes. If it doesn’t work right away, turn mobile data on and off to kick-start the change.

Desktop Devices

To set up a proxy on Windows or macOS, follow these simple steps:

1. Get a proxy.
2. Access your network settings. On macOS, look for "Network and Internet," and choose "Proxy." For Windows, access "System Preferences," then "Network," and choose "Proxies" from the "Advanced" tab.
3. Enter your proxy details. You'll be able to find them on your provider's website.
4. Apply the settings. Save your configuration and close the window.
5. Start using your proxy!

Browsers

All the services on this list offer reliable proxy browser extensions, and the setup is easy.

1. Get a proxy. You can visit VPN’s website, create an account, and then download the browser extension.
2. Pin the extension. Open the “Extensions” menu in the top right corner of your browser, and pin it to the main tab.
3. Log in. Use your VPN credentials and log in.
4. Choose a server and connect. All you need to do is select a country, and you’re done!

FAQs on Using a Proxy

Is using a Proxy safe?

That depends. If you use a high quality proxy, you can enjoy the benefits of increased speeds, better security, and privacy. Free or low quality proxies can expose your IP address and put you at risk of online threats.

Will using a Proxy slow down my speed?

Some proxies can actually increase your speeds. Because proxies don’t encrypt your data, and use methods such as web page caching to speed up server requests, a great quality proxy like the ones that come free with these top VPNs can boost your speeds.

Can I use a free proxy?

You can, but I don’t recommend it. Free proxies don’t have the security features and other benefits that using a high quality proxy can give you. They can also sell your details to 3rd parties in order to make back the money. Instead, you can choose a great VPN that comes with a proxy, ensuring you’re protected online. All of the recommended proxies on this list come with money-back guarantees and excellent deals, so you don’t have to break the bank to stay safe.

What’s the difference between a proxy and a VPN?

A proxy only protects the HTTP or SOCKS requests and returns from your browser, whereas a VPN securely encrypts all of your internet traffic. Because of this, it’s always wise to use a reliable proxy that comes from a reputable source, such as a VPN provider.

Will a proxy hide my IP address?

It will, but only if it’s high quality. Good proxies, such as the ones that come free with these great VPNs, fully protect your IP from any prying eyes.

Start Using a Proxy Today!

Using a proxy makes you safer online, can increase your speeds, and allows you to torrent without revealing your identity. The easiest and safest way to use a proxy is to choose one that comes with a great VPN provider.