This wikiHow teaches you how to maintain anonymity while surfing the internet. In addition, this article also discusses how to find online proxy sites, as well as how to enable proxies in Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and Safari browsers. Browsing through proxies can maintain the anonymity of internet traffic. However, keep in mind that the party or organization that controls the proxy can still see the data you enter when using the proxy.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Following General Privacy Steps
Step 1. As much as possible use a secure network
While it may be tempting to surf the internet over an unprotected public network, it leaves you vulnerable to other users connected to the network. Therefore, stick to your home private network or another protected network if you want to browse the internet on the go.
Most public places, such as coffee shops or airports, offer a protected internet connection
Step 2. Use a secure browser
For example, Firefox has built-in security settings that prevent tracking and other security issues typically found in other browsers. If you want to use a browser with a more specialized security system, try using Tor.
Another option to try is Opera with a built-in VPN that can be enabled to hide internet browsing traffic
Step 3. Delete tracker cookies
By removing cookies that track activity on the internet, you can reduce the number of ads and targeted emails that appear in your browser.
The related article also includes instructions for submitting a Do Not Track (Do Not Track) request. These requests are messages that browsers send to websites so that the sites you visit don't use your information
Step 4. Don't enter your email address on the websites you visit
Other than social media, don't include your email address or other personal information on the sites you visit.
If the site you're trying to access requires you to enter an email address, create a spam email address that doesn't use any personal information. After that, use that address to go to the site you want
Method 2 of 3: Using a Web Based Proxy
Step 1. Open the desired browser
Chrome, Firefox, Edge (Windows), and Safari (Mac) are powerful browsers that support proxies.
Step 2. Look for an online proxy
Type free online proxies 2017 into your browser's search bar and press Enter. Some of the trusted proxy services include:
- Anonymous
- VPNBook
- FilterBypass
Step 3. Open the proxy site
Click the site link to go to the proxy site.
Try to find out about the selected proxy before using it
Step 4. Type the name of the site you want to access into the proxy search bar
Usually you can see a bar like this in the middle of the proxy site's page. This bar is the proxy search bar.
Step 5. Click the "Search" or "Go" button
This button is usually below the search field. Once clicked, site searches (eg Facebook) will be run through the proxy so there is no need to go through or log into the school network.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Browser Proxy
Chrome
Step 1. Open Chrome
The browser is marked by a red, yellow, green, and blue ball icon.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window.
Step 3. Click Settings
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Scroll down and click on Advanced
This option is at the bottom of the settings page (“Settings”).
Step 5. Scroll down and click Open proxy settings
This option is under the " System " section at the bottom of the page. Once clicked, the “Internet Options” (Windows) or “Network” window will be displayed (Mac).
Step 6. Click LAN settings
It's under the "Local Area Network (LAN) settings" section, at the bottom of the page.
On Mac computers, check the " Automatic Proxy Configuration " box
Step 7. Check the box "Use a proxy server for your LAN"
This box is under the "Proxy server" heading.
On a Mac, enter the address of the proxy server in the text field that appears
Step 8. Enter the proxy server information
Fill in the following fields:
- ” Address ” – Enter the proxy server address in this field.
- ” Port ” – Enter the port number of the proxy server in this field.
- On Mac computers, make sure the " Use Passive FTP Mode (PASV) " box is checked.
Step 9. Click OK
After that, the proxy settings will be saved.
Step 10. Click Apply
Once clicked, the settings will be applied. Now you can browse the internet anonymously via Google Chrome. However, you will need to restart your browser first.
- The “Internet Options” setting will also be applied to Internet Explorer. This means the Chrome proxy also works on IE.
- The “Network” setting on the Mac will also be applied to Safari so the Chrome proxy used will also work on Safari.
Firefox
Step 1. Open Firefox
The browser is marked by a blue globe icon with an orange fox around it.
Step 2. Click
It's in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
Step 3. Click Options (Windows) or Preferences (Mac).
It's a gear icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click Advanced
It's the bottom tab on the left side of the Firefox window.
Step 5. Click the Network tab
This tab is at the top of the “Advanced” page.
Step 6. Click Settings
This option is to the right of the " Connection " heading.
Step 7. Click the Manual proxy configuration circle
This option is the last available radio switch under the " Configure Proxies to Access the Internet " heading.
Step 8. Enter the proxy information
You need to fill in the following fields:
- ” HTTP Proxy ” – Enter the address of the proxy server you want to use.
- ” Port ” – Enter the port number of the proxy server in this field.
Step 9. Check the box "Use this proxy server for all server protocols"
This box is just below the " HTTP Proxy " column.
Step 10. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window. After that, the settings will be saved.
Internet Explorer
Step 1. Open Internet Explorer
The browser is marked by a blue “e” icon wrapped in a yellow ribbon.
Step 2. Click ️
It's in the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window.
Step 3. Click Internet options
It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
Step 4. Click the Connections tab
This tab is at the top of the “Internet Options” window.
Step 5. Click LAN settings
This button is under the " Local Area Network (LAN) settings " heading, at the bottom of the page.
Step 6. Check the box "Use a proxy server for your LAN"
This box is under the "Proxy server" heading.
Step 7. Enter the proxy server information
Fill in the following fields:
- ” Address ” – Enter the proxy server address in this field.
- ” Port ” – Enter the port number of the proxy server in this field.
Step 8. Click Apply
After that, the settings will be applied. Now you can browse the internet anonymously through Internet Explorer. However, you may need to restart your browser first.
This setting will also apply to Google Chrome
Edge
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click “Settings”
It's in the lower-left corner of the Start window.
Step 3. Click
"Networks & Internet".
The option with the globe icon is in the “Settings” window.
Step 4. Click the Proxy tab
This tab is below the column of options on the left side of the “Network & Internet” window.
You may need to swipe left column to see this tab
Step 5. Enable the proxy server
Click the switch under the "Use a proxy server" heading.
If you see the text "On" below this toggle, the Edge proxy is already enabled
Step 6. Enter the proxy server information
Fill in the following fields:
- ” Address ” – Enter the proxy server address in this field.
- ” Port ” – Enter the port number of the proxy server in this field.
Step 7. Click Save
It's at the bottom of the page. After that, the proxy settings will be applied to Microsoft Edge. However, you may need to restart Edge for the changes to take effect.
Safari
Step 1. Open Apple menu
It's in the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click System Preferences
It's at the top of the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Click the Network icon
This globe icon is displayed in the “System Preferences” menu.
Step 4. Click Advanced
It's in the middle of the “Network” page.
Step 5. Click the Proxies tab
It's a tab at the top of the window.
You may need to click the lock icon and enter the administrator name and password first
Step 6. Check the box " Automatic Proxy Configuration"
This box is below the “Select a protocol to configure” heading on the left side of the “Proxies” window.
If this box is already checked, click the text “ Automatic Proxy Configuration ”.
Step 7. Enter the proxy address
Type the address into the “Proxy Configuration File URL” text field.
Step 8. Make sure the "Use Passive FTP Mode (PASV)" box is checked
Otherwise, click the empty checkbox first before continuing.
Step 9. Click OK
This button is at the bottom of the page. After that, the Safari proxy server will be configured.
Step 10. Click Apply
After that, the settings will be applied to Safari. You may need to restart Safari if the browser is still open.
These settings will also apply to Chrome
Tips
- Many universities and workplaces have dedicated proxy servers.
- Keep in mind that when using a proxy, the owner of the proxy can log in, enter, and save any information that goes through the proxy.
Warning
- Open proxies and paid VPN (virtual private network) services can log your IP address on their local servers and pass your real IP address on to third party servers, either intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, it's a good idea to distrust such services as absolute anonymous services, regardless of the offers they are given to you. To date, Tor is the strongest public anonymity proxy service that can be used to access sites that are stored or displayed on conventional services.
- Some sites (eg Google) block Tor traffic for some reason.
- The European Union Cyber Crime Convention (2001) clearly states that the use of open proxies is a criminal offence.
- Open proxies are very helpful for hackers. They can capture unencrypted session cookies and personal information (using HTTP instead of S) that goes to the proxy. The Tor browser sets HTTPS on its connection. You can also use the "HTTPS-Everywhere" extension on Firefox to get the same functionality/settings.
