Private Internet Access Socks Proxy
How to use PIA’s SOCKS Proxy| Setup Guide + 5 Ideas – VPN …
One of my favorite features of Private Internet Access is the fact that they include unlimited SOCKS Proxy service with every PIA subscription. Every VPN plan includes free access to this Netherlands-based proxy server, which can be used for all sorts of fun stuff, like:Add a layer of anonymity to your torrent downloadsHide your IP when using web scraping softwareAnonymize any software that accepts SOCKS5 proxy w/ authenticationMost PIA subscribers don’t even realize that their subscription includes SOCKS proxy access (or they aren’t sure what to do with it). Getting access to the proxy server also requires an extra step (it uses a different username/password combo than the VPN does)’ll show you exactly how to generate your proxy login details, and which settings you need to know to get set check out this guide: How to use Private Internet Access for torrents (3 methods)How to get your PIA SOCKS proxy Username/PasswordPIA’s proxy server doesn’t use the same login/password as your normal VPN account. They do this to protect your account security (because the proxy isn’t encrypted and could protentially transmit the login details in plaintext). You can easily create new proxy login credentials any time you want. PIA has instructions on how to do this, or just follow the steps ’s how to get your login details:Step #1 – You need a Private Internet Access SubscriptionI know this sounds obvious, but many people don’t realize that PIA is a paid service. If you don’t have an account already, you can get one for as low as $3. 33/ #2 – Login to your account control panelGo to and log into your account panel using your VPN username/ #3 – Generate new proxy credentialsScroll down toward the bottom of your account panel until you see the section titled:‘PPTP/L2TP/SOCKS Username and Password’Click to create proxy login credentialsSimply click the ‘Regenerate Username and Password’ button to create a unique username/password combo to access the proxy server. Make sure to leave this window open or copy the credentials to notepad so we can easily copy and paste them in a future step when we actually set up the proxy Proxy SettingsNo matter what type of software you choose to anonymize with the proxy, the basic settings will be the same. Here are the settings you need to know:Host/Hostname/Proxy Address – Port # – 1080Proxy Type – SOCKS5 (or SOCKS v5/version 5) Authentication – YES Username – Your username from step #1 Password – Your password from step #1That’s it! You should be able to use this proxy with any software that allows authentication with SOCKS v5 most common use for PIA’s proxy service is for bittorrent downloads. All major torrent clients accept SOCKS proxies, including:uTorrentVuzeQBittorrentTransmissionDelugeTixatitTorrent (android)Flud (android)
How to use PIA SOCKS5 proxy: Is it effective? – Windows Report
Vlad might have a degree in Animal Husbandry and Livestock Management, but he’s currently rocking anything software related, ranging from testing programs to writing in-depth reviews about them. He spent 3-4 years as a… Read more
Private Internet Access, or simply PIA, also offers SOCKS5 proxy support in addition to its traditional VPN features.
However, configuring and enabling SOCKS5 in PIA might not be exactly intuitive. We’re going to show you exactly how to do it.
Check out our VPN Troubleshooting section to discover more easy-to-follow guides.
Find out more about Proxy servers to use them correctly
Besides its popular VPN service, Private Internet Access (PIA) also offers SOCKS5 proxy to its more tech-savvy customers who are inclined towards increased security/privacy.
However, configuring and using SOCKS5 with PIA might not be immediately obvious.
For that reason, we decided to create this short step-by-step guide that will guide you through the process.
Does PIA use SOCKS5 proxy automatically?
First and foremost, you’ll have to understand that the SOCKS5 proxy option isn’t enabled by default.
Instead, you’ll have to look around for it, configure it, and enable it manually.
We get it, you’d much likely prefer the elbow-grease-free version, but there’s nothing we can do about it, so buckle up.
How to enable PIA SOCKS5
Head to PIA’s website
Log into your account
Access the Client Control Panel
Go to the Downloads category
Scroll down to the VPN Settings section
Click the Re-generate button
Copy the username and password
Note that your default username and password combination won’t work with SOCKS5, so you’ll have to use the method above to ‘enable’ it.
Once you’ve jotted down the username and password, we can move on to the next step.
How to use PIA SOCKS5
Download PIA on your PC (buy here)
Install the VPN client
Launch PIA
Click the options button
Select Settings from the menu
Go to the Proxy category
Click the SOCKS5 radio button
Launch CMD on your Windows PC
Type ping
Jot down the IP address of the proxy server
Go back to your PIA proxy configuration screen
Paste/type the proxy IP address in the appropriate field
Type 1080 in the Port field
Input the proxy username and password generated on the PIA website
Click OK
That’s all. In addition to PIA’s default VPN servers, using the SOCKS5 proxy will bounce your connection through an additional connection.
PIA
Need a VPN that comes with SOCKS5 proxy support? PIA could be exactly what you’re looking for.
As a result, you’ll benefit from increased privacy and a more secure connection.
PIA SOCKS5 Proxy not working?
A while ago, PIA posted a message letting its customers know that it identified an issue with the SOCKS5 proxy that could negatively impact connectivity.
If you notice that PIA has limited or no connectivity, try disabling the proxy and check again.
Launch the PIA VPN client
Open the Settings window
Head to the Proxy category
Click None
Is PIA SOCKS5 slow?
As we’ve explained before, using a VPN could slow down your Internet connection. That happens for a lot of factors, including but not limited to distance between you and the servers and encryption.
Naturally, bouncing your connection once more through yet another location (i. e. the SOCKS5 proxy) will further add to that distance and slow down your connection even more.
The bottom line is that a bit of slowdown is natural in this case. If you’re nearing the point where the VPN becomes unusable, try disabling the proxy or choose another server.
Final thoughts on PIA SOCKS5 proxy
All in all, if you want to boost your privacy/security, PIA’s optional SOCKS5 proxy has got you covered.
Although setting it up is not exactly intuitive, following the steps in our guide should let you enable and start using PIA’s SOCKS5 in no time.
Does PIA’s SOCKS5 Proxy work for torrents? – Reddit
We actually do not recommend the use of the proxy for p2p/torrent use. Further, if you are using the VPN AND the proxy together, it can create connection issues. Any instructions you found for such a setup would have been PIA forum/user-submitted and not directly supported by you are using the VPN, the proxy is not necessary. The proxy does not encrypt internet traffic, it only masks your IP address; the VPN does both. If you operate the VPN and proxy together, they are both competing to do the same task, which can destabilize the connection. Also, use of the proxy requires your data to take additional travel time to and from the proxy server, thus slowing your you have configured the proxy settings, we recommend removing these from your torrent client and use the VPN only.
Frequently Asked Questions about private internet access socks proxy
Does Pia have a proxy?
SOCKS Proxy Settings The most common use for PIA’s proxy service is for bittorrent downloads. All major torrent clients accept SOCKS proxies, including: … tTorrent (android) Flud (android)Mar 10, 2016
Is a Socks proxy secure?
A SOCKs5 proxy is more secure because it establishes a full TCP connection with authentication and uses the Secure Shell (SSH) encrypted tunneling method to relay the traffic.Sep 27, 2019
Which is better socks or HTTP proxy?
Unlike HTTP proxies, which can only interpret and work with HTTP and HTTPS webpages, SOCKS5 proxies can work with any traffic. HTTP proxies are high-level proxies usually designed for a specific protocol. While this means you get better connection speeds, they’re not nearly as flexible and secure as SOCKS proxies.
