Proxy My Ip Address
Proxy Server – What They Are & How to Use – What Is My IP …
Learn what a proxy is and the risks involved.
You may not know it (and once you do not know it, it may not bother you), but every time you reach out to a website or connect with anyone online, your online connection gives your computer “address” to the site/person you’re connecting with.
Why? So that you the other end knows how to send information (a Web page, email, etc. ) back to your computer…to you. That address is your public IP address. IP stands for Internet Protocol. Want to see yours right now? Just go here to our home page and it will be there.
Without an IP address, you wouldn’t be able to do any Internet/online activity and others online wouldn’t be able to reach you. It is how you connect to the world.
Where does your IP address come from?
You can thank your Internet Service Provider (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, etc. ) for your IP address at home, as well as for your Internet connection. Your smart device also uses an IP address when you’re browsing the web or using an app.
Most people are completely happy with how all of that works.
But there are few realities about public IP addresses that does bother some people:
Your IP address identifies where you are in the world, sometimes to the street level.
It can be used by websites to block you from accessing their content.
It ultimately ties your name and home address to your IP address, because someone is paying for an Internet connection at a specific location.
But there are a few ways you can get around those realities, and one them is to use a proxy service or proxy server (people simply say “proxy. ”)
Proxy means “substitute. ”
A proxy lets you go online under a different IP address identity.
You don’t change your Internet provider; you simple go online and search for “free proxies” or “list of proxies” and you will get several websites that provide lists of free proxies.
It’s really that simple to find proxies, just like you order shoes, movies and airline tickets online. However, it isn’t so simple to figure out how to use one without some guidance. For more help and information on proxies, visit our Learning Center.
How a proxy operates.
A proxy server is a computer on the web that redirects your web browsing activity. Here’s what that means.
Normally, when you type in a website name ( or any other), your Internet Service Provider (ISP) makes the request for you and connects you with the destination—and reveals your real IP address, as mentioned before.
When you use a proxy your online requests get rerouted.
While using a proxy, your Internet request goes from your computer to your ISP as usual, but then gets sent to the proxy server, and then to the website/destination. Along the way, the proxy uses the IP address you chose in your setup, masking your real IP address.
Why you might want to use a proxy.
Here why some people turn to using a proxy—and why you might be interested as well.
A school or local library blocks access to certain websites and a student wants to get around that.
You want to look at something online that interests you…but you would prefer it couldn’t be traced back to your IP address and your location.
You’re traveling abroad and the technology set up in the country you’re in prevents you from connecting to a website back home.
You want to post comments on websites but you do not want your IP address to be identified or your identity tracked down.
Your employer blocks access to social media or other sites and you’d like to bypass those restrictions.
Why you might not want to use one
You should keep in mind that your employer, your ISP and other networks might object to your using a proxy. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should. And in some cases, websites will blacklist IP addresses they suspect or know are from a proxy.
Not all proxies are alike.
Even though all proxies help you access websites you might not otherwise get to, not all proxies behave the same way. A proxy can fall into one of four categories:
Transparent proxy. It tells websites that it is a proxy server and it will pass along your IP address anyway.
Anonymous proxy. It will identify itself as a proxy, but it won’t pass your IP address to the website.
Distorting proxy. It passes along an incorrect IP address for you, while identifying itself as a proxy.
High Anonymity proxy. The proxy and your IP address stay a secret. The website just sees a random IP address connecting to it…that isn’t yours.
As mentioned before, you can find proxy servers easily for free; but as with any free service, you should be aware of the risks involved, because a free proxy may not be as safe or secure as you hope it would be. That being said, here’s an article you should read: Anonymous Proxy Risks
As with anything else you do online, be sure to do some homework first.
Get hidden now. »» I want to hide my IP
Related Articles
Anonymous Proxy Risks
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TOOL: Advanced Proxy Test
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Internet Anonymity
Your IP Address
How to change your IP address
Can someone find me from my IP address?
Proxy Server – What They Are & How to Use – What Is My IP …
Learn what a proxy is and the risks involved.
You may not know it (and once you do not know it, it may not bother you), but every time you reach out to a website or connect with anyone online, your online connection gives your computer “address” to the site/person you’re connecting with.
Why? So that you the other end knows how to send information (a Web page, email, etc. ) back to your computer…to you. That address is your public IP address. IP stands for Internet Protocol. Want to see yours right now? Just go here to our home page and it will be there.
Without an IP address, you wouldn’t be able to do any Internet/online activity and others online wouldn’t be able to reach you. It is how you connect to the world.
Where does your IP address come from?
You can thank your Internet Service Provider (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, etc. ) for your IP address at home, as well as for your Internet connection. Your smart device also uses an IP address when you’re browsing the web or using an app.
Most people are completely happy with how all of that works.
But there are few realities about public IP addresses that does bother some people:
Your IP address identifies where you are in the world, sometimes to the street level.
It can be used by websites to block you from accessing their content.
It ultimately ties your name and home address to your IP address, because someone is paying for an Internet connection at a specific location.
But there are a few ways you can get around those realities, and one them is to use a proxy service or proxy server (people simply say “proxy. ”)
Proxy means “substitute. ”
A proxy lets you go online under a different IP address identity.
You don’t change your Internet provider; you simple go online and search for “free proxies” or “list of proxies” and you will get several websites that provide lists of free proxies.
It’s really that simple to find proxies, just like you order shoes, movies and airline tickets online. However, it isn’t so simple to figure out how to use one without some guidance. For more help and information on proxies, visit our Learning Center.
How a proxy operates.
A proxy server is a computer on the web that redirects your web browsing activity. Here’s what that means.
Normally, when you type in a website name ( or any other), your Internet Service Provider (ISP) makes the request for you and connects you with the destination—and reveals your real IP address, as mentioned before.
When you use a proxy your online requests get rerouted.
While using a proxy, your Internet request goes from your computer to your ISP as usual, but then gets sent to the proxy server, and then to the website/destination. Along the way, the proxy uses the IP address you chose in your setup, masking your real IP address.
Why you might want to use a proxy.
Here why some people turn to using a proxy—and why you might be interested as well.
A school or local library blocks access to certain websites and a student wants to get around that.
You want to look at something online that interests you…but you would prefer it couldn’t be traced back to your IP address and your location.
You’re traveling abroad and the technology set up in the country you’re in prevents you from connecting to a website back home.
You want to post comments on websites but you do not want your IP address to be identified or your identity tracked down.
Your employer blocks access to social media or other sites and you’d like to bypass those restrictions.
Why you might not want to use one
You should keep in mind that your employer, your ISP and other networks might object to your using a proxy. Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should. And in some cases, websites will blacklist IP addresses they suspect or know are from a proxy.
Not all proxies are alike.
Even though all proxies help you access websites you might not otherwise get to, not all proxies behave the same way. A proxy can fall into one of four categories:
Transparent proxy. It tells websites that it is a proxy server and it will pass along your IP address anyway.
Anonymous proxy. It will identify itself as a proxy, but it won’t pass your IP address to the website.
Distorting proxy. It passes along an incorrect IP address for you, while identifying itself as a proxy.
High Anonymity proxy. The proxy and your IP address stay a secret. The website just sees a random IP address connecting to it…that isn’t yours.
As mentioned before, you can find proxy servers easily for free; but as with any free service, you should be aware of the risks involved, because a free proxy may not be as safe or secure as you hope it would be. That being said, here’s an article you should read: Anonymous Proxy Risks
As with anything else you do online, be sure to do some homework first.
Get hidden now. »» I want to hide my IP
Related Articles
Anonymous Proxy Risks
How to use a Proxy Server
TOOL: Advanced Proxy Test
Open Proxies, abuse, and detection
Internet Anonymity
Your IP Address
How to change your IP address
Can someone find me from my IP address?
How to Set Up a Proxy Server on Your PC, Mac, or Web Browser – Avast
As for what a proxy server is, think of your proxy as a gateway between you and the internet. When you visit a website, the proxy server communicates with it on behalf of your browser. Then, when the website answers, the proxy forwards the data to you.
Proxy servers can do many jobs. These include scanning for viruses, acting as a firewall, speeding up your connection by caching, and hiding your public IP address.
You have lots of choices when it comes to internet privacy. There’s a lot to learn, such as understanding what a reverse proxy is or distinguishing between VPNs, proxies, and Tor. If you want dependable protection and encryption for your internet traffic, consider a VPN. Avast SecureLine VPN hides your data from snoopers and protects your online identity, and it’s also much easier to set up than a proxy server.
There’s no similar guarantee of protection with a proxy, especially if you’re using one of the many web-based proxies available online. These public proxy services may slow down your service, and even worse, they may be insecure. Instead, we suggest you learn how to set up a proxy server on Windows, MacOS, and the most popular web browsers.
If you’re configuring your browser to use a proxy operated by a company, school, or other similar organization, some of these instructions may require you to contact your IT staff. This is the case particularly when you are asked to manually enter a script name, formally called a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file. You may also need to type in the proxy’s IP and port numbers. In both cases, turn to your IT helpdesk if you haven’t been given this information. If you’re using a proxy that you’ve purchased or created on your own, you’ll already have these details.
How to set up a proxy server in Windows
Here’s how to set up your Windows PC to use a proxy server on Windows 8 or Windows 10:
Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to access the Windows Settings menu.
On Windows 10, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. On Windows 8, click Settings > Network Proxy.
Under the Manual Setup section, set the “Use a Proxy Server” toggle to On. Make sure the “Automatically detect settings” toggle is also on.
By default, Windows automatically checks to see if your business, school, or local network already has an automatic proxy server setup ready to run for you. If it does, Windows tells you its name, and encourages you to follow its instructions.
Assuming that Windows finds a PAC file, in the Automatic Proxy Setup, set the Use Setup Script switch to On.
Enter the script address and click Save.
Congratulations! You’re done and ready to proxy.
How to manually set up a proxy in Windows 8 or Windows 10
Not every organization sets up the process automatically. If you need to set up a proxy manually in Windows 8 or Windows 10, here’s how to do it.
To access the Windows Settings menu, press the Windows + I keys simultaneously.
On Windows 10, click Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. On Windows 8 systems, click Settings > Network Proxy.
Scroll down to “Manual proxy setup” and set the “Use a Proxy Server” switch to On.
In the address field, type the proxy server name or IP address. In the Port field, enter the proxy port number. You can get these from your IT support tech.
If the proxy server is protected by a password, select the “Proxy server requires password” checkbox. Enter your account name and password in the Username and Password fields.
Click Save.
That’s all there is to it. You’re now set up to use your proxy server on Windows. The next time you use the internet, you’ll be using the proxy server.
How to set up a proxy server on a Mac running macOS
Here’s how to set up a proxy server on a Mac running macOS 10. 15 Catalina. Other macOS versions use essentially the same commands.
Open System Preferences. One way to get there is to click on the Apple menu > System Preferences.
Choose the Network icon to adjust connectivity settings.
Select the type of network you use, which is usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
Click Advanced > Proxies.
To automatically configure your proxy server settings, select Auto Proxy Discovery. Click on Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS). Type in the proxy server address and its port number in the fields on the right.
To use a proxy auto-configuration (PAC) file, select Automatic Proxy Configuration and enter the proxy address into the URL field.
Click OK to save the proxy setup.
You’re now ready to surf the internet via your proxy.
How to set up a proxy in Google Chrome
By default, Chrome uses your macOS or Windows proxy. To change your proxy settings from within Chrome, take the following steps:
Open the Chrome toolbar and select Settings.
Scroll down to the bottom of the display. Click on Show advanced settings…
Scroll down to “System” and choose Open your computer’s proxy settings.
Next, go back to the instructions for your operating system listed above to set up your proxy server settings and follow them.
In short, to set up a proxy server in Google Chrome, you’re just doing the first few steps in the browser, and then completing the process in your machine’s operating system.
How to set up a proxy server in Safari
Like Chrome, Safari’s default setting is to follow the proxy configurations within your OS. Here’s how to change your proxy settings from within Safari:
Click on Safari in the browser toolbar. Choose Preferences.
Click on the Advanced tab. Under “Proxies, ” click Change settings…
Next, you must go back to the instructions for macOS listed above to set up your proxy server settings and follow them.
How to set up a proxy server in Edge
Edge is Windows 10’s built-in web browser, and unless you tell it otherwise, it’ll use your proxy configurations in Windows. The latest versions of Edge are based on Chrome, so the configuration is similar. The following steps show you how to set up a proxy from within Edge:
In Microsoft Edge, at the top-right corner, click the Menu button. Select Settings.
Scroll down to the Advanced settings section and click the View advanced settings icon.
Click the Open proxy settings button.
Next, go back to the instructions for Windows 10 listed above, then follow them to configure your proxy server settings.
How to set up a proxy server in Firefox
Unlike other web browsers, Firefox doesn’t default to using your system’s proxy settings. You’ll need to change your proxy from within Firefox:
Open the Firefox menu and select Options.
Click on the Advanced icon.
Select the Network tab.
In the Connection Settings, select, Auto-detect proxy configuration for this network. When prompted, enter the proxy address.
Alternatively, in the Connection Settings, you can select, Use system proxy settings. If you choose that option, Firefox uses the proxy settings in your operating system.
Click OK to save your settings.
How to set up a proxy server in Internet Explorer
Please keep in mind that Internet Explorer is an outdated web browser. Instead, switch to a browser that’s still receiving regular updates and support, such as Avast Secure Browser, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. Though since quite a few people and companies still use Internet Explorer (IE), you should know how to set things up when necessary.
As with other browsers, IE defaults to using your Windows proxy configurations. Here’s how to set your proxy up from within IE.
Open the IE toolbar and select Internet Options.
Open the Connections tab.
Select LAN Settings.
Check the “Use a proxy server for your LAN” box.
When prompted, enter the proxy server name and port number.
How to set up a proxy server in Android
With Android, you must configure proxy settings for each network you use. In addition, the proxy will only be used by your web browser. Other internet applications may choose to use or ignore the proxy based on their own internal settings. This is another reason why VPNs tend to be better choices — when you use one, it covers all the internet traffic from your device.
Open Android’s Settings and tap Wi-Fi to view a list of Wi-Fi networks.
Long-press the Wi-Fi network name for which you want to change the proxy settings. Tap Modify Network.
Tap Advanced Options.
Tap Manual to change your proxy’s settings. Enter your hostname and proxy port.
OR
If you have a Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file, select Proxy Auto-Config and Android will prompt you to enter the PAC address.
Tap SAVE.
How to set up a proxy server in iOS
Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
Select the active Wi-Fi connection.
Under HTTP proxy, click Configure Proxy.
Tap Manual to change your proxy’s settings. Enter your host name, proxy port, and, if needed, your authentication username and password.
If your provider supports Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD), tap Automatic. If required, enter the Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file location.
Tap back to the Wi-Fi selection window.
Protect your online anonymity the easy way
Proxy servers have their uses, particularly within large organizations. However, setting one up requires a bit of work, and this is a job typically entrusted to network administrators and other IT professionals.
Avast SecureLine VPN is an internet privacy solution that’s both simpler to use and far more protective of your identity and online activities. A single click or tap of a button gets you encryption that keeps you anonymous online and prevents anyone from snooping on your sensitive personal info, such as your online banking, health info, or private photos. Enjoy true online privacy on your desktop, laptop or mobile device with a VPN that’s as convenient as it is secure.
Frequently Asked Questions about proxy my ip address
How do I proxy my IP address?
Set up a proxy manuallyOpen Settings.Click Network & Internet. … Click Proxy. … In the Manual Proxy Setup section, set the Use a Proxy Server switch to On.In the Address field, type the IP address.In the Port field, type the port.Click Save; then close the Settings window.
Can I use my IP address as a proxy?
While using a proxy, your Internet request goes from your computer to your ISP as usual, but then gets sent to the proxy server, and then to the website/destination. Along the way, the proxy uses the IP address you chose in your setup, masking your real IP address.
Where do I get a proxy server address?
How to set up a proxy server in AndroidOpen Android’s Settings and tap Wi-Fi to view a list of Wi-Fi networks.Long-press the Wi-Fi network name for which you want to change the proxy settings. Tap Modify Network.Tap Advanced Options.Tap Manual to change your proxy’s settings. … Tap SAVE.Mar 11, 2020