Socks5 Proxy Tutorial
How to Securely Bypass Blocks, Safe Torrenting, Free Proxy …
The internet is in a strange place right now. It’s no longer the open, free place it used to be. Increasingly, users are being subject to website blocks, attacks, and surveillance. For true safety or anonymity, precautions must be taken. Thankfully, there many ways for you to protect yourself, one of them being Socket Secure (SOCKS) proxies.
While many have heard about SOCKS Proxies not many truly understand their purpose, how they work and the security-privacy levels they can offer. SOCKS proxies are often mistakenly considered an alternative or equivalent to VPNs causing major confusion amongst users and providing false sense of security.
In this article we’ll be covering a wealth of topics relating to SOCKS Proxies, SSL, Configuration advise, Torrenting via SOCK, compare them with VPNs and much more so let’s take a quick look at what we have in store before diving deeper:
Introduction to SOCKS Proxies
Understanding how HTTPS Encryption – SSL & HTTPS Proxies work
How SOCKS5 Proxy Works
Why Would I Use a SOCKS5 Proxy?
When to Use SOCKS5 Proxies, VPN or Both
Combine a SOCKS5 Proxy and a VPN
SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN for Torrenting and P2P
Configuring SOCKS5 Proxy for Torrenting (qBittorrent, uTorrent)
Configuring Firefox and Chrome to Use SOCKS5 Proxy
Free Proxy vs Paid
Using SOCKS5 Proxy for US Netflix
Like HTTP, SOCKS is an internet protocol, but it offers a further degree of anonymity. Connecting to a SOCKS proxy routes your traffic through a third-party server via TCP, assigning you a new IP address in the process. Because the IP address is different, web hosts can’t determine the physical location.
This has the add-on effect of bypassing regional filtering. However, unlike a VPN, SOCKS doesn’t provide encryption. This means users don’t have true privacy and aren’t safe from attacks on Public WiFi and government surveillance. In addition, SOCKS doesn’t run through every application, meaning regular browsing is not always safe.
However, this lack of encryption does provide some benefits. The main one is speed. A SOCKS proxy doesn’t need resources to encrypt traffic and has far less overhead, so it’s usually faster than a VPN. Though proxies don’t provide protection from monitoring, they are a nice middle ground between HTTP and VPNs.
The security of a SOCKS proxy also depends on the version it utilizes. Most modern proxies use either SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 to protect users, and there are some fundamental differences. As you would expect from a lesser version, SOCKS4 has fewer features.
One example is the lack of support for UDP protocol-based applications. This cuts out programs that need faster, more efficient transfers, like games. SOCKS5 also supports IPv6 and Domain Name Resolution. This means the client can specify a URL rather than an IP address. This feature is also supported by SOCKS4a.
As well as SOCKS, users can utilize the HTTP/HTTPS proxy method. HTTP proxies work similarly to SOCKS5, but utilize the HTTP protocol instead. This is the same method that transfers data to your computer when you type. These proxies fetch and receive primarily in HTTP and are generally used for web browsers. Some applications support HTTP proxy, others SOCKS proxy, and many both. HTTP is more intelligent than SOCKS5, but also less secure.
Due to lack of UDP support and limited TCP support, HTTP proxies don’t fully support torrenting. Often, they will filter out this type of data or block it. This blocking is especially prevalent in public HTTP proxies. In addition, HTTP tries to re-write the headers of the data in transit. The result is extremely slow or non-existent torrenting.
Understanding How HTTPS Encryption – SSL & HTTPS Proxies Work
HTTPS proxies utilize something called the Secure Socket Layer. In your browser, you’ll notice this as a green padlock next to the URL bar:
In short, SSL creates a secure connection between the web server and the user’s browser. When you request a URL, the server sends your browser a copy of its SSL certificate. The browser verifies that it’s authentic, and the server then sends back a signed acknowledgment. Upon arrival, both start an SSL encrypted session and can share data safely.
This encryption uses a method called public key cryptography. A server using SSL has both a public key and a private key. When a server first negotiates an SSL session with a client, it sends a copy of its public key. The client’s browser verifies the certificate and then uses the public key to create a symmetric key which is then sent to the server. The private key is never sent and always kept secret.
The symmetric key is unique to the SSL session and used to encrypt/decrypt data exchanged between the client and server.
HTTPS proxy works slightly differently. Using the CONNECT method, requests are converted to a transparent tunnel. However, this feature isn’t available in a lot of proxies and, when it is, users can still be vulnerable.
Some versions of SSL are still open to attack through the Heartbleed bug. This serious vulnerability was discovered in 2014 and allows attackers to steal private keys from servers, eavesdropping on communications and gaining access to passwords, emails and instant messages. Vulnerabilities in SSL and its predecessor TLS have been found several times since then, including man-in-the-middle attacks that downgrade the user to a less secure version.
While an HTTP proxy is designed to work in the web browser, a SOCKS5 proxy is more wide-reaching. SOCKS sits on the higher levels of the OSI model, below SSL, which sits on the seventh application layer, and above TCP and UDP on the transport layer (Layer 4). This offers several advantages. TCP works by forming a physical connection between the client and the server, trying to guarantee that every packet arrives at the destination in the same order it was sent. To do this, it puts all the content into a fixed format.
Another use of UDP is in the Domain Name System (DNS), which allows for translation of URLs into IP addresses. The combination of both TCP and UDP creates a more flexible and reliable experience.
The low level of SOCKS5 also means it can handle several different request types: HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, SMTP and FTP. As a result, SOCKS5 can be used for email, web browsing, peer-to-peer and more. More importantly, users can do this in a somewhat anonymous fashion.
When you connect to a website, the traffic usually runs through a firewall on the router or by the ISP. A SOCKS5 proxy routes your data through its proxy server, creating a path through the network’s firewall. In doing so the user is assigned an IP address, which makes it look like they’re browsing from a different location and protects their identity.
As mentioned before proxies don’t encrypt data like a VPN, which means you can access these services with very little slowdown. This is because there is no need to re-write header data. This, in turn, leads to less chance of errors, and fewer errors means more speed.
Although it doesn’t handle encryption, SOCKS5 does provide methods of authentication, as mentioned earlier. In general, a SOCKS5 handshake looks like this:
The client sends a connection request, stating the list of authentication methods it supports.
The server looks at these methods and chooses one. In the case that none are acceptable, it sends a failure response.
Once accepted, information can pass between the client and server. The client can send a connection request and the server can respond.
This authentication removes many of the security concerns that plagued SOCKS4. The proxy isn’t open to anybody with the details, resulting in less chance of malicious attacks. Usually, authentication comes in the form of a simple username and password combination. However, SOCKS5 also supports GSSAPI (Generic Security Services Application Program Interface) and IANA methods.
Now that you know the features of SOCKS5 proxies, you may be wondering why you even need one. One of the main uses is to circumvent internet censorship. If your ISP blocks access to movie streaming websites, The Pirate Bay or other questionable content, a proxy will circumvent it. This can be useful on restricted networks. Work and school connections are often monitored and block access to social media, games, and anything else that isn’t relevant. Broad sweeping policies can often cause issues if you need to access one of those sites for research or you just want to slack.
You’ll also be able to access services that are limited to certain countries. BBC iPlayer, for example, is only available from a UK IP address. A proxy located in the UK would allow you to watch British TV without a TV license. This also applies to services like Netflix, which has significantly more content in the US region than others. Utilizing a SOCKS5 proxy from several different locations can significantly expand your viewing catalogue.
On home networks, users must be careful about their privacy, especially when torrenting. Using a SOCKS5 proxy can provide fast download speeds while adding a layer of protection against copyright holders. Many BitTorrent clients support a weak form of encryption when using SOCKS5, which prevents further obstacles.
SOCKS5 torrenting doesn’t offer the same protection as a VPN, but it’s better than nothing at all. In addition, it can give an obscured connection from only one application on your PC. As a result, you can perform fast P2P downloads while still using location services such as Google Maps. You’ll retain your normal download rate for any other browsing or streaming.
When to use SOCKS5 Proxies, VPNs or Both
For the privacy and security conscious, VPNs are a great option. They are superior to a SOCKS5 proxy in almost every way. The Best VPN Service Providers give unparalleled protection from government agencies, copyright holders and hackers. Many of them even provide proxy services as a free add-on. Other than speed, VPNs do everything SOCKS5 does and more. However, VPN subscriptions can be more expensive and require extra setup to run. In some situations, a proxy is the most economical option.
When it comes to accessing content with region restrictions, for example, a SOCKS5 proxy is great. You can easily spoof a different location, and don’t have to worry too much about security – repercussions are rare. You can find a proxy from almost every country on the planet, often free of charge. A VPN will provide the same benefit, but comes from a trusted provider who has put considerable thought into the safety and privacy of its users.
SOCKS5 proxies can hide your identity from web servers. Low stakes tasks like voting on polls multiple times from the same computer are fine. Most don’t make use of cookies or JavaScript to track the same browser across multiple IPs.
However, if you’re accessing blocked content, things are a little different. While a proxy is good for low stakes, it doesn’t remove identifying information other than the IP address. It’s open to snooping from anyone with access to your data stream, such as your ISP and government. Accessing censored file-sharing websites and other questionable content is best done through a VPN.
This lack of protection from those with network access can pose considerable risk in public. No encryption means little protection from prying eyes. On a WiFi hotspot, attackers can still see and interpret your data. Browsing websites without SSL encryption could result in password and information compromises. Furthermore, the previously mentioned security issues in SSL mean that hackers could get hold of it even then. For public WiFi safety, a VPN is the only true option.
It’s clear that there are some merits to using a proxy over a VPN. The extra speed makes them suitable for a wide range of low-risk tasks. It’s advantageous to be able to utilize both a VPN and a SOCKS5 proxy. Thankfully, any of the Best VPN service providers supply this at no extra cost. IPVANISH and Private Internet Access are great examples of this. Switching the two methods in and out is a no-brainer, but what about using both at once?
Using both in tandem usually results in increased privacy, if it’s supported by your VPN provider. Be that as it may, the benefits are limited. If a VPN is connected already, you probably won’t see speed increases. Instead, the advantage comes as a safety net. If your VPN cuts out and the Kill-Switch fails, you still have some protection from SOCKS5 VPN proxy, and vice versa. This is relevant if a provider hands over your details – the copyright holder will only see the IP address of the other service. Using both creates an extra barrier to entry.
For most users, this extra barrier is far from essential. A properly configured VPN should pose little problem. However, if you’re doing something particularly sensitive the combination is a good option. For the best security, you should email your provider and make sure your SOCKS5 VPN proxy has no logs.
Speaking of torrenting, it’s important to be aware of the benefits and limitations of using a VPN SOCKS5 proxy for it. SOCKS5 torrenting will show only the IP address of the proxy server if a media company is looking through a certain swarm and provides a small amount of encryption. This gives the small degree of protection mentioned earlier.
However, there are still many avenues of attacks for copyright holders. The encryption method torrent clients use is shaky and not reliable. It can be cracked quickly, revealing the information beneath. Although this wouldn’t reveal the user’s IP address, it could give information such as the version of the client, the operating system, settings and download speed. Copyright holders could use this to narrow down to an individual user and their ISP. They can then send a legal request to that ISP for information. The lack of proper encryption means the ISP can clearly see what a user is doing on its network.
SOCKS5 torrenting does provide an increase in speed, but it comes at a price. A determined copyright troll or government entity may still get leverage over the user. In the end, it’s up to the individual to decide if the speed increase is worth the risk. This will probably depend on how significant the difference is.
SOCKS5 VPN proxies come with an additional caveat. A fully-fledged VPN won’t just protect you from copyright holders, it will also bypass ISP throttling. It’s becoming increasingly common for service providers to set speed limits on peer-to-peer downloads, resulting in speeds that are as much as one fifth of normal speed. Service providers can only do this if they can interpret and categorize the data, so VPN encryption provides a natural wall.
Proxies do not generally provide encryption, and you may experience significant throttling. This can easily offset the speed gains of SOCKS5, so proxies are only the best option if your ISP does not throttle. You can test for throttling though web services like Glasnost. Even with the encryption built into torrent clients, most service providers can tell if you’re using P2P. If you’re unsure, you can always test with a free proxy.
Configuring SOCKS5 Proxy for Torrenting
Thankfully, setting up a SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting is very simple. It requires fewer steps than a VPN, and all you’ll need is a torrent client. In our examples, we’ll be showing uTorrent and qBittorrent, using a VPN SOCKS5 proxy from IPVANISH and Private Internet Access. Both providers give the functionality free of charge and provide a premium service and no logs policy.
Set up a SOCKS5 Proxy with IPVANISH and qBittorrent
To emphasise the divide between the two services, IP Vanish’s SOCKS5 details can’t be found in the regular VPN client. Instead, you’ll have to go to the My Account section of its website and click on the SOCKS5 Proxy tab.
You’ll want to note down these credentials for use later. The username and password are specific to you, and provide the SOCKS5 authentication mentioned earlier. The hostname,, is thanks to SOCKS5 and its Domain Name Resolution feature. If you’re using a different proxy, just take note of those details instead.
For an extensive review on PIA, including security tests, DNS Leak tests, Torrent Protection, Kill-Switch test, Netflix support and much more, read our Best VPN Review: Private Internet Access (PIA)
Now, in qBittorrent, head to Tools > Options. On the left-hand side, you’ll see the Connection tab. Click it. You should be presented with the following menu:
Under the Listening Port heading, disable Use UPnP/NAT-PMP port forwarding from my router. Then input the following details under Proxy Server:
Type: Socks5
Host:
Port: 1080
Use proxy for peer connections: Yes
Disable connections not supported by proxies: Yes
Use proxy only for torrents: Yes
Authentication: Yes
Username: IP Vanish SOCKS5 generated username
Password: IP Vanish SOCKS5 generated password
For extra privacy, head to BitTorrent and change Encryption mode to Require encryption. This will force the in-application encryption discussed earlier. Also tick Enable anonymous mode. This will remove the peer ID from the client’s fingerprint and force all incoming connections through SOCKS5.
Finally, hit Apply and Okay. Restart qBittorrent just to be safe.
Set up a SOCKS5 Proxy with Private Internet Access and uTorrent
Finding your SOCKS5 VPN proxy settings for Private Internet Access is equally simple. Go to the client sign in page and login with your username and password. Scroll down until you see a heading with the label PPTP/L2TP/SOCKS Username and Password. Click Generate Username and Password and note down the details:
The hostname isn’t listed here, but a support article reveals that it’s that down too, or the details of your free proxy. Launch uTorrent and go to Options > Preferences (Ctrl + P).
Under the Connection subheading, disable Enable UPnP port mapping and Enable NAT-PMP port mapping. Then enter the following settings under Proxy Server:
Type: SOCKS5
·Proxy:
Username: PIA SOCKS5 user
Password: PIA SOCKS5 password
Use proxy for hostname lookups: Yes
Use proxy for peer-to-peer connections: Yes
Disable all local DNS lookups: Yes
Disable all features that leak identifying information: Yes
Disable connects unsupported by the proxy: Yes
To enable encryption, go to the BitTorrent subheading and look under the Protocol Encryption menu. Change Outgoing to Forced. Be aware that this could impair your ability to connect to peers. Click Apply and OK. SOCKS5 torrenting is now enabled.
Configuring your browser to use SOCKS can be a little more difficult. At this moment in time, neither Chrome nor Firefox support SOCKS5 with authentication by default. Instead, you can use the Maxthon browser. After install go to Settings > Advanced > Proxy Settings.
Now tick Use custom proxy setting and hit Manage Proxy. Click Add. Fill in the fields as follows:
Name: IPVanish SOCKS5
Address:
Hit OK. Below the config, you’ll see a Bypass proxy server for heading. Here you can set exceptions for websites for which you need to keep your local IP, such as Google Maps. You can also switch this to Use proxy server for and only use the VPN SOCKS5 proxy on certain websites.
Though premium paid SOCKS5 proxies like the one above are often best, it’s possible to get one free of charge. Many websites even compile free proxy lists that are open for anyone to use. Here are just a few examples:
If you already have a VPN, you may have access to a free SOCKS5 proxy without even knowing it. It’s becoming increasingly common for the Best VPN service providers to offer this service. Some of the major ones include:
IPVANISH – Netherlands
Private Internet Access – Netherlands
NordVPN – 25 Severs across multiple countries
It may be tempting to just grab the first free SOCKS proxy you see, but there are a few things to consider. A free anonymous proxy isn’t going to be fast. It’s more common for download speeds to sit in the kilobytes rather than megabytes. You’ll also notice far less reliability, so you’ll probably have to switch between different servers for long downloads. This unreliability extends to response time.
In addition, a free anonymous proxy often lacks security. In many cases, they have no security at all, leaving users open to hackers. In many cases free providers keep logs, which may cause issues for P2P downloads and other illegal activities.
In all, you’ll be hard pressed to find a good, reliable free proxy. If you want to protect your identity, paying is almost essential. In some cases, you can pick up a full VPN service for the same price or less than premium SOCKS5 services, making it a no-brainer. You’ll have access to strong encryption when you need it, and a proxy when you’re just looking for speed.
One of the best uses of a SOCKS5 proxy is for Netflix. The catalogue of the service has been limited of late, and people outside the US seem to be particularly affected. Thankfully, you can trick Netflix into giving you shows from regions across the world. Here’s my Netflix UK homepage before using a proxy:
In this example, we’ll be using Firefox. Go to the flyout menu on the top right, then select Options. Go to Advanced and click the Network tab. Under Connection > Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet, click Settings…
First, change Configure Proxies to Access the Internet to Manual proxy configuration. Under SOCKS Host enter the URL or IP address of your proxy server. Under Port, enter the number your Netflix SOCKS5 proxy has provided. Tick SOCKS v5 and Proxy DNS when using SOCKS v5.
You can now click OK and head to. You should immediately notice a change in your browsing catalogue.
Unfortunately, those with a free SOCKS proxy may get stuck here. Netflix monitors proxy lists and blocks them to stop users accessing content they aren’t supposed to. You’ll know if you receive the following error when trying to play a show:
Trying to access Netflix US via Free SOCKS Proxy fails
You may be able to find a free proxy that Netflix hasn’t gotten around to yet, but it’s quite unlikely. A paid, private SOCKS5 proxy is less likely to be blocked, as the provider changes things often. You should notice much faster buffering times, so it’s worth paying the small monthly fee.
Most VPN SOCKS5 proxies use authentication, which isn’t supported by Firefox or Google Chrome. Instead, you’ll want to use the previously mentioned Maxthon browser method. This should give you fast, unblocked access to different films.
Summary
While SOCKS5 proxies offer better protection than HTML or nothing at all, they don’t shield the user from spying by ISPs or government. Free anonymous proxies offer even less protection, and can be open to hackers, cut out, or have slow download speeds. However, subscription-based proxies remain a great way to bypass regional blocks and carry out other, low-risk tasks.
Unfortunately, the price of a standalone SOCKS5 proxy is high compared to other services. In many cases, users can get a VPN subscription from IPVANISH or Private Internet Access and a VPN SOCKS5 proxy for the same monthly fee. This gives users access to the full, hardened security of a VPN, while also providing a fast, less secure proxy if they need it. At this moment in time, VPN providers like PIA, IPVANISH and NordVPN offer superior value for money.
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How to check your IP-address when you use VPN or socks5 proxy …
Safe access to web
resources is an urgent task for users who want to protect themselves from
intruders and prevent leaking of confidential information. One of the most common
and effective way to solve this task is using special tools to hide your real
IP-address,
You can solve
this problem in the following way:
– you can use socks5
proxy server for spoofing your real IP-address;
– you can additionally
use VPN (virtual private network) and RDP (remote desktop protocol) to increase
anonymity and prevent unintentional disclosure of your real IP-address by applications
and browsers with direct connection to the internet.
In most cases, it�s
enough to use only socks proxy (you can get access to socks proxy at) and there is no need to waste your time for RDP and VPN
configuration. However, in this case, you need to assure that your browsers are
correctly configured for socks proxy and they will not disclose your real
IP-address in any way.
You can use web
service to check your IP-address after its spoofing. Just open your browser
and go to
You�ll see the detailed
information about your IP-address, your location and other useful data. If your
real IP-address and location is different from those you see at, you
are protected and can safely use the browser for anonymous access to web
resources. �
6 Best VPNs with SOCKS5 – CyberWaters
With different types of Internet protocols available for public use, hiding your IP and bypassing website blocks have become increasingly easier such option is SOCKS5, an Internet protocol with authentication support. In the online anonymity world, SOCKS5 is not just easier to implement but also an economical way to hide your IP address for unobstructed online browsing and torrenting. Almost all major VPN providers offer SOCKS5 proxy servers. If you already use a VPN, consider buying SOCKS5 from the same provider. In most cases, you will be eligible for complementary SOCKS5 servers. In case you are looking for more options and better reliability, here’s a quick guide on the best VPNs with SOCKS5 on time? Here are the best VPNs with SOCKS5:Surfshark – supports Shadowsocks and very easy to usePrivate Internet Access – with many SOCKS5 Proxies availableIPVanish – great for P2P and torrentingTorGuard – suitable for advanced usersNordVPN – the best VPN with SOCKS5 serversWhat is SOCKS5? Best VPNs with SOCKS5SurfsharkPrivate Internet AccessIPVanishTorGuardNordVPNWindscribeHow Does Socks5 in VPN Help? Applications of SOCKS5 With an ExampleHow to Set Up SOCKS5? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOCKS5What is SOCKS5? SOCKS Protocol Version 5, or SOCKS5, is the latest version of the SOCKS internet protocol that uses a proxy server to communicate over the Internet. The remote proxy server reroutes your traffic and hides your IP address in the process. It was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) the data goes from one device (your smartphone) to another, i. e., the destination address (a website), the proxy server successfully covers your IP address with its own IP address. This shows a different IP address to the website you are visiting, thereby making you anonymous. In other words, SOCKS5 proxy does two things:Makes you anonymous by hiding your IP addressHelps you unblock regional restrictions by changing your locationThe biggest feature of SOCKS5 proxy is that it can be set up for individual applications like a BitTorrent client, Telegram, and your favorite web browser. This ensures that only that application communicates via the SOCKS5 proxy and all other communication is via your original network. Visualize your torrent client connected to SOCKS5 and your Windows system through your original though SOCKS5 proxy has been around for decades (since the late 1990s), it has only recently emerged as a friendly option for netizens. This is because of its ease of use, one-time setup, affordability, and reliable offerings from different providers like Surfshark, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access (PIA) VPNs with SOCKS5That brings us to the main aim of this guide: help you choose the best VPN with SOCKS5 before we pick the best options, you should know that there is no such thing as a “SOCKS5 VPN”. SOCKS5 and VPN are two different things; one is an Internet protocol used for proxying, the other a system that allows encryption and private communication. It is possible that the confusion arises from the similarity in their applications. For example, both SOCKS5 proxy and VPN can be used to stay safe while torrenting. The similarity ends there for general rfsharkAlthough Surfshark recommends its Shadowsocks servers mainly to bypass the Great Firewall of China, it’s an excellent tool for general unblocking and torrenting purposes too. It is widely used in other parts of the world including in countries such as Iran. For the uninitiated, Shadowsocks combines the powers of SOCKS5 and open-source encryption infrastructure, giving you better anonymity, reliability, and recommend Shadowsocks by Surfshark because it’s extremely easy to set up and use. You don’t need any technical knowledge to get this done; just fire open your Surfshark VPN client, choose Shadowsocks as the proxy protocol, and you are done. It will automatically choose the best server location (you can choose too) for better speed and rdict – Surfshark works great on Windows and Android phones, is easy to set up, and provides the fastest connectivity among providers in this list. 3200+ global servers in 60+ countriesCleanWeb ad-blocking featureSecure and strong encryption with OpenVPNWhitelister, Multi-hop VPN and kill switchNo-logs policyWorks with Netflix and good for streamingGreat speeds30-day money-back guarantee Private Internet AccessPIA SOCKS5 is the second-best offering right now. Like most other providers on this list, the SOCKS5 feature is included in the PIA VPN highlight of PIA SOCKS5 is that there is a function to set up the proxy directly from the application/client. This means that you can use a SOCKS5 proxy to connect to PIA’s VPN servers. The advantage of this setup is that you can route your device’s entire traffic via the SOCKS5 proxy server as opposed to an application-bound also like that PIA offers Shadowsocks, a stronger alternative to using a VPN. As mentioned in our Surfshark review above, it’s widely used to circumvent censorship in only drawback with PIA SOCKS5 is that you will need to generate an extra set of credentials for your proxy connection. This can be an additional step for some users but still not a rdict – If you are looking for the best SOCKS5 proxy servers with minimal setup time, choose Private Internet pports WireGuard on all platformsCurrently WG is in Beta testing phaseNo Traffic or Request logsCan be used with 10 devices simultaneouslyUnlimited Bandwidth and good speeds3200+ Servers in 29 Countries30-day money-back guarantee IPVanishThe plus point of IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers is that they are specially made for torrenting activities. It has seamless integration with BitTorrent clients like uTorrent and Deluge. There’s also a lot of flexibility with IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers as you can choose from across locations without the fear of compromising your privacy. Moreover, IPVanish clearly states that you’ll be losing out on advanced security (encryption) and speed when you use its SOCKS5 servers. That kind of honesty is rare these rdict – In our tests, IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers provided the best speed while torrenting and surfing. If speed and anonymity form your criteria when choosing a SOCKS server, opt for IPVanish. Apps for all plarforms and OS1600+ servers in 75 cities around the worldAccess to SugarSync StorageZero traffic logsUnmetered device connectionsP2P and torrenting support30-day money-back guarantee TorGuardTorGuard names its proxy servers as Stunnel and Stealth; we’ll discuss the latter. Much like the in-VPN feature of PIA, TorGuard’s VPN client also allows you to directly connect to its Shadowsocks proxy. You can choose from a variety of servers spread over 50 countries without having to go through an additional setup for specific advantage of TorGuard over other providers is that you can use your main credentials to get access to its kitty of SOCKS5 servers. No extra cost or no additional setup is – You may follow TorGuard’s official tutorial to get rdict – If you are looking for a no-nonsense, simple setup of SOCKS5, consider TorGuard. 3000+ servers and 50+ countriesModern protocol support (WireGuard)Blocks malwareDouble AES and SHA encryptionNo-logs policyThe most customizable VPNOffers wide range of Dedicated IP locations7-day money-back guarantee NordVPNNordVPN SOCKS5 servers used to be our top choice for a long time, thanks to the powerful infrastructure. But after it reworked some of its global SOCKS servers in 2020, we have brought down its ratings by a, in its prime, the best feature about NordVPN premium SOCKS servers was that you didn’t have to purchase them separately. If you owned a NordVPN license, you could simply choose a SOCKS5 server of a desired country and set it up on your system. It offered SOCKS5 servers of three types that you can switch across: maximum speed, maximum security, and hybrid. In our experience, the first one allowed for seamless downloads and uploads on torrent clients and web browsers. Considering that low speed is the biggest drawback with SOCKS, NordVPN’s SOCKS5 fared best in speed, especially when compared to its competitors. As of April 2021, you can instead use its P2P servers for torrenting. They are equally good and optimized for torrenting #1 – In July 2020, NordVPN began updating its SOCKS5 servers. This has led to unavailability of SOCKS5 proxy servers in certain locations. You may access the NordVPN Server Selection page for more #2 – NordVPN has a nifty tutorial on setting up SOCKS5 proxy on are quick reviews of SOCKS5 servers offered by six of the best VPN providers today. 5200+ global servers in 59+ countriesCyberSec malware and ad-blocking protectionNext-generation encryption with double VPN serversObfuscation technology that masks VPN trafficStrict no-logs policyWorks with Netflix and good for streamingLightning fast with P2P support30-day money-back guarantee WindscribeWindscribe is another great VPN provider that is slowly revolutionizing the way we surf the web. Its VPN client is one of the simplest and most charming pieces of software we have seen recently. And the same also applies to its SOCKS5 CKS5 servers can be generated through its website by choosing the server location of your choice. There is no need for additional credentials, and you can set it up directly from the Windscribe application. We tested it on a Windows desktop to check its speed and reliability. While the setup was breezy and error-free, we did find that its US servers (from India) throttled our Internet speed. We are talking roughly a 20% reduction in speed, which may not always be ideal. However, our IP was hidden at all rdict – If you are already a Windscribe Pro user, utilize the SOCKS5 offering for free. Setting it up is really a child’s Does Socks5 in VPN Help? Having a SOCKS5 setup within a VPN client gives you the freedom to choose from a large number of proxy servers to unblock the sites of your choice. Most providers like Surfshark, PIA, and TorGuard have this option. This helps make the process a lot easier and faster. Another advantage is that the hybrid SOCKS5-VPN connection will give you extra cover should one of them switch off due to some error. However, we recommend connecting your application (a BitTorrent client or a browser) directly to a reliable SOCKS5 proxy server for hygiene purposes. The problem with using a combination of VPN and proxy server is that it can destabilize your connection as the setups will be competing with each other. You want to avoid such a scenario to make things safer for major difference between a SOCKS5 proxy server and a virtual private network (VPN) is that SOCKS5 does not encrypt your traffic and VPN does. This means that your communication will still be out in the open for interception. It also means that your internet service provider (ISP) will know that you are engaging in a certain activity like torrenting or accessing a blocked website. In countries with strict censorship rules, like China and Iran, this can still be a risky setup. In those cases, it is wise to use a VPN that will also encrypt your traffic for much stronger lications of SOCKS5 With an ExampleSOCKS5 can be used for the following activities:Bypassing sites like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Wikipedia, Reddit, Twitter, your IP address while torrenting (peer-to-peer sharing)Private file sharing across protocols like HTTP and FTPHere’s an example:Let’s assume Clara from London wants to anonymize her torrent connections. She uses uTorrent for P2P communication, through which she downloads movies and music. Her residential IP address is 192. 186. 9. How can SOCKS5 help her? In a basic sense, setting up a SOCKS5 proxy on her uTorrent client will help her mask her IP address. The moment she completes the SOCKS5 setup – either directly or via a VPN client – all her torrent traffic will be routed via the proxy server. All her P2P connections will show the random SOCKS5 server IP, say 143. 143. 1. 9, as her main IP will allow Clara to hide her original IP address and still enjoy torrenting without the fear of a potential subpoena. The same process applies if Clara wants to unblock Netflix US from her London apartment. She can use SOCKS5 to unblock Netflix, use her subscription, and enjoy content restricted to North American to Set Up SOCKS5? Setting up SOCKS5 proxy on any application is easy and takes less than a minute. Here we have outlined the process of setting it up on uTorrent and access its PreferencesUnder Connection, go to Proxy Server and choose SOCKS5 as the typeEnter the proxy URL (e. g. 🙂 and port number (e. : 1080)Choose Authentication and input your credentials (this is provided to you by your VPN provider)Click on ApplyFigure 1 – Screenshot of uTorrent PreferencesOnce this is set up, you should check if the proxy is working or not. You can go to and follow the on-screen instructions. We have detailed the test process in one of our previous guides may avoid this entire setup by opting for SOCKS5 from PIA or TorGuard providers. They have VPN clients with built-in SOCKS5 proxy equently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOCKS5Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions related to SOCKS5 provide 100% anonymity? No. No proxy server or software will give you 100% anonymity as all of them have some loopholes. SOCKS5 is a good option to hide your IP address but it doesn’t offer complete anonymity due to the lack of are the advantages of SOCKS5? SOCKS5 offers easy unblocking, unlimited traffic, fast and reliable connections, and better P2P integration and is SOCKS5 better than previous SOCKS versions? SOCKS5 uses authentication methods (one-way or two-way (GSS-API)) to improve security, which is not available in previous versions like SOCKS5 a paid feature? Yes. You have to buy SOCKS5 proxy servers to use them. However, most providers offer it for free along with their primary VPN I use SOCKS5 and VPN? Yes, you may use SOCKS5 and VPN together. However, we don’t recommend it as it can destabilize your connection and compromise your privacy if it’s not set up properly. You are better off using either. How to use SOCKS5 with VPN? You can choose VPN providers like Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and TorGuard to use SOCKS5 with one is better: SOCKS5 or VPN? It depends on the application. If you are only looking to hide your IP address for unblocking websites, you may use SOCKS5. VPNs, on the other hand, give you more security through encryption without compromising on speed. They can be used for torrenting, private data sharing, and other Internet I use free proxies? No. Free proxies are not reliable and may not give you the desired privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions about socks5 proxy tutorial
How do I use SOCKS5 proxy?
Using SOCKS5 Proxy for US Netflix Go to Advanced and click the Network tab. Under Connection > Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet, click Settings… First, change Configure Proxies to Access the Internet to Manual proxy configuration. Under SOCKS Host enter the URL or IP address of your proxy server.
How do I find my SOCKS5 proxy?
Just open your browser and go to www.ipleak.com. You’ll see the detailed information about your IP-address, your location and other useful data. If your real IP-address and location is different from those you see at ipleak.com, you are protected and can safely use the browser for anonymous access to web resources.
Can you use SOCKS5 and VPN?
It depends on the application. If you are only looking to hide your IP address for unblocking websites, you may use SOCKS5. VPNs, on the other hand, give you more security through encryption without compromising on speed. They can be used for torrenting, private data sharing, and other Internet activities.May 20, 2021
