Squid Proxy Hosting
Squid Proxy Cache Server – AWS Marketplace
Product Overview
This AWS Squid proxy caching server has been optimised for speed and high is a caching proxy for the Web supporting HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. It reduces bandwidth and improves response times by caching and reusing frequently-requested web pages. Squid has extensive access controls and makes a great server Proxy FeaturesSet ACL for which networks have access to internetBlock/Allow access to certain websitesBlock/Allow Content Based on MIME Types (e. g image, text, mpeg)Set time in which users can access the internet at certain times in the dayCache frequently accessed websites, cache files/mediaHide users internal IP AddressesLoad balance with other Squid proxiesClusteringTraffic Interception with WCCPSet authentication to get users to Authenticate (LDAP, Active Directory, RADIUS, POP3, DB, etc)Allow/Block IM (Instant Messaging)Block coin-mining scripts from using CPU/memory on users browsers. A new modern aptation protocol (C-ICAP / eCAP)Caching Dynamic ContentFully Transparent Interception with Squid-2, TPROXYv2 and WCCPConfiguring multiple interception ports using WCCPv2WCCP2 and NAT on a private internal networkPHP RedirectorsSMP Carp ClusterTorrent filteringWebwasher integration – prevent downloading of virus-infected files or to filter out adult content
Operating System
Linux/Unix, Ubuntu 18. 04 LTS
Delivery Methods
Amazon Machine Image
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Ways to setup Squid proxy server and helpful tips | AT&T Cybersecurity
This blog was written by an independent guest blogger.
A squid proxy server has two major functions. First, it is an intermediary proxy. Second, it provides cache services for popular network protocols including HTTP and FTP. The use of proxies and cache services makes up a better internet user experience.
Proxies provide added layers of security and cache services that make loading processes faster. Obviously, getting both services from a single provider is highly efficient.
What is a Squid proxy server?
Squid is a Unix-based proxy server that can do both caching and proxying. It can cache any web content to the user or requestor that is from a closer data storage point. It frequently caches large media files and web pages to reduce bandwidth congestion. Thus it decreases loading periods.
Squid supports several caching protocols, such as hypertext caching protocols (HTCP), internet cache protocol (ICP), cache array routing protocol (CARP), and web cache communication protocol (WCCP). It also processes caching requests from Domain Name Server (DNS) lookups and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
You wouldn’t want to miss enjoying the benefits of Squid proxy servers. Here are some ways to set the server up along with tips to maximize your use out of it.
Ways to setup a Squid proxy server
Squid proxy servers are usually installed in a separate server from the servers with the original content.
The first thing to do is to update your server to install the squid proxy server. Check if the server is running by checking its status in the code, before starting to configure the system.
Adding allowable sites
In the configuration process, you sift through the sites that are allowable through the intermediary web proxy. These sites are considered as part of your ACL or access control list. These are the only sites that the Squid server will proxy and cache data for.
Go through the list of acceptable websites and input in the code. Once all of these are encoded in, restart the proxy and check the status afterward.
It’s safe to include an open port in the control list. The open port acts as the passageway for the other sites that were not defined and placed under the list.
Blocking websites
As much as you can configure the server to include sites to process, you can also block access to several websites.
In order to carry out this requirement, create a folder under the access command list that will hold all the restricted sites. Limiting internet access is one of the prominent uses of proxy servers, in general.
After listing the blocked or restricted sites, a prompt will appear in the code. Aside from blocked sites, you can also create a list of blocked keywords. Many companies configure their proxies to block access to several social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Once the list is finalized, make sure to save the file and restart the proxy to confirm.
Configuring additional authentication
To install an added layer of protection in your Squid proxy, install d-tools. This lets you create a password for the proxy. Make sure to assign the proxy server as the file owners. Otherwise, your access will be restricted as well.
You can also add a pxuser using htpasswd utility. This calls for a different and much stronger password. Make sure not to forget this username and password. This will be used to authorize all proxy connections later on.
Helpful tips to note
First of all, every time you change or configure the components of the proxy server, make a copy of the original file. Much like editing an article or creating digital art, it’s important to have layers or to keep the previous copies to note the differences.
In this manner, if something goes wrong after the attempted configuration, you can easily pull out and use the previous code. Aside from that, you can also do some troubleshooting by comparing the old and new code. It’s easy to point out the differences or the mistakes done in the newer version.
You need to input a command to keep the original file before configuration.
The next tip is to remember to constantly rotate the log files. Rotating large files leads to better proxy performance.
Also, always be careful in labeling your ACL. A proxy will not process or allow any domain that shares a name with another. This measure, however demanding it may seem, provides an added layer of protection. More than that, it supports the Squid proxy in carrying out one of its main tasks.
Another tip that helps improve the loading time of content is that you can configure the Squid proxy server to limit the downloadable file size. The configuration must state the maximum allowable size. Any file larger than that will not be processed by the server. The limit is applicable to all users and all file types. However, the limit can also be specified per user.
This method of limiting the downloadable size is a common practice in office set-ups that share servers. It is one way of decongesting the bandwidth and increasing the performance of the server for all users.
In the same manner, the proxy server can also limit the maximum size for uploading files.
Since caching is one of the main tasks of Squid proxies, it is designed to automatically cache the data of the websites under the ACL. But if some of the sites under the list do not need caching, you can exempt them from the process. You can pinpoint the websites to not cache their data regularly.
All you need to do is create a file under the access list and label it as no_cache domain. Once set, configure and restart the system.
Conclusion
The use of web proxies is getting more prevalent as more users are discovering its benefits. From added online security to a better internet experience, proxies are becoming more in demand even to individual and casual users.
Squid proxies, in particular, appeal to users who want the two-in-one deal that it provides. It’s not only an efficient proxy server, it’s a dependable caching tool, too. There’s no need to install separate servers to gain the benefits of a single Squid proxy.
How To Setup and Configure a Proxy Server – Squid Proxy – DevOpsCube
A proxy server has many use cases. it could range from personal internet access to restrict organization systems/servers to access the external world or to limit external internet access for a set of servers on the cloud.
The best way to configure a proxy server is by using the Squid proxy. It is a widely used proxy server.
In this article, we have covered the following.
Install proxy serverConfigure the proxy serverConfigure basic proxy authentication.
Note: This tutorial is tested on CentOS 7. For Ubuntu setup, check this tutorial – Squid Proxy Setup On Ubuntu
Install Proxy Server: Squid Proxy
Step1: Update the server
sudo yum update -y
Step 2: Configure EPEL repo.
sudo yum -y install epel-release
sudo yum -y update
sudo yum clean all
Step 3: Install squid
sudo yum -y install squid
Step 4: Start and enable squid server.
sudo systemctl start squid
sudo systemctl enable squid
Step 5: Check the status of squid server.
sudo systemctl status squid
Configure Proxy Server: Squid Proxy
All the configurations for the squid server are present in /etc/squid/ file.
Configure proxy Sources To Access Internet
First, you need to configure the sources from which squid proxy should accept connections. For example, you might need to access this proxy server only from your home network or from specific CIDR ranges.
You can add a source IP range with an ACL using the following format.
acl localnet src 110. 220. 330. 0/24
Open /etc/squid/nffile and add the source add as shown below. Change the IP to the desired network/IP source based on your needs. In the following example, we have added a single source IP.
Restart the proxy server after making the ACL changes.
sudo systemctl restart squid
Test proxy Server Connectivity
Test if the proxy server is working using a simple curl request. Use the following curl format. By default squid proxy runs on 3128 port.
curl -x
Configure Proxy Authentication
Along with access ACL’s, you can add basic authentication to your proxy server for extra security. Follow the steps given below for setting up a basic auth for the squid proxy server.
Step 1: Install d-tools
sudo yum -y install d-tools
Step 2: Create a passwd file and make squid as the file owner.
sudo touch /etc/squid/passwd && sudo chown squid /etc/squid/passwd
Step 3: Add pxuser to the password file using htpasswd utility. It will prompt for a custom password. Enter a strong password you need. This username and password will be used for all connections through this proxy.
sudo htpasswd /etc/squid/passwd pxuser
Step 4: Open squid config file.
sudo vi /etc/squid/
Add the following to the config file and save it.
auth_param basic program /usr/lib64/squid/basic_ncsa_auth /etc/squid/passwd
auth_param basic children 5
auth_param basic realm Squid Basic Authentication
auth_param basic credentialsttl 2 hours
acl auth_users proxy_auth REQUIRED
_access allow auth_users
Step 5: Now, restart squid server for the configuration changes to take place.
Step 6: Now if you test the proxy connection using curl, you will get the “authentication required message” as shown below.
Now, test the connectivity with proxy user and password we configured in step 3. An example syntax is shown below.
curl -x –proxy-user pxuser:12345 -I With username and password, your proxy request should go through.
Blocking Websites
Another great use of the proxy server is restricting the website access. Follow the steps below for creating a block list.
Step 1: Open a blocked list file.
sudo vi /etc/squid/blocked_sites
Add the websites to be blocked in the file. For example,
Step 2: Open the squid config file.
Add the following to the ACL list.
acl blocked_sites dstdomain “/etc/squid/blocked_sites”
_access deny blocked_sites
Step 3: Restart the squid server.
Now if you try to access the blocked site through the proxy, you will get a forbidden message as shown below.
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Frequently Asked Questions about squid proxy hosting
Is Squid a proxy server?
Squid is a Unix-based proxy server that can do both caching and proxying. It can cache any web content to the user or requestor that is from a closer data storage point. It frequently caches large media files and web pages to reduce bandwidth congestion. Thus it decreases loading periods.May 27, 2021
How do I setup a Squid proxy server?
Install Proxy Server: Squid ProxyStep1: Update the server sudo yum update -y.Step 2: Configure EPEL repo. … Step 3: Install squid sudo yum -y install squid.Step 4: Start and enable squid server. … Step 5: Check the status of squid server. … Step 1: Install httpd-tools sudo yum -y install httpd-tools.More items…•Aug 11, 2018
What does Squid proxy cache?
Squid is a widely-used caching proxy server for Linux and Unix platforms. This means that it stores requested Internet objects, such as data on a Web or FTP server, on a machine that is closer to the requesting workstation than the server.
