Web Proxy Software
WinGate Proxy Server. Web Proxy for Windows
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Since 1995 Qbik has developed capable & user friendly software specialising in Internet connectivity and security. Our products allow users to manage their Internet connections (WinGate), connect remote offices together (WinGate VPN), and combat malware (Kaspersky AV for WinGate).
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Our flagship advanced caching HTTP proxy, SOCKS server and multi-protocol proxy server, email server and internet gateway system for Windows.
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Lumen for WinGate is a web content classification plugin for WinGate. It allows administrators to set access policy based on the classification of a site, rather than having to set policy on a site-by-site basis.
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10 Best Free Proxy Servers – Safe and Anonymous Browsing in 2021
Ordinarily, anyone can see what you do online. When you connect to a non-secure website, advertisers, hackers, and government agencies can see where you’re located and what kind of computer you’re using. This information can be used to feed you targeted ads, and it can block you from seeing certain web content.
Web proxies protect your privacy and also help avoid restrictions. Such restrictions may be imposed by a government, workplace, school, or others. In any case, a web proxy helps make the internet as free and anonymous as it should be.
How a Proxy Keeps You Safe
When using a proxy, your request to a website is filtered through a web form, or sometimes a browser extension. The proxy server then acts as an intermediary. It receives your request, finds the right information on the internet, and relays it back to you.
Without this intermediary, the connection between your computer and a website is wide open. But when using a proxy, prying eyes can’t see both sides of the exchange.
As far as the website knows, the request is coming from the proxy server, not from your computer. Personally identifying information – like your IP address – doesn’t make it to the other side.
When it’s not clear who you are, a website doesn’t know whether you’re “allowed” to visit. If your national government blocks a website, it can only block it for people inside the country. But if the site thinks you’re visiting from a foreign server, it will usually let you through.
This way, a proxy can help keep you safe when there are consequences to reading certain information online. However, it’s important to note that proxies alone only offer a basic level of protection. They tend to have a small number of IP addresses, which can be blocked once they are recognized as proxies.
What to Look for in a Free Proxy
Free web proxies have some limitations. But they’re a good option for people who need short-term anonymity or one-time access to blocked content.
Of course, some proxies are better than others. You should do your research before choosing which one to use. Always stick to a service with a solid reputation. Unknown or untested proxies might not work as advertised, or they might even carry a risk of malware infection.
The first feature you should look for in a free web proxy is the number and variety of its servers. If there are many options, you’re less likely to lose your connection. And if some of the available servers are close to you, you’ll probably get better internet speeds.
Not all proxies give details about their servers. And not all of them allow you to choose which ones to connect to. When this information isn’t available, you should be skeptical. But don’t dismiss the service completely. If other users have had a good experience with it, then you might be satisfied with letting the servers’ owners choose one for you.
Another thing to look for in a free web proxy is customizability. Every good proxy will serve the same role as an intermediary in your web browsing. But some will offer additional services beyond hiding your IP address.
Many of the web proxies that we recommend in this article add additional security by encrypting URLs and page content. Many of them give you the option to block scripts and objects, which can increase the risk of malware infection. Some also disable cookies to minimize the storage of your browsing history.
These sorts of tools help you to get the most out of a web proxy without having to pay for decent protection. But the same tools are usually made stronger with paid upgrades. And if you want the absolute best protection, nothing beats a well-tested VPN.
Disadvantages of Proxies
Whatever free web proxy you choose, its extra features are only a bonus. And these usually come with strict limits. You may find that only a certain number of cookies can be encrypted each month. Blocking certain elements of a site might keep you safer but also prevent it from displaying properly.
Even worse, it’s common for proxies – especially free proxies – to come with traffic limits. If you want 24/7 protection from monitoring, hackers, and malware, you might want to upgrade to a paid version. Better yet, you might want to opt for a VPN instead.
Proxies are good enough for getting around firewalls and unblocking content. But they are not as much of a guarantee against monitoring by hackers or your internet service provider. It’s also far more likely that a free proxy could track some of your activities. A premium VPN, such as ExpressVPN has strict no-log policies. One of our top picks is when looking at overall performance.
A VPN will also save you the hassle of having to manually route all your web traffic through the service. To use a web proxy, you have to navigate to the proxy site and then input the URL from there. With a VPN, you can install an app on your device and let it run automatically.
The more advanced VPN option means you’ll be protected when connecting to the internet with third-party apps instead of your web browser. These days, a browser is definitely not the only app that needs protection. But that’s where most free web proxy services end.
Premium VPN services like ExpressVPN offer you a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can enjoy a risk-free trial of their superior protection.
Try ExpressVPN
Best Free Proxy Servers
Despite the drawbacks, a free proxy might be all that you need. In that case, there are plenty of good options for you to consider.
We’ve combed through existing reviews and tested some free proxy services for ourselves. And from what we’ve found, these are ten of the best free proxy servers out there:
1. KProxy
This seems to be the single most frequently recommended free proxy server. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best. But it does mean that it’s good enough that it satisfies most users, most of the time.
With KProxy, you have ten servers to choose from. You can manually pick from these and switch them anytime. So if you lose access to one server, you’re still protected. There are no imposed speed limits, as with some proxies. And KProxy has a good track record for avoiding detection and blocking by websites and ISPs.
You can access KProxy servers directly through the website, or you can download a browser extension for either Firefox or Chrome.
2. ProxySite
This free web proxy also gives you the opportunity to manually switch between servers. It also offers more than twice as many servers as Kproxy.
You can have ProxySite choose automatically from among servers in the United States and the European Union. Or if you’re having difficulty, you can try them one by one. The specific locations aren’t identified, though, so you can’t be sure of the effect on your connection speed.
ProxySite has been tested for compatibility with YouTube. There are even buttons on the main page that take you, by proxy, to popular sites like Reddit and Twitter. ProxySite is tailor-made to bring anonymity to your everyday online activities.
3.
This option also appears on many “best of” lists, even though its functionality is somewhat limited. doesn’t work with YouTube, Instagram, or Pinterest, and it relies on servers in only 1, 900 locations to mask users’ IP. But it makes up for some of these drawbacks with added security.
allows you to disable cookies, scripts, and objects on any site. In addition to hiding your IP behind the proxy, this service adds a layer of encryption and guarantees that URLs expire after every browser session.
The proxy will not save databases or IP addresses, so you can be confident that your information will not fall into the hands of hackers or advertisers. This makes it a good option for people who are more interested in security than entertainment online. also offers users a full VPN service in addition to its proxy servers.
4. HMA
This web proxy gives you the option to connect to a random server or choose one of 1, 080. These are located on opposite sides of the US and in four different European countries. The geographic coverage is as good as can be expected with a small number of servers.
The HMA proxy also prompts you to set up your connection with three options. You can encrypt URLs, disable cookies, and remove scripts. But that’s about as far as it goes without upgrading to the HMA VPN, which the site will try to sell you.
5. Hidester
Recent user reviews have given Hidester a good reputation for reliability. But it’s not for sure that the reputation will stand up, because this proxy is pretty new.
Still, it seems to be as good an option as other more established proxies on this list. Hidester operates its own servers across both the US and Europe, and access to them is protected with 128-bit encryption and a secure socket layer (SSL).
Its commitment to security extends to free users but paying customers receive access to literally hundreds of additional servers.
Hidester also offers a number of free tools alongside its web proxy. These include a secure password generator and a DNS leak test. These could be major perks for users who want to stay safe online.
6. Anonymouse
If Hidester is a new kid on the block, Anonymouse is an elder statesman of web proxies. It has been around since 1997 and still appears on many lists of most reliable proxy servers.
The main page for Anonymouse shows you the information that snoopers can see when you connect to a site. And it lets you compare that to what they’ll see when you connect through their proxy. But they choose the specific proxy for you, so you’ll just have to trust them.
Tests have actually shown that it’s pretty easy to identify the proxy that you’re using through Anonymouse. So the security might not be the best. But this old service still seems to be improving. Paid users get SSL encryption, and Anonymouse recently launched its own VPN.
Along with the web proxy, you can use Anonymouse to anonymously send e-mails and post to newsgroups. So after all this time, it still has something unique to offer.
7. Megaproxy
Compared to some free proxies, Megaproxy’s servers are harder for snoopers to identify. And that’s without the additional security of its paid version.
You can use Megaproxy by installing a toolbar that lets you type web addresses and route them through a proxy server. It’s a convenient setup, and you can easily switch between regular and protected browsing.
Unfortunately, this might be important with the free version. Megaproxy limits non-paying users to 60 site visits in a five-hour period. And it only encrypts 20 cookies at a time. Still, this adds a little extra privacy that not all free proxies have.
8. NewIPNow
This service acknowledges some of its own limits upfront. It says openly that free proxies might be incompatible with certain websites. That kind of truthfulness in advertising might be a sign of trustworthiness.
Speaking of truth and accuracy, NewIPNow shows you the estimated speed of each server you could connect to. There are about a dozen of these, though they are mostly limited to the United States. But users still receive a new IP address for each session.
You can use NewIPNow on-site or through a Firefox browser extension. There are budget-friendly paid options and they promise 100 percent compatibility. And if you have problems, customer support is a click away.
9. 4everproxy
Before connecting to 4everproxy, you can select both the server and the IP location. There are over ten options for the first selection and even more for the second. By trying different options you can find the perfect balance between security and connection speed.
But speed shouldn’t be much of an issue in any case. Each 4everproxy server boasts a one gigabit per second connection. Each connection also comes with optional SSL encryption and blockage of cookies and scripts.
10. ProxFree
With seven servers in North America and four in Europe, this web proxy offers a decent geographical reach and solid security. After you choose a server, you will be switched to the fastest IP location. But this can also be changed manually.
ProxFree is as customizable as most any free web proxy. SSL encryption is enabled by default but can be turned off. There are check boxes to remove scripts, objects, cookies, and page titles. You can also disable the “referer” and “user agent” headers. This way, the site you’re visiting won’t know what you clicked on to get there, or what type of computer you’re using.
ProxFree has dedicated pages for visiting Facebook, YouTube, and other video streaming sites. You can be confident in your ability to browse social media anonymously and avoid geoblocks on most videos.
Conclusion
None of these proxies would be our first recommendation for people who want to protect their privacy and stay safe online. A trusted VPN will do a better job than any one of these. You can read our newbies guide to VPNs for an in-depth explanation. Our number one choice of VPN is ExpressVPN. But free web proxies are a convenient option, especially for temporary use.
As you can see, there are many good choices available. Their basic function is generally the same, but there are unique advantages to different services. Luckily, they are all free to use and work right in your browser. So you can test them out one by one if you need to.
Free web proxies can be a good way of learning about the risks associated with your web browsing, and how to protect against them. And since some of these providers also have their own VPNs, a web proxy can be a stepping stone to more complete protection. We also took a look at different proxy protocols if you’re looking to understand the other options available to you.
Further Reading
Easy Ways to Hide Your IP Address
Top Really Free VPN Services
Best VPN Browser Extensions for Chrome
Privacy Alert!
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we’ve tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it’s currently offering 49% off.
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What Is a Web Proxy and How Does It Work? | HideMyAss Blog
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BlogPost 31567921702 What Is a Web Proxy and How Does It Work?
You’ve probably heard the term before, but what exactly is a web proxy? And how does it help you browse anonymously and access blocked content? Read on, and you’ll be sneaking around content blocks and hiding better than a chameleon in no time.
What is an anonymous web proxy?
Just to up the confusion factor on ya, there are a few similar, yet different terms we’re discussing here. So let’s get it straight before we move on:
A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between your computer and the rest of the internet. Because you connect first to the proxy server, and then the proxy accesses your desired site on your behalf, you’re able to conceal your identity — which means hiding your IP address and geographic location.
A web proxy is a tool that facilitates your connection to a proxy server. Some sites offer a free web proxy to help you connect to their proxy server and browse anonymously.
A web proxy browser extension is like a web proxy, but it resides conveniently in your browser, so it’s always there whenever you want to use it.
How does a web proxy work?
Using a web proxy is pretty intuitive. First, type in the address of the free web proxy tool. Once you’re on the web proxy provider’s site, there will be a field where you can enter the website that you want to visit and select the server location you want to use. The web proxy then routes this request through your chosen proxy server.
The proxy server searches its cache of all the previous pages you’ve looked at. If it finds your current request in its memory, it’ll send it back to you without having to go onto the public internet.
If it doesn’t find it, the server will then use one of its own IP addresses to request the page you want to view. The website that hosts this page sees only your server’s IP address (not yours) and sends the page data to the server, which then forwards it on to you.
This process can happen so fast that it’s invisible, or there can be some noticeable delays, depending on the quality of the web proxy and how many people are using it. If you’re lucky, you wouldn’t even know that your computer had a stand-in if you hadn’t set it up yourself in the first place.
But using a web proxy tool does mean that you need to navigate to the tool’s website first every time you want to visit another site. It also means the proxy works only in that one tab. An easier solution is to download a web proxy extension, which sits conveniently in your browser. So it’s always there, ready and waiting anytime you need to hide your IP address or unblock a site due to content blocks, work restrictions, or any other reason.
How safe are web proxies?
It’s important to remember that nothing is 100% safe on the internet, and web proxies are no exception.
Many free proxies skimp on security and privacy features. If you’re considering using a free proxy tool, check and see if it uses encryption. If it doesn’t, then your internet traffic is an open book to hackers and advertisers. Unencrypted proxies are particularly unsafe to use on public Wi-Fi networks, since other people on the network can spy on your unprotected traffic with a little bit of hacker know-how.
Additionally, the proxy servers themselves may be vulnerable to hacking. If the administrators of the proxy server aren’t following basic cybersecurity standards, such as keeping their software up-to-date, then everything on those servers is up for grabs — and your IP address can be revealed to the world.
And while proxies block advertisers and your ISP (internet service provider) from seeing what you’re doing, the proxy server provider can see all your activity. That’s why it’s important to use a trustworthy proxy with a solid reputation and good user reviews.
HMA’s free proxy extension for Chrome or for Firefox encrypts your browser connection to protect your personal info. It sits conveniently in your browser, ready to provide anonymous browsing and ferry you around geographic content blocks anytime you need it. Choose from a variety of locations, then stream videos and download files easily.
Best uses of a free web proxy tool or extension
A free web proxy provides oodles of goodness:
Browse anonymously: Block your ISP, advertisers, and governments from seeing what you’re doing online.
Unblock geo-restricted content and avoid fees: Some streaming sites provide free content in one location, but charge a fee in another — or block access entirely. You can avoid that mess by using a proxy.
Surf faster: A proxy saves (“caches”) the sites you visit, which lets it load them very quickly the next time you return to the same site.
But remember that most free proxies only provide these benefits in a single tab that you need to navigate to every time you want to do anything. That’s why HMA’s free proxy browser extension is much more convenient, if we do say so ourselves.
What sites can you access with a proxy?
What can you access with a free web proxy? A better question might be, what can’t you access?! Social media, streaming platforms, news, sites blocked by geographic or work/school restrictions, sites of an “intimate” nature… go nuts!
That said, some sites may not work well with proxies. And some sites keep a list of IP addresses associated with proxy servers in order to block requests coming from those addresses if detected. That’s just one reason why a full VPN provides much more reliable results.
Isn’t a proxy just a VPN?
It sure isn’t! While proxies have some things in common with VPNs (virtual private networks), there are several important differences. A proxy is like a free light beer — it’ll get the job done, it’s free, and hey — it is still a beer! But if a proxy is a light beer, then a VPN is an expertly crafted cocktail, perfectly suited to your refined tastes.
How so? Well, for a start, a web proxy works only within your browser and nowhere else, which means it only anonymizes your web browsing. A VPN works on all kinds of devices, and encrypts your full connection to the internet. You can even put a VPN on your router so that all devices you have get VPN protection. And a VPN on mobile protects you any time you use your online banking app or other sensitive internet activity outside of a browser.
You can also use a VPN with a smart TV or use your Xbox over a VPN to get around content blocks and stream on the big screen.
A proxy is a quick and convenient solution to help unblock sites, but has pretty limited functionality. And if governments and companies really want to find out who you are, they can do so without too much trouble. So VPNs aren’t just for the next Edward Snowden — if you value your online privacy, VPNs make it much more difficult for would-be snoopers to track your activity across the web.
And VPNs — good ones, at least, like the expertly crafted cocktail that is the HMA VPN — provide tons of extra features. HMA VPN offers 1000 servers in 290 locations across 190 countries, servers that are optimized for streaming, protection against DNS leaks, 24/7 customer support, and more.
To dig deeper into the differences (and learn about one additional anonymous browsing option), check out our full review of Proxy vs. VPN vs. Smart DNS.
Browse privately with HMA
Ready to commit but still not sure if you should go with a proxy or a VPN? For the ultimate privacy and access experience, give HMA VPN a whirl. With our 30-day money-back guarantee, you can give it a spin risk-free.
Or head straight to our free web proxy extension to start browsing anonymously for the low, low price of zilch. You can choose HMA’s free proxy extension for Chrome or for Firefox to encrypt your browser connection and protect your super-sensitive data. Our proxy extension sits snugly in your browser, ready to carry you around geo-blocks anytime you need it. Choose from a variety of locations to stream videos and download files quickly and easily.
Frequently Asked Questions about web proxy software
What is the best proxy website?
Best Free Proxy ServersKProxy. This seems to be the single most frequently recommended free proxy server. … ProxySite. This free web proxy also gives you the opportunity to manually switch between servers. … Hide.me. … HMA. … Hidester. … Anonymouse. … Megaproxy. … NewIPNow.More items…•Oct 19, 2021
What is a web proxy tool?
A web proxy is a tool that facilitates your connection to a proxy server. Some sites offer a free web proxy to help you connect to their proxy server and browse anonymously. A web proxy browser extension is like a web proxy, but it resides conveniently in your browser, so it’s always there whenever you want to use it.
Which software is used for proxy?
Proxifier is an advanced proxy client program. With it, you can route the network connection of any application through a proxy. It supports HTTP, SOCKS, IPv6, etc and it is a very lightweight software. In addition, Proxifier features encrypted proxy channels which makes the software highly secure.Mar 14, 2021
