Free proxy servers are often a security risk.
When looking for ways to bypass the YouTube GEMA block or other geo-blocking hurdles, many users use free proxy servers. These are computers on the Internet that bundle all of a user's online traffic and, for example, route it to another country so that the corresponding restrictions are no longer effective and the user can see the content they want.
So-called free proxy lists can be found online in abundance. The user simply copies one of the specified IP addresses into their browser settings or even into the router and from then on believes they are anonymous when surfing. If a website queries the user's IP address via normal channels, it usually gets that of the proxy server, not that of the user: actually a nice service, and since it is often free, users rarely worry about it the subject of security and risks.
The IT expert Christian Haschek from Vienna made these thoughts and tested a number of 443 proxy servers. The deliberately selected number is also the number of the standard port for an HTTPS connection, which plays a decisive role in his proxy test. Haschek used a script to check whether the proxy servers allow HTTPS connections, whether they manipulate the HTML or JavaScript code of a website and whether they really disguise the user's IP.
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The result is sobering: 244 of the 443 servers were offline - this is often the case with free proxy servers. 79 percent of the remaining 199 servers forced accessed websites to switch from the secure HTTPS protocol, including encryption, to the insecure HTTP process. This theoretically enables providers to read data entered, such as passwords, in plain text. Every fourth proxy server modified either the HTML code or JavaScript elements of a website. In addition to advertising, it could also distribute malware. In addition, there is no proxy server to cleanly disguise the user's IP.
Reading tip: Surf anonymously - so you stay invisible
It is of course only a sample, but you have to be careful when using a proxy server. Once you have found an IP address, you can run it through an online program ( proxy check ) written by Haschek. This checks the server for security features and suspicious activities. If you want to be on the safe side, we recommend using a VPN program such as OkayFreedom VPN. The free use is limited to 1 GB per month. Alternatively, there is Hotspot Shield , which provides more free bandwidth.
Set up a proxy server under Windows
The connection between client and server does not always take place directly. In many networks, so-called proxies act as intermediaries. In this way, data streams can be optimally distributed and additional security mechanisms implemented. Even private users sometimes decide to redirect their Internet traffic via a proxy server in order to disguise their own sender address and thus surf anonymously. We'll tell you how to make proxy settings under Windows 7, 8 and 10, which problems can occur and how to fix them.
What is a proxy server?
A proxy is a server that is used as a communication interface between two computer systems. As a mediating entity, a proxy server accepts client requests and forwards them to the respective target server with its own sender address. When using the Internet, private users come - albeit unknowingly - primarily with so-called reverse proxiesin contact. These are powerful servers that companies use to protect their own web servers against attacks from the Internet, to distribute loads in the network and to increase the availability of online services. These are switched in front of the respective productive systems, accept queries on behalf of and forward them to the servers in the background. As a rule, the Internet user does not notice this.
The situation is similar with so-called forward proxies , which are used in company networks to bundle data traffic to the Internet, to implement filter functions or to increase surfing speed through caching. In this case, the proxy server acts as the only access to the Internet. If an employee wants to access online services from the local network, requests to the server on the Internet first pass through the proxy. This enables employers to block certain web content from the company network and thus restrict private Internet use.
Private proxy use
If proxy servers are used privately, the focus is usually on anonymizing Internet activities. Users consciously use the services of a forward proxy to hide their own system behind the IP address of the proxy provider. There can be different reasons for this: In addition to protecting privacy in times of increasing surveillance, access to blocked web content is also the decisive motive for many private proxy users. IP-based geolocationenables providers to restrict online services to certain countries. A prominent example of this is Netflix. The popular movie streaming platform was initially not available to German users. However, American proxy servers made it possible to bypass the blockade.
There are numerous providers on the Internet who provide free proxy services . Internet users should, however, think carefully about which server they place between themselves and the Internet. Because a proxy may cover up traces in the network, but the respective provider has full access to the data traffic that passes through its server.
If a forward proxy is to be used, the corresponding settings can be made via the Windows control panel or directly in the browser. We'll show you how to do this in the following.
Manual proxy settings under Windows
In principle, private users who access the Internet with their computer via LAN or WLAN do not need to make any manual changes to the proxy settings. It is only necessary to change the standard settings if the data traffic is deliberately to run through a proxy server. In corporate networks, however, the bundling of Internet traffic via a forward proxy is the rule. Access to the Internet therefore usually requires a proxy configuration through manual entries or a configuration URL.
In both cases the configuration takes place via the Windows network settings. The click path to the corresponding menu differs depending on the Windows version used.
Configure proxy server under Windows 7
To set up a proxy server under Windows 7 , click on the “Control Panel” button in the Windows menu.
Control panel in Windows 7
From there, the click path leads via the menu items "Network and Settings" and "Internet Options".
Network settings under Windows 7
The "Internet Properties" window opens.
Windows Internet Properties menu
In the “Connections” tab you will find the “LAN Settings” button. This can be used to open the "Settings for local network" window.
LAN settings under Windows 7
You have three configuration options here. Windows can automatically detect the proxy setting , use a script for automatic configuration , or use manual settings .
If the proxy settings are to be configured manually, it is advisable to remove the check mark from the "Automatically detect settings" checkbox. Otherwise, the automatic configuration can overlay manual settings. To set up a proxy server manually, check the box next to “Use proxy server for LAN” and enter the proxy address and the port number.
Various proxy servers for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and SOCKS can be configured using the "Advanced" button. If all protocols are to use the same proxy server, a tick in the corresponding checkbox is sufficient. In addition, exceptions can be defined using the advanced proxy settings . Addresses that should not be accessed via the selected proxy server are stored there.
Advanced proxy settings under Windows 7
You will receive the relevant information for the configuration from the proxy provider. Some servers are also protected by individual access data. In this case, use requires a personal user account including a password.
Configure proxy server under Windows 8
To call up the proxy settings under Windows 8 , select the "Control Panel" button in the application menu .
The Windows 8 application menu
The app for the Windows system settings opens. Select the menu item "Network" here.
Windows system settings app
Select the Proxy item in the sidebar and make automatic or manual settings similar to Windows 7.
Network settings in Windows 8
Alternatively, you have the option of making proxy settings using the Windows 8 desktop view . In this, the click deposit is the same as under Windows 7. Via "Network and Internet" and "Internet Options" you get to the Windows menu "Internet Options", where the proxy configuration can be found in the "Connections" tab via the "LAN Settings" button can be called.
Configure proxy server under Windows 10
The proxy configuration is also done in the settings app under Windows 10 . To call it up, click on the gear icon for the system settings in the start menu.
Open the settings app in Windows 10
The window with the Windows settings opens.
Windows 10 settings app
You can access the proxy settings by clicking the Proxy button in the “Network and Internet” section.
Proxy settings in Windows 10
As with Windows 7 and 8, the proxy settings can also be made automatically or manually with Windows 10. The steps required for configuration are the same as in the previous versions.
Set up the proxy server via the browser settings
While the Microsoft Internet Explorer , Google Chrome and Opera browsers use the proxy settings of the respective operating system, Mozilla Firefox enables a separate proxy configuration that only relates to browser usage . Other online applications on the computer are excluded from the redirection.
To access the proxy setting in Firefox, click the Firefox menu icon in the top right corner and select the "Settings" button.
The Mozilla Firefox menu
The proxy configuration can be found in the “Advanced” menu item and can be called up under “Connections” by clicking the “Settings” button.
Advanced browser settings
The "Connection Settings" window opens.
Connection settings in Mozilla Firefox
Here you have the option of configuring proxies for access to the Internet. There are four options to choose from.
No proxy
Automatically detect the proxy settings for this network
Use system proxy settings
Manual proxy configuration
In the standard configuration , Firefox uses the proxy settings of the operating system. If a forward proxy is set up for Internet connections here, it can be deactivated for Firefox. For this purpose, users select the setting “No proxy”.
If a proxy server for Firefox is to be set up manually, the same information is required as for a configuration in the Windows network settings. Users can choose whether they want to set up separate proxies for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP and SOCKS or whether they want to use the same server for all protocols. Firefox also allows users to define exceptions and automate the setting using a proxy configuration URL.
Fix proxy errors
If the connection to the proxy server is disrupted, the web browser displays an error message . Warnings such as:
Proxy server is not responding or Proxy server refuses the connection
Proxy server refuses the connection
Messages of this type can have various causes. The consequence is usually a disrupted internet connection . Websites outside the local network are only accessible to a limited extent or not at all.
In order to eliminate the problem, users should first check whether a proxy use is intended. Sometimes proxy settings are changed by adware , malware or browser plug-ins without the user having to do anything . Especially those who normally surf without a proxy should pay attention to error messages of this kind. A detailed system scan is recommended to check whether viruses and Trojans are responsible for the redirection to the proxy server. If new browser plug-ins were recently installed, they should also be checked and deactivated if necessary.
If users intentionally use proxy services, connection errors can usually be traced back to one of the following causes.
Proxy server is overloaded: In particular, proxies that are available on the Internet for free are very popular with users for anonymizing online activities and circumventing geotargeting . If the demand exceeds the capacity of such a server, overload-related failures occur. In this case, the browser shows the message "Proxy server is not responding". Users now have the choice of waiting or using another server. It may be possible to ask the administrator when the service is likely to be available again.
Proxy server is offline: If a server is permanently removed from the network, it will no longer offer proxy services. Reasons for leaving can be a technical problem or the insolvency of the provider. In this case, users have no choice but to choose a different forward proxy or surf the Internet without a proxy.
IP of the proxy server has been changed: If the IP address of the proxy server has changed, this also leads to connection errors. Users solve this problem by finding the current address of the proxy server and adjusting the configuration in the system settings or in the browser accordingly.
Connection data was transmitted incorrectly: The most common causes of errors are incorrect proxy settings. Before users contact the respective provider or consider an alternative proxy service, it is therefore advisable to check all settings for typing errors in the IP addresses or port numbers used.
With private proxy use, you can usually resolve proxy-related Internet problems by selecting the system's standard setting "Detect settings automatically". In corporate networks, the use of a proxy is often mandatory in order to establish external connections. In this case you should contact the responsible administrator to have problems with the respective proxy server corrected.
