Proxies provide one of the best solutions for the many challenges you face as an internet user. Cyber attacks, loss of privacy, and geoblocking are just some of them. Whatever you do and wherever you go when you’re online, you can always benefit from having a proxy installed on your Chrome.
In this post, we’ll talk more about how proxies work, their main features, and why you should consider getting one. Most importantly, let’s see how to use proxy in Chrome. You can also find more info on how to use proxy in Chrome by reading a detailed guide by Oxylabs.
What is a proxy server?
A proxy server replaces your device’s IP address with its own, rendering your physical location invisible. Moreover, it serves as a buffer zone between your device and the rest of the internet. Since nobody can see who you are and where you are, you’re safe from attacks, spying, and other threats.
But as you’ll soon find out, proxies have many other benefits beyond basic security.
The main features and benefits of proxies
Proxies are popular because they are both simple and effective but also very versatile. You’ll find proxies protecting family devices, unlocking geoblocked movies, and filtering what employees do on company computers. The areas of private and business applications are virtually limitless.
The main features and benefits of using a proxy server include, but are not limited to:
- Improving cyber security by adding another layer of protection around your device;
- Enabling you to browse privately without anyone collecting your history and cookies;
- Bypassing various content restrictions, including news and entertainment geoblocks;
- Monitoring employees’ online behavior and protecting company assets from theft;
- Web scraping for business purposes (competitor tracking, ad verification, and more);
- Some proxy types can also increase your connection speed as well as loading time.
There are many different types of proxy servers. Depending on the practical use case and specific needs of the proxy user, different proxy types can provide various levels of protection and have a more or less wide set of features. The most popular are residential, dedicated, and data-center proxies.
How to integrate proxy into your Chrome
Just like proxy servers stand halfway between your device and the internet, a proxy for Chrome serves as an intermediary between your browser and the website you want to access (or the internet application you’re trying to use). It keeps you hidden from prying eyes by masking your IP address.
If you’re using Chrome like 2.65 billion others do, you might want to consider adding a proxy to Chrome’s default settings. A proxy for Chrome will make it seem like your internet traffic is coming from someplace else – this can be any random location or a specifically chosen one anywhere in the world.
So, without further ado, here’s how to use proxy in Chrome, one step at a time:
Step 1
Find the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of your browser. Click, and the drop-down menu will offer you several options. Choose “Settings.” A separate tab should appear, including a “Settings” column on the left.
Step 2
In this column on the left, you’ll find a “System” tab. Click, and you’ll see three separate settings on the right. One of them will say, “Open your computer’s proxy settings.” Click to open.
Step 3
Chrome will redirect you to your device’s native settings. If you’re using Windows 10, you’ll be offered two options: “Automatic proxy setup” and “Manual proxy setup”. If you have a script address, choose the first. If not, you’ll have to configure your proxy manually.
Step 4
Under “Manual proxy setup”, you’ll find a switch that says, “Use a proxy server”. Flip to switch to “On”. After that, enter the address for the proxy server and the port you want to use. Press “Save” and go back to Chrome.
Why you should add a proxy to Chrome
Using a proxy in Chrome unlocks the many practical benefits of dedicated proxy solutions.
Adding a proxy to your browser will increase the speed with which you move around the internet. A proxy will cash all previously visited websites so that Chrome won’t need to load them from scratch every time. It will improve your user experience and make browsing more enjoyable.
A proxy will also help you circumvent geoblocks and scrape the web for any type of data. The biggest boon is, of course – security. A proxy will protect your browsing history from potential intruders and data thieves, even when their intentions are not criminal.
Conclusion
First and foremost, a proxy will hide your IP address. It’s only when nobody is following your footsteps, tracking your whereabouts, and collecting your data, that you can use the internet the way you’re supposed to use it – to browse, share, and stream like it’s nobody’s business but yours.
