Set Up Your Computer for TrustedProxies

Follow this link to go back to Part 1, Introduction to Using TrustedProxies with Rank Tracker.

So you want to start using TrustedProxies with RankTracker, or maybe another SEO tool? This post will show you how to setup your computer and web browser for TrustedProxies.

System Settings and Browser Settings

As a foreword to individual browser configuration steps, this section distinguishes between system settings and browser settings. Some proxy server configurations adjust the system settings, while others modify the browser settings.

System settings

These settings determine how your device processes all of your internet traffic, meaning that all data sent via the Internet is routed through the proxy server. This includes your browser and all other applications on your device, such as your email client, streaming media like Netflix and Spotify, and any downloads, updates, or general traffic.

With system settings, you don’t have to enter the details elsewhere – a convenience for those who need all of their traffic to go through the proxy server. However, it can be a drawback if you only want some traffic to go through the server:

• You may push more bandwidth through the proxy than you intend to.
• Also, if the proxy server has only specified ports open, then other applications, such as your email client, will not work.

Remember too that the proxy server settings will remain in place when you close the browser. If you only want to use the proxy for a short time, you’ll need to tell your device to stop using the proxy server.

Browser settings

These settings send your traffic via the proxy server only when you’re using the browser to surf the web or download items such as images or documents. Any updates to proxy settings affect only the browser environment. All other data to and from the Internet does not go through the proxy server.

After using the proxy server, you’ll still need to tell the browser to disconnect from the proxy. Otherwise, the next time you use the browser, your traffic will continue to be routed through the proxy server.

Set up a proxy server in Windows 10

Authentication Methods

You can authenticate either through a static IP address whitelist or by username:password. While static IP address whitelisting is the more secure method, you may prefer to include username:password in your scripts.

IP Authentication

1. With the search bar enabled, enter proxy server settings. Click on the first result to display the settings window.

OR:

Press Windows + I together to open the main Settings menu and search for proxy server settings.

2. Confirm that the Automatically detect settings toggle is set to On. Under Manual Setup, set the Use a Proxy Server toggle to On.
3. Using data from your provider, enter the proxy server IP address or hostname in the Address field.
4. Using data from your provider, enter the port number in the Port field.
5. Click on Save.
6. If you need to enter a username and password to connect to the proxy server, please see the following section on Basic Authentication.

Basic Authentication

1. With the search bar enabled, type credential manager. Click on the first result to open the credential manager settings window.

OR:

Press Windows + I together to open the main Settings menu and search for credential manager.

2. Select Windows Credentials and click on Add a Windows credential.
3. Enter the proxy server IP address or hostname in the Internet or network address field. Using data from your provider, enter your username and password in the corresponding fields.
4. Click OK.

This concludes Windows 10 setup. Hereafter, traffic sent to the Internet goes through the proxy server.

Set up a proxy server in MacOS

1. Click on the Apple menu and then System Preferences.
2. Next, click on the Network icon and select your connection, either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
3. Now click Advanced and then Proxies.

4. Check both Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS). And enter the proxy server address port number in the corresponding fields for each of them.
5. If the proxy requires a password, select the Proxy server requires password checkbox. Then enter your username and password in the corresponding fields.
6. If instead you have a PAC file (proxy auto-configuration), check Automatic Proxy Configuration; then in the URL field enter your proxy server address.
7. Click OK to save your entries.

This concludes the MacOS setup.

Set Up a Proxy in Chrome

Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers use your Windows or MacOS system settings for proxy servers. When setting up a proxy server in Chrome, go through browser settings and then into your device’s operating system.

Follow the steps below to change your proxy settings from inside Chrome:

1. Open the Chrome toolbar by clicking on the three dots at the top right of the browser and from the menu click on Settings.
2. In the search bar at the top of the settings, type in proxy. Chrome automatically runs the search for you.

3. Click on Open your computer’s proxy settings. Chrome opens your system settings.
4. Now return to the instructions for your operating system, either Windows or MacOS. Complete the applicable instructions for OS setup. Thereafter, traffic sent to the Internet will go through the proxy server.

Test Settings in a Browser

Before submitting queries in a live environment, best practice is to test The Big-G in a web browser to identify any authentication issues. After entering the proxy server details in your browser settings, head to your preferred specific Google ccTLDs, such as www.google.com. You will know settings are correct if you see the normal Google home page; then it’s OK to run queries and use Rank Tracker to run with The Big-G.

For other browser setups, see How to Set Up a Proxy Server.

Follow the link to part 3, Using Rank Tracker with The Big-G Stealth Extractor.