Setting Up Chrome to Use a Proxy Server

Data breaches concern everyone who uses the Internet. Hackers are constantly looking for ways to access sensitive information. Using a reliable ProxyMesh (20% off 2 months) is a trusted way to protect your data from cybercriminals. A proxy server provides both security and anonymity by masking your IP address and passing your requests through the proxy. This article covers setting up Chrome to use a proxy server.

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Authorizing/Authenticating

You’ll need to authorize your IP address to use the proxy. It will send your data requests and get back responses while protecting your identity. You can either authorize your IP address or provide basic access authentication.

With most proxy services, you can authorize your IP address to the proxy via the service’s dashboard. Or you can use the service’s account-management API.

IP address authentication

• On your dashboard, click a link that reads like “Add an IP.”
• Fill and submit the form with your own IP address.

Now your IP address will be able to access the proxy without any further steps. If you add another IP to your proxy service account, it should be promptly authorized to the proxy. Be sure you do this first before you make requests from that IP to avoid a temporary block.

Basic access authentication

Besides IP address authentication, the other way to initiate HTTP proxy requests is basic access authentication. For this authentication, you’ll need your username and password to enter in your configuration below.

Setting up the proxy

For either Windows or Mac, to set up a proxy in Chrome, just configure your computer system’s proxy settings.

For Windows:

Step 1: Open your Google Chrome browser.

Step 2: Click the Customize button in the top right-hand corner and select Settings.

Step 3: On the Settings page, click on the Advanced link and then select System.

Step 4: Click on Open your computer’s proxy settings. This will take you to the Proxy Settings window.

Step 5: Under Manual proxy setup, turn on Use a proxy server. Enter the IP address and port number required for your ProxyMesh (20% off 2 months) of choice.   

Step 6: Click the Save button.

Below is a video demonstrating the process.

For Mac:

Step 1: Open your Google Chrome browser.

Step 2: Click the Customize button in the top right-hand corner and select Settings.

Step 3. On the Settings page, click on the Advanced link.

Step 4: Scroll down to System and click on Open proxy settings.

Step 5: Select Web Proxy (HTTP) and then enter the IP address and port number required for your ProxyMesh (20% off 2 months) of choice. This information is obtainable from your proxy server provider.

Step 6: Select Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS) and again enter the same IP address and port number. Click OK.

Step 7: You may also be required to enter your Mac user password. If so, click Always Allow. Then click Apply.

Alternatively, you can configure the proxy settings directly without going through Chrome. The video below shows you how.

Mobile device settings

On Android:

Step 1: Go to Settings and select WiFi.

Step 2: Long tap on the connected network.

Step 3: Expand Advanced options and select the Proxy option.

Step 4: Enter the IP address and port number of your proxy server. This information is obtainable from your proxy server provider. Tap Save.

On iOS:

Step 1: Open Settings, then WiFi.

Step 2: Tap the connected WiFi network and then tap the Manual option in the HTTP Proxy section.

Step 3: Enter the appropriate IP address and port number required. This information is obtainable from your proxy server provider.

The process is described in greater detail in both Proxy SwitchyOmega and FoxyProxy. When paired with a good proxy server, Chrome will vastly simplify your proxy management..

Maintaining online security

Security and anonymity are essential to protect your sensitive data when working on the Internet. A good solution is to use a ProxyMesh (20% off 2 months) combined with your Chrome browser. This combination has what is needed to provide you with a worry-free environment in which to complete your work.

Core Topic: How User Agents Help with Scraping

Once your browser is configured, a paid rotating proxy such as ProxyMesh (20% off 2 months) is usually more reliable than free lists. See the ProxyMesh review and our rotating proxies guide.