This material is suitable for anyone who has an idea of what a proxy is but doesn't know what it's used for. This article will clearly explain how to use a proxy. For your convenience and clarity, we have accompanied the theory with examples.
Key Proxy Server Use Cases
There are three main reasons for using a proxy server. Each is discussed in detail below.
Please note: detailed cases of working with proxies for specific purposes are covered in our guides in the Tasks section.
1. Proxy ensures stable operation when managing multiple accounts
Many online resources, such as social networks (Facebook, Reddit) and marketplaces (Amazon, Ebay), have strict security policies regarding the use of multiple accounts from a single device. This can lead to access restrictions. Nevertheless, professional management of multiple accounts allows businesses to effectively segment their audience and scale marketing campaigns.
Online resources use traffic analysis algorithms to monitor activity. If the system registers multiple requests or authorizations from a single IP address, it may flag the activity as suspicious. From there, two scenarios can unfold:
- The security system restricts access for all profiles on that IP address.
- Accounts on that IP address are sent for additional verification. If violations of the platform's regulations are identified, access to the accounts may be suspended.
To ensure stable access and session separation, a proxy server is used. For these purposes, a separate proxy providing a unique IP address is used for each individual account. This allows for the isolation of digital fingerprints between profiles, preventing cross-blocks.
There are two reliable options of proxy servers for professional account management — mobile and residential proxies.
Both options have a high level of trust (Trust factor) from platforms because these addresses are identified as real user devices. Analytics systems perceive such connections as legitimate. Furthermore, mass blocking of such addresses is disadvantageous for platforms due to the risk of restricting access for real users.
Access to regional offers (Geo-testing)
It is also worth mentioning that many specialists use proxies for marketing analysis — checking the availability of welcome bonuses (bonus hunting), promotions, or discounts intended for users in specific regions. For these purposes, mobile proxies are usually chosen due to the possibility of IP rotation and high trust from services.
Important: Before engaging in such activities, it is necessary to carefully study the rules of use for specific services and the terms for providing bonuses. Violation of the platform's rules may lead to restrictions on functional access.
2. Privacy and Anonymity
The ability to maintain confidentiality when going online is the second reason for using a proxy. Proxies allow you to hide the user's real geolocation and IP address for digital hygiene purposes.
Let's give an example: you are in one country, but you use a Dutch proxy address. In this case, the website will be displayed as it is seen by a real user from the Netherlands (checking geo-search results).
It is important to understand that a proxy address only changes your virtual location. Other technical information (browser fingerprint, device configuration) can still be read by the resource. For comprehensive digital fingerprint management, you can resort to using an anti-detect browser.
This tool includes:
- extension settings;
- isolated work with cookies;
- management of fingerprints and plugins in the browser;
- synchronization of the time zone with the proxy;
- special versions of the operating system.
Remember: a proxy address will allow you to change your virtual location, but to ensure complete privacy, it is necessary to use other data protection tools as well.
3. Data Collection (Web Scraping)
The third main reason is the automated collection of analytical data (parsing). Companies and marketers use proxies for market research, tracking competitor prices, monitoring product availability, or analyzing search engine results.
Websites often limit the number of requests from a single IP address to protect against heavy loads. Using a pool of proxy servers allows for the correct distribution of requests and operation within limits, gathering the necessary data quickly and without interruptions.
How to set up a proxy server connection
There are several ways to work with a proxy server on different OS and in browsers. The sequence of actions may differ depending on the platform.
Browser Extension
The most straightforward and simple way to set up a proxy in a browser is to use extensions. This allows you to turn the proxy on and off with one click.
Our extension: CyberYozh App.
We recommend using our proprietary browser extension. It is optimized for working with our proxies, supports quick connection to HTTP proxies, and allows you to conveniently copy authorization data (credentials) from your personal account, saving you time.
Detailed guide on setting up and using our extension.
FoxyProxy is also a popular third-party solution.
Instructions for it:
1) Download the FoxyProxy plugin.
2) Click on the FoxyProxy icon in the browser panel.
3) Select "Options" in the panel that opens.
Fig. 1. FoxyProxy extension menu.
4) Go to the "Proxies" tab and click "Add New Proxy". Enter the IP, port, username, and password. To activate the proxy, click the extension icon again and select the created profile.
Fig. 2. Setting proxy parameters in FoxyProxy.
Fig. 3. List of added proxies.
Setting up a proxy via browser settings (Not recommended)
This method is more labor-intensive and has significant limitations. The main downside: most modern browsers (e.g., Google Chrome) do not support entering a username and password when setting up a proxy via operating system parameters. This means that only HTTP/S proxies with authorization (an authorization window for login and password will appear automatically at the first traffic request in the browser) or SOCKS5 without authorization will work there, which is not always secure or convenient.
Furthermore, if the proxy stops working, you will have to manually go into the system settings to disable it, otherwise the internet will disappear completely.
We strongly recommend using extensions or specialized programs. If you still need to set up a proxy using browser tools, use our detailed guides for each program:
- How to set up a proxy in Brave
- How to set up a proxy in Mozilla Firefox
- How to set up a proxy in Yandex Browser
- How to set up a proxy in Opera
Computer Proxy Settings (System-wide)
Setting a proxy at the operating system level routes all computer traffic through the proxy. However, Windows and macOS may not work correctly with proxies requiring authorization (SOCKS5 with login/password).
The best solution is to use specialized router programs such as NekoRay, ProxifierorProxyCap. They allow for flexible connection configuration. Here is a brief instruction for NekoRay:
1) Download the program from GitHub.
2) Run the program, create a profile, and enter the data (IP, port, username, password).
3) Enable the System Proxy mode.
Fig. 4. NekoRay program interface.
Detailed instructions for different OS can be found here:
Setting up a proxy on a smartphone
In the case of smartphones, a proxy server can be added via Wi-Fi settings (with limitations) or via specialized applications.
Via Phone Settings
iOS and Android allow you to specify a proxy for a specific Wi-Fi network. However, Android often does not support authorization for certain protocols through the standard menu. Read the details in our guides:
Setting up via Application (Recommended)
For stable proxy operation on mobile devices and protocols like SOCKS5, it is better to use apps such as V2RayNG (for Android) or similar ones for iOS (Potatso, Shadowrocket). Example for V2RayNG:
1) Download the app in Play Marketor on GitHub.
2) Create a profile (Type: SOCKS or HTTP), enter IP, Port, Username, Password.
3) Press the connect button.
Fig. 5. V2RayNG app interface.
Fig. 6. Creating a profile in V2RayNG.
Fig. 7. Entering proxy data.
Fig. 8. Profile list.
Fig. 9. Checking proxy operation via browserleaks.com service.
Conclusions
By following the algorithms described in our guides, you can easily use proxies.
To purchase high-quality private proxies, use the service CyberYozh App.
1) Choose the protocol type, country, and carrier.
2) Pay for the order and receive the data in your personal account.
3) Enter the data into the browser or program and enjoy secure and stable network access.
If you have any questions, you can always write to our support — we will help you with the setup!