Expert Guide to Configure Residential Proxies

A proxy serves as a go-between for an Internet user and the Internet. Proxies allow you to access the Internet anonymously and, more importantly, safely. They provide a number of advantages, including the concealment of your IP address, which can improve your security, privacy, and even increase the performance of your PC. Proxies come in a variety of forms, ranging from data center proxies to mobile and residential proxies. This article will show you how to set up residential proxies. 

What Are the Types of Residential Proxies

You can easily obtain a residential proxy from an Internet service provider, a local Internet registry, or a Web proxy provider (which can be obtained for free or on a subscription basis). The IP addresses supplied are authentic IP addresses that can be used to configure your proxy on your home computers. These proxies can be of two types, which are static and rotating residential proxies.

To keep you anonymous, static proxies employ just one IP address while the rotating proxies use multiple alternating IPs. The next step after you obtain your home IP address is to configure it on your PC. Some proxy providers have options that automatically do the configuration but for some, you have to do the setup manually. Below is a short guide to help you set up your residential proxy. 

Instructions for Windows OS

There are two main ways to set up a proxy on Windows, automatic and manual.

Automatic

By default, Windows uses automatic detection of proxy settings. This should be your method of choice unless your computer is connected to a network; in this case, you’ll have to set up a proxy manually. To use an automatic configuration script, follow these steps:

1. Open ‘settings’ on your Windows PC.
2. Go to ‘network and internet.’ 
3. Next click on ‘proxy.’
4. Click on ‘automatic proxy setup.’ 
5. After that, enable the ‘setup script.’
6. Type in the script/IP address you were given in the required field.
7. Click on ‘save’ and close the tab.
8. Follow the same steps above to disable the proxy. At no.4, toggle the setting off.

Manual

During manual setup, you have to enter everything by hand. The proxy server’s address looks like any other IP. Double-check that you’ve entered everything correctly, or you will fail to connect to the proxy server. Follow these steps to set up a proxy manually:

1. Secure an IP address from your ISP or network operators.
2. Open ‘settings’ on your Windows PC.
3. Go to ‘network and internet.’ 
4. Open the ‘proxy’ drop-down menu.
5. Navigate to ‘manual proxy setup’ and select ‘set up.’
6. Enable ‘use a proxy server.’
7. Input the IP address in the required field.
8. Type in the port number which could be a combination of numbers (80 or 8080) depending on its configuration.
9. Click on ‘save’ and exit the settings window.
10. Repeat the steps above to disable the proxy. At no.4, toggle the setting off. 

For macOS

Setting up a proxy for macOS can also be done either automatically or manually:

1. Click on the Apple icon to open the drop-down menu.
2. Next, select ‘system preferences.’
3. Open the ‘network tab.’
4. Select ‘advanced’ from the ‘Wifi’ menu.
5. Click on ‘proxies’ and select the protocol which you will use (SOCKS or HTTP).
6. Click on ‘auto proxy discovery’ to automate the rest of the process or fill in the required fields manually.
7. Click on ‘OK’ to finish the proxy setup.

Setting Up Residential Proxies Is Easy

Proxy servers are of great help when exploring the Internet, especially when you are concerned about your online privacy. By following the procedures outlined above, you can see that setting up a home proxy service is not as complex as it might seem. 

Was this guide helpful, and which other guides would you like to see? Please, share your opinion in the comments section below.