The craze around “Proxies” has increased immensely in the past few years. With the increase in internet security breaches, more people are using proxy servers.
Big companies have their proxy servers which help to keep a check on many factors. In the same way, mobiles have Wi-Fi proxy servers.
These are useful for android phones. They help to protect our search and data on the internet.
Before diving into how to set proxy servers on our androids. Let’s have a quick look at what a proxy server is.
What is a proxy server?
In simple language, a proxy server is nothing but an intermediary between you and the internet. Every computer and mobile phone has an IP address of its own.
The main role of having a proxy server is to mask the IP address of your device with the IP address of the proxy server you are using.
The proxy server works as a middle man. The request query you are putting on the internet first reaches the proxy server. The proxy server then sends the same request query from one of its IP addresses.
The answer request of the query will also come through the proxy server. Proxy servers are an extra layer of security to our online performance.
They keep our identity safe on the web. They also encrypt the data we put so that nobody can decrypt it.
They also remove any geographical barrier for you. Residential proxies help you by enabling the search option in any country.
Meaning even if you do not have permission to search some content of the UK, a residential proxy can help you access that.
Apart from these, you can also block or restrict certain sites that you do not want to surf. This can be helpful for big companies.
Now there are a few techniques to set up a proxy server on our Android smartphones. The first one is using a Wi-Fi network.
Setting proxy server using Wi-Fi network
Though this may sound very technical or tough for most people, if you follow this step-by-step guide, this will be easy.
Before you learn the steps to set up the proxy server, know that apps have the right to choose proxy servers. But Chrome or other web browser’s traffic will go via the proxy server.
The following step is the same for Android version 4.0 or above versions.
- First, go to the “Wi-Fi” option either from the menu dropdown or settings.
- You will see all the available Wi-Fi networks available in the area. Choose the Wi-Fi network that you want to change the proxy settings.
- Next tap on the selected Wi-Fi network, and tap on the “Modify network” when it appears. The option might vary from different versions of the android phones.
- Now you will see the “Advanced options”, click on the same. You will now see a “Proxy” option.
- Once you click on the proxy option, click on the “None” for enabling no proxies. Now click on the “Manual” to enter the proxy server settings. You can also choose the “Proxy auto-configuration” to automatically detect the settings.
- If you have selected the auto option, the Android will automatically enter the address from the auto-configuration script. This is also called a P.A.C file.
- You can also manually enter the proxy settings of your chosen network. You have to enter the proxy settings in the “Proxy port” box. Click on the “Save” option to save your current settings.
- The proxy setting for every Wi-Fi network is different. If you have enabled the proxy server for a particular network, it doesn’t enable this for all. Other Wi-Fi networks will continue to bypass the proxy
Setting proxy server using a mobile network
By using the above steps you can enable the proxy settings for your Wi-Fi network. But how can you change the proxy setting for your mobile network?
By following the steps, you can easily enable the proxy settings for your mobile network.
- Go to the “Settings” options on your phone. You can find the option in your menu option or on your home screen.
- In the setting option, click on the “Network & Internet”. For different Android versions, the option might vary. Find your “network and internet” option and click.
- Click on the “mobile network” and proceed further to click the “advanced” option.
- Once you click on the advance option, click on the APN option. This is the access point names option.
- You will find a list of APN network options. Choose the APN that you are currently using.
- You will have to edit the configuration details. You will find options namely “Proxy”, “Username”, and password. If your IP authentication is already completed, you have to only whitelist your IP addresses from the given proxy providers.
- Now to move ahead, switch off and again turn on your mobile data. Now, all the traffic for your mobile data will be configured through the proxy server.
Except for these two settings, another way through which you can enable proxy settings is by downloading proxy apps. Many proxy settings apps make your life easier.
The only catch is that your phone must be rooted before you use any of these apps. Few examples of these apps are- Cactusvpn, Proxy Droid, Proxy manager, etc.
With every advantage comes the disadvantages of the thing. Proxy servers are a blessing to internet surfing. But there might come some spam messages and viruses when using proxy servers.
Conclusion
Though many people still think using proxies is illegal. Or in some way, they are related to hacking activities, but they are legal.
And proxy servers make remote working, companies work a lot easier. It can also protect from cyber threats, malicious content, etc.
By following the above steps one can easily set up the proxy service for your android phones. That will make your internet performance easier and more seamless.
