Students and professionals often prefer Chromebooks for their affordability, speed, and lightweight build. They are ideal for handling general tasks. Proxies are a valuable tool for any Chromebook user. It helps browse the internet securely. There are other benefits with proxies such as bypassing geo-restrictions. Setting up a proxy on a Chromebook is as easy as on any other device. This guide explains the steps to configure it.
Before Starting - Obtain Proxies
Before setting up a proxy server on your Chromebook, you have to purchase one from a reliable proxy service provider. Webshare is one of the most recommended proxy services in the world. You receive 10 free proxies once you sign up and they perform just as well as premium proxies.
After you sign up with Webshare you’ll be able to find the IP address, port number, username, and password under the “Proxy List” tab on the dashboard. You need this information later to configure the proxy.
After purchasing proxies, you can proceed to the setup.
How to Use a Proxy on Chromebook?
Follow these steps to set up a proxy server on ChromeOS which is the operating system that powers Chromebooks.
1. Access Network Settings
Click on the panel at the bottom-right corner of your screen and select the Settings icon.
Under the Network section, click on the Wi-Fi connection name you use.
It will allow you to change the internet settings. Each Wi-Fi is configured with dedicated proxy settings, meaning you have to configure it to use the same proxy with multiple Wifi settings. So, you might have to do this multiple times if you have many Wi-Fi networks.
2. Configure Proxy Settings
In the network settings, click on Proxy.
You will get the Proxy setup dialog box. By default, "Direct Internet connection" should have been selected here. This means your Chromebook won't use a proxy while connected to this Wi-Fi network.
To set up your proxy, choose “Manual proxy configuration”. This will open the manual proxy settings screen.
You can either use the same proxy for HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SOCKS or set different proxies for each. Your proxy provider will specify if separate addresses are needed. In most cases, you should check "Use the same proxy for all protocols."
Enter the proxy's address into the "HTTP proxy" box and its port number into the "Port" box. You should already have these details (check Step 1 if unsure). You can close the dialog box at this point. If you wish, proceed to Advanced Configuration.
3. Advanced Configuration (Optional)
Under Advanced Configuration, the "Do not use the proxy settings for these hosts and domains" box will allow you to set a list of host and domain names that your Chromebook will bypass the proxy for. This box is empty by default.
For example, if you enter www.netflix.com into the box, your Chromebook will connect to Netflix directly bypassing the proxy. Your device’s IP address will be used when accessing this site. Type the host or domain name into the box here and click Add. You can enter as many websites here as you like.
Click the Close button when you're done.
4. Authenticate Proxy
Certain free proxy services require authentication. If that's the case, a popup window will appear when you try to access a website. Enter your username and password for the proxy you are using. If you are using Webshare proxies, proxy username and password is located in your dashboard proxy list.
If you get errors, verify that your proxy subscription is active and make sure you’re entering the correct username and password.
5. Start Browsing
Once your Chromebook is set to use a proxy, all internet traffic goes through the proxy server. This includes browsing, curl requests, and background apps or services that access the internet.
Now you are free to use any web browser and visit any website. All your traffic will be relayed through the proxy.
If the proxy server goes down or the settings are incorrect, you may face connection issues. A "There is no Internet connection" message will appear when you try to browse. You may also see "ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED" at the bottom of the error screen.
You have to recheck the steps and fix your proxy settings to resolve this.
How to Check if the Proxy Works on Your Chromebook?
Test whether the proxy is working by checking your IP address before and after enabling the proxy.
Click the panel at the bottom right of the screen and select the Wi-Fi Networks icon.
Click the Information icon at the top of the box to view the Chromebook's IP and IPv6 addresses.
If your IP has changed according to the proxy server IP you are using, the proxy is active.
You can also use sites like www.whatismyipaddress.com or www.iplocation.net to find out your IP address. You can also try accessing a website that was blocked previously in your region. If it loads, it means the proxy is working.
How to Get a Free Proxy for Chromebook?
Many providers on the internet offer free proxies. However, most free proxy servers are unreliable and unsafe. If the proxy server goes down, even for a moment, your real IP address will be exposed and at risk. Also, most free proxy sites collect and sell your browsing data. This is why you must choose a reliable and safe proxy service. It's better to get private free proxies from a trusted service provider such as Webshare. A trusted proxy provider will offer proxies with better reliability, speed, and security.
Conclusion
The Chromebook is well-known for its security but it is best to take another step in protecting your internet activity. Free proxies are a good way to get started without extra costs. You will now have more control over what websites you access on ChromeOS.
