Setting up a proxy is far simpler than most people expect. Whatever the tool, you're really only ever supplying four things: a host (IP or hostname), a port, and — if required — a username and password. Get those right and you're done. Let's walk through the common scenarios.
Key takeaways
- Every proxy needs a host and port; many also use username/password auth.
- Two auth styles exist: credential auth (user/pass) and IP whitelisting.
- Always test with an IP-check site to confirm the proxy is actually in use.
- For scraping, set the proxy in your library/config rather than system-wide.
Step 1: Understand the two authentication methods
Before configuring anything, know how your provider authenticates you:
- Username & password (credential auth): you paste a username and password alongside the host and port. Works anywhere, even on changing networks.
- IP whitelisting: you add your own public IP to an allow-list in the dashboard, and the proxy then trusts requests from it without a password. Convenient on a fixed connection.
Most providers — including our top-ranked picks — support both. Pick whichever suits your setup.
Step 2: Set a proxy in Google Chrome
Chrome uses your operating system's proxy settings by default. The cleanest way to set a proxy per browser (without affecting the whole OS) is a lightweight proxy-manager extension, where you enter the host, port and credentials and toggle it on. For a system-wide change, use the OS steps below — Chrome will follow them automatically.
Step 3: Set a proxy in Firefox
Firefox has its own proxy settings, independent of the OS. Go to Settings → General → Network Settings → Settings, choose Manual proxy configuration, and enter the host and port (tick "Also use this proxy for HTTPS"). If your provider uses credential auth, Firefox will prompt for the username and password on first connection.
Step 4: Set a system-wide proxy on Windows
- Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
- Under "Manual proxy setup", switch on Use a proxy server.
- Enter the proxy IP and port, then save.
- Browse to an IP-check site to confirm your new IP shows.
Step 5: Set a system-wide proxy on macOS
- Open System Settings → Network, select your active connection, then Details → Proxies.
- Enable Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS).
- Enter the host and port; tick the authentication box and add credentials if needed.
- Click OK then Apply, and verify with an IP-check site.
Step 6: Use a proxy in scraping tools & code
For automation, don't set the proxy system-wide — pass it directly to your tool so only that job is routed. The universal format is:
http://username:password@host:port
Most HTTP libraries and scraping frameworks accept a "proxies" parameter or environment variable in exactly this shape. For rotating residential proxies you'll usually point at a single gateway endpoint and the provider rotates the exit IP for you — no need to manage a list yourself.
Step 7: Always test it works
Never assume. Visit any "what is my IP" service through the configured browser or tool and confirm the displayed IP and location match the proxy, not your real connection. If it still shows your own IP, the proxy isn't applied — recheck the host, port and auth method.