How to Bypass web restrictions
Proxy servers hide your location so you can browse the web anonymously. Here, pick 12 best free proxy tools and offers tips on how to make the most of them.
Find the best proxy server to use
There are thousands of free proxy servers across the world, of varying speed and reliability. Visit Proxy 4 free (www.proxy4free.com) for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of options. Each entry shows details of the server's location and includes a rating based on its access time (how long it takes you to open a website through the service) and uptime (the percentage of time that the server is functional, based on past performance). You can click through to any of the listed servers, but for best performance, choose a highly rated one that's based in the UK.
Add proxy servers to Firefox using FoxyProxy
Although you can configure a proxy server in Firefox by going to Tools, options, Settings, it's much easier to install the add-on FroxyProxy (http://getfoxyproxy.org). This lets you instantly switch to the proxy server of your choice by right-clicking the fox icon on your navigation or status bar and selecting 'Use proxy [proxy server name] for all URLs'. To specify which server to use, click the Proxies tab, choose Add Now Proxy and , on the Proxy details tab. Select Manual Proxy Configuration. Enter the address of the server and a port number - usually 3128 or 8080 - and click OK.
Switch proxy servers in Chrome and IE
The Chrome extension Switchy (http://switchy.samabox.com) lets you set up and save multiple proxy servers, then switch between them in a couple of clicks. Usually, the add-on's settings also apply to Internet Explorer, so you can active anonymous surfing in both browsers simultaniously.
Pretend you are in a different country
Many proxy tools simply obscure your IP address, but Hide My Ass (http://hidemyass.com) lets you actively fool websites into thinking you live in another country, so you will be able to watch web TV that's blocked in the country, for example, Enter the website you want to visit and click the 'Advance options' menu to access the proxy-server settings. Choose one of the USA options or the Netherlands, select a random IP address and click the Hide My Ass! button. The service provides browser add-ons for Firefox and Chrome . There is also a paid-for option, which lets you virtually reside in 32 different countries.
Use a customisable proxy server
The free proxy tool Proxify (http://proxify.com) lets you customise the way you anonymously access websites, so you can load them more quickly, securely and accurately than if you use the default settings. On the homepage, either choose individual performance and protect your privacy, such as 'Remove all cookies' and 'Hide referrer information'. or pick one of Proxify's recommended configurations. Just click one of the links labelled 'speed, 'security' or 'compatibility' to activate the relevant option. Then enter a web address and click Proxify.
Browse the web anonymously using Tor
Rather than manually switching to a proxy server to protect your privacy online, you can keep your location and personal data hidden at all times by installing Tor (www.torproject.org). This secure-browsing tool uses software called an onion proxy' to apply layers of encryption to your web connection that let you visit sites and communicate with other people without revealing any information about yourself. The Tor Browser Bundle includes a modified version of Firefox, which lets you enable and disable anonymous browsing by clicking the TorButton on the toolbar. You will also need to configure the browser to allow access to Flash-based sites such as YouTube, which are blocked by default. Tor is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, and in an edition called Orbot for Android .
Ensure your proxy server is working
You can verify that your proxy server isn't giving away your real IP address by using the ProxyWay Online Privacy Test . Launch your proxy tool, then go to the test page and enter the six-digit code. Click Start Test and ProxyWay will tell your PC is revealed via your browser, such as your IP address, location and operating system. If your proxy is working properly, the test will only detect a minimal amount of data and won't be able to identify your real IP address. You can get a second opinion from the internet anonymity test Stay invisible (www.stayinvisible.com).
Access US content using TunnelBear
TunnelBear (www.tunnelbear.com) is actually a virtual-private network rather than a proxy server, but it offers a useful way to access content on US-only services such as Hulu (www.hulu.com) and Pandors (www.pandora.com). The software (for PC and Mac ) is extremely simple; just flick the switch from UK to US to trick sites into thinking you are on the other side of the Atlantic. TunnelBear limits you to streaming/downloading 500 MB of data per month for free.
Find the best proxy server to use
There are thousands of free proxy servers across the world, of varying speed and reliability. Visit Proxy 4 free (www.proxy4free.com) for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of options. Each entry shows details of the server's location and includes a rating based on its access time (how long it takes you to open a website through the service) and uptime (the percentage of time that the server is functional, based on past performance). You can click through to any of the listed servers, but for best performance, choose a highly rated one that's based in the UK.
Add proxy servers to Firefox using FoxyProxy
Although you can configure a proxy server in Firefox by going to Tools, options, Settings, it's much easier to install the add-on FroxyProxy (http://getfoxyproxy.org). This lets you instantly switch to the proxy server of your choice by right-clicking the fox icon on your navigation or status bar and selecting 'Use proxy [proxy server name] for all URLs'. To specify which server to use, click the Proxies tab, choose Add Now Proxy and , on the Proxy details tab. Select Manual Proxy Configuration. Enter the address of the server and a port number - usually 3128 or 8080 - and click OK.
Switch proxy servers in Chrome and IE
The Chrome extension Switchy (http://switchy.samabox.com) lets you set up and save multiple proxy servers, then switch between them in a couple of clicks. Usually, the add-on's settings also apply to Internet Explorer, so you can active anonymous surfing in both browsers simultaniously.
Pretend you are in a different country
Many proxy tools simply obscure your IP address, but Hide My Ass (http://hidemyass.com) lets you actively fool websites into thinking you live in another country, so you will be able to watch web TV that's blocked in the country, for example, Enter the website you want to visit and click the 'Advance options' menu to access the proxy-server settings. Choose one of the USA options or the Netherlands, select a random IP address and click the Hide My Ass! button. The service provides browser add-ons for Firefox and Chrome . There is also a paid-for option, which lets you virtually reside in 32 different countries.
Use a customisable proxy server
The free proxy tool Proxify (http://proxify.com) lets you customise the way you anonymously access websites, so you can load them more quickly, securely and accurately than if you use the default settings. On the homepage, either choose individual performance and protect your privacy, such as 'Remove all cookies' and 'Hide referrer information'. or pick one of Proxify's recommended configurations. Just click one of the links labelled 'speed, 'security' or 'compatibility' to activate the relevant option. Then enter a web address and click Proxify.
Browse the web anonymously using Tor
Rather than manually switching to a proxy server to protect your privacy online, you can keep your location and personal data hidden at all times by installing Tor (www.torproject.org). This secure-browsing tool uses software called an onion proxy' to apply layers of encryption to your web connection that let you visit sites and communicate with other people without revealing any information about yourself. The Tor Browser Bundle includes a modified version of Firefox, which lets you enable and disable anonymous browsing by clicking the TorButton on the toolbar. You will also need to configure the browser to allow access to Flash-based sites such as YouTube, which are blocked by default. Tor is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, and in an edition called Orbot for Android .
Ensure your proxy server is working
You can verify that your proxy server isn't giving away your real IP address by using the ProxyWay Online Privacy Test . Launch your proxy tool, then go to the test page and enter the six-digit code. Click Start Test and ProxyWay will tell your PC is revealed via your browser, such as your IP address, location and operating system. If your proxy is working properly, the test will only detect a minimal amount of data and won't be able to identify your real IP address. You can get a second opinion from the internet anonymity test Stay invisible (www.stayinvisible.com).
Access US content using TunnelBear
TunnelBear (www.tunnelbear.com) is actually a virtual-private network rather than a proxy server, but it offers a useful way to access content on US-only services such as Hulu (www.hulu.com) and Pandors (www.pandora.com). The software (for PC and Mac ) is extremely simple; just flick the switch from UK to US to trick sites into thinking you are on the other side of the Atlantic. TunnelBear limits you to streaming/downloading 500 MB of data per month for free.
Category: feature, Internet, proxy, restriction, web
Hi Can I bypass the server to access internet. As our company has blocked internet and cannot go through it. Is there any option to bypass the server and surf any websites.
Thanks
Sidhu
From my experience proxies are not very reliable and kind of slow. VPN services tend to do a better job overall and are somewhat more safe. I`m using this VPN service for some time now, it`s pretty fast and user friendly.