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Proxies, OS X and You


What is a Proxy?

A proxy or proxy server is a computer that will let you route your internet traffic through it.

Why use a Proxy?

One purpose of a proxy is to make everyone on the outside world think that the proxy server is doing everything that you are. No matter what kind of proxy you use it would be naive to think that everything you do couldn't be traced back to you.

Types of Proxy's

The two main types of proxies used to hide your identity on the internet are: Transparent and Anonymous.
They are both pretty straight forward.
A 'Web Proxy' commonly refers to a proxy you can use via a web browser.

Where to Find Proxies

Web Proxies: Just google Free Web Proxy and you will get more than you really need.
Anonymous and Transparent: This is a great list. However, a google for anonymous and/or transparent proxy will get you plenty of lists. When looking for a proxy, it is generally good to look for one that was recently checked, with a very small response time and preferably a secure one. If it supports SSL/HTTPS all the better.
Programs: Some programs like NetShade, JAP, TOR and SquidMan will find proxies and change your network preferences for you.


How to Set Up a Proxy

You are welcome to do any or all of these. If you do all of them it will be a bit redundant and probably not work though.
I am going to start with how to set up a proxy through your network settings in the system preferences. The reason for this is that all the other configurations are basically the exact same thing.

How to Set Up a Proxy Manually:

  1. Open the 'System Preferences'. This can be done from the apple menu in the top left corner.
  2. Click on 'Network'. It's the second thing from the left in the third column down(at least for me anyway).
  3. Click the network you are currently using. It will most likely have a green light next to it.
  4. Click 'Advanced' in the bottom right corner
  5. Click 'Proxies' which should be sixth from the left.
  6. 'Select a protocol to configure:' depending on what you want to use the proxy for.
    7. For FTP, select FTP. For web browsing, select Web Proxy(HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy(HTTPS) For most other applications(like pirating things) select SOCKS and or Gopher.
  7. Find a free proxy. You can use any proxy in the aforementioned list, or find one of your own.
  8. Enter the server/IP address in the first part of the '* Proxy Server' box. If the address is listed like '200.67.31.247:3128', use everything before the ':' as the first part. Then put everything after that in the next box. You could also put 'dsl-200-67-31-247.prod-empresarial.com.mx' in the first box and still use '3128' in the second.
  9. Click 'Ok' in the bottom right corner.
  10. Click 'Apply Now' in the bottom right corner of the Network window.

How to Set Up a Proxy Through Firefox:

This setting should only affect the way firefox access the internet, and nothing else.
I was gonna go over this myself, but someone else already has: http://www.library.kent.edu/page/13819
When it comes to step three in their tutorial, I would choose 'Manual Proxy Configuration' and just do it like the one for the system preferences.


How to Set Up a Proxy Through Azureus/Acquisition/Adium:

These setting should only effect the way each specific program accesses the internet, and nothing else.

Azureus:

  1. Go to 'Azureus'(in the top left corner of your computer) then down to 'Preferences'(it's the second one down).
  2. Click the little gray triangle to the left of 'Connection'.
  3. Click on 'Proxy Options'.
  4. Set it up just like the system preferences network connection one.
  5. Click 'Save'. It's in the lower left corner of the Azureus screen.

Acquisition:

  1. Go to 'Acquisition'(in the top left corner of your computer) then down to 'Preferences'(it's the third one down).
  2. Click the 'Network' tab(It's the one farthest to the right).
  3. Click on 'Proxy Server'(It's the one farthest to the right).
  4. Check 'Use a proxy server to connect'
  5. Enter the information obtained from a free list or a program like NetShade.
  6. Select the type of proxy it is.

Adium:

  1. Go to 'Adium'(in the top left corner of your computer) then down to 'Preferences'(it's the fourth one down).
  2. Click the 'Accounts' tab if it isn't already selected(it's second from the left).
  3. Double click the account you wish to run through a proxy.
  4. Click the 'Proxy' tab(it's all the way to the right)..
  5. Check 'Connect using proxy'.
  6. Select the type of proxy you are using.
  7. Enter the required information.
  8. Click 'Ok'it's on the bottom right corner of the adium window.

How to use NetShade:

Option 1: Public Proxy
  1. Click 'Proxies' tab at the top.
  2. Click 'Configure Filters'
  3. Do whatever you want here. Generally the lower ping time and the more security the better. However, if you are too strict then it won't find any proxies.
  4. Click the 'Console' tab.
  5. Click 'Verify'.
  6. Select Public Proxy.
Option 2: NetShade Proxy
  1. Click 'NetShade Proxy'
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