The COM Guides
How to use a free HTTP or HTTPS proxy safely
A cautious, step-by-step way to choose a recently tested endpoint, configure it, verify it, and remove it again.
Before you connect
A public proxy is an unknown computer between you and the websites you visit. The operator may be able to record destinations, alter unencrypted traffic, inject content, or disappear without warning. A successful Prox check only confirms that an endpoint recently completed a limited technical test. It is not a trust or privacy endorsement.
Do not use a free proxy for banking, email, work systems, payments, password resets, personal accounts, or anything that could identify or harm you. Prefer a reputable VPN or Tor Browser when the threat is more serious. Obey the law and the rules of the network and service you are using.
1. Choose a current endpoint
Open the free proxy list and filter by protocol, country, latency, or recent success rate. Prefer an endpoint checked recently and successfully more than once. Copy its address, port, and protocol exactly.
HTTP and HTTPS labels describe how your browser reaches the proxy; they do not make every destination safe. The website itself should still use HTTPS. Never dismiss a certificate warning.
2. Record your existing settings
Before changing anything, take a screenshot or note whether your browser or operating system uses automatic detection, a setup script, or manual settings. This makes it much easier to return to a direct connection.
3. Enter the address and port
Firefox has its own connection panel under Settings → General → Network Settings → Settings. Choose Manual proxy configuration, enter the endpoint, and only reuse it for HTTPS when the endpoint and protocol actually support that arrangement. Mozilla's current connection settings guide explains each option.
Chrome and Edge normally follow the operating-system proxy. On Windows 11, open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy. Under Manual proxy setup, choose Set up, enter the address and port, then save. Microsoft's Windows proxy guide covers automatic scripts and manual settings. On macOS, use System Settings → Network → your connection → Details → Proxies; Apple's proxy settings guide lists the available protocols.
4. Verify the route without signing in
Open a new private window and visit a reputable IP-check page over HTTPS. Confirm that the reported public address changed. Then load one ordinary HTTPS website and check that the address bar shows the expected hostname and a valid secure connection.
Stop immediately if you see certificate warnings, unexpected downloads, injected adverts, redirects, or login prompts that look different.
5. Remove the proxy when finished
Return to the same settings screen and restore the values you recorded. Close all private windows. Confirm your normal public address has returned. If the endpoint behaved suspiciously, report it from its Prox detail page so it can be reviewed and suppressed.
What a proxy does not do
A browser proxy does not automatically cover every application, prevent browser fingerprinting, remove cookies, make unlawful activity lawful, or guarantee anonymity. DNS handling also varies by protocol and application. Treat a free endpoint as a short-lived routing tool, not a security boundary.