Essentially, there are three effective approaches to find your proxy server address. However, each approach is optimal for different scenarios.

So, review the current situation forcing or making you desire to find the proxy server address. Then, explore this piece to the end to determine which approach best suits your scenario. Let’s go!

1. Find it Under the “Proxy Management” Section Within Your Account Dashboard

Perhaps, it is your first time logging into your proxy account dashboard and you can’t seem to find your proxy server details to configure your device. If you are in this situation, check under the “proxy management” section within your account dashboard. The proxy server address is likely there.

In case your proxy account dashboard lacks the “proxy management” section, consult with the proxy provider’s documentation or guides.

A reliable proxy provider must provide up-to-date documentation or guides to take new users through the process of configuring their devices to channel traffic through a specific proxy. You should find the proxy server address in your proxy provider’s step-by-step device configuration guide.

Besides needing to set up a new proxy connection, here are other scenarios in which using this approach to find your proxy server address counts:

Other scenarios for which you can apply this approach

● Verifying active proxies

Even after configuring your device to route traffic through a proxy, you may have to troubleshoot  connection issues at some point.

For instance, trying to access the internet only to receive error messages. In such a case, you’ll have to login into your account dashboard area and find the proxy server address to examine its status. It is also great to verify active proxies from time to time to avoid IP leaks.

● Switching proxies

When you purchase more than one proxy, you may need to switch in between them. Maybe, you want to reconfigure your device to access geo-restricted content for various purposes. So, what do you do? You log back into your proxy account and navigate to your proxy server address section.

2. Locate it in the Operating System or Browser Settings

It could be that the network administrator requires you to confirm that your device or browser is using the intended proxy server. In this case, you must have the know-how to navigate various operating system and browser settings. The proxy server address is usually under the “proxy configuration” settings. Else, you have to go through relevant browser or operating system documentation.

Other than in a corporate setting, the competency to operate within the operating system or browser settings tofind a proxy server address also comes in handy in these scenarios:

Other scenarios for which you can apply this approach

● Clearing old configurations

If you desire to change proxy providers or proxy types, you need to find the initially configured proxy server address and clear it. In such a situation, you either reconfigure your browser or operating system network settings. The same goes when you want to shift to using a different proxy server or drop a proxy server displaying connectivity issues.

● Troubleshooting connection issues

Sometimes, even after configuring the devices or browsers, some may behave differently or fail to connect. Therefore, you must find the proxy server address for each device or browser to troubleshoot the issue and ensure consistency.

● Testing different proxies

Mastering this approach can save you time whenever you want to experiment with different proxies. You can test the performance of various proxies across operating systems and browsers to determine which has great performance. For example, a proxy server may be faster on Google Chrome and slow when configured within Windows’ networking settings.  

3. Use Proxy Detection Tools or IP Lookup Tools

You are more likely to use a proxy detection tool or IP lookup tool whenever you want to verify active proxy connections and to diagnose unintended proxy use.

Proxy detection tools can tell your proxy address by assessing the HTTP header. If the tool does not find details indicating the use of a proxy,  it assumes you are not using a proxy or your proxy connection is highly anonymous.

IP lookup tools, on the other hand, can detect and display your public IP address. If the IP address does not match with that of your proxy server, it’s a sign of an IP leak or an inactive proxy server.

Unfortunately, malware can attack your device whenever you click on a malicious link, reconfiguring your proxy settings. Using either a detection tool or IP lookup tool can show you signs of this by either displaying a different proxy hostname or IP address.

If you realize your connection is compromised, use approach two to find the malicious proxy server address and delete it. Then, seek further guidance from your proxy provider.

Other scenarios for which you can apply this approach

● Testing and verifying proxy location

You can also use an IP lookup tool to determine the location of the proxy server before using it to access specific content. Basically, whenever you route traffic through a proxy, your IP gets replaced by that of the server.

In this case, the server’s IP is its address. So, the IP lookup tool scans for your IP and displays it, including the country or city. Therefore, you confirm whether the content you are consuming aligns with your desires.

● Compliance and auditing
In a corporate setting, auditing proxy usage is critical to secure the company’s network and ensure everyone adheres to corporate protocols.

The network administrators put tools in place to keep detailed network usage logs and reports for the purpose of compliance and auditing.

Some of the tools allow for self-auditing or analysis to determine compliance to company policies. In such a scenario, it is wise to use an IP lookup tool or proxy detector as it lets you know the address of the proxy that is actively in use.

Then, you can input that address into the corporate proxy auditing tool to get a clear picture of how well you’ve performed. And, in case your computer has been used for a harmful purpose by a malicious entity, it is easier to spot the patterns and report to the network administrator.

Closing Words
Finding it challenging to find your proxy server’s address on your device or browser? Perhaps, the proxy provider’s interface is complex, overwhelming you with several sub-menus and options. Worry not! Here is a guide to help you find your proxy server’s address, based on your unique situation or scenario.