Proxy servers provide security and privacy between you and your internet activities. Accessing the internet plays a key role for education purposes, social interaction, and facilitating business activities. However, governments, hackers, and advertisers can see most of your internet activities.
The information under risk includes your location, the kind of computer you are using, and your browser history.
To mitigate risks in accessing the internet, you can use a web proxy server to protect your online privacy and help you to avoid geographical restrictions. Most of these restrictions are imposed by education institutions, governments, or your workplace.
How do Proxy servers keep you safe?
A proxy server acts as a gateway or intermediary between you and the internet. When you try to access a website, your request is filtered using a browser extension or a web form. It saves the browser history of the websites you visit on a proxy server rather than your computer. As a result, the website you are visiting will only know that the request is from a proxy server, not from your device or computer. It does not reveal your IP address is to the website you are visiting.
Hiding your IP allows for a degree of anonymity, with the caveat that proxy servers will often save some of your details. However, it implies that an extensive investigation of the server records may still reveal some personal identifying information.
Web proxies have certain limitations and are a good option for one-time access to blocked content or short-term anonymity. A web proxy will only change or hide your IP address. Some will not encrypt traffic data, and your ISP or it can still intercept your traffic. Others snoop on user web activities, steal bandwidth, or store browser history logs. A better option for online privacy is to use VPN software. Despite some of these challenges, web proxies can come in handy.
The article has highlighted some of the best web proxies you can use.
Free Proxy Servers for Anonymous Web Browsing
Here is our list.
1. Hidester
Hidester Free Web Proxy
Hidester has some pretty good reliability reviews even though it is a new web proxy. Its default servers are US-based with others in Europe. You are not required to provide any sign-up or install any software to use it. You visit their website, enter a website URL, and you are good to go! Moreover, access to websites is protected with 128-bit encryption and SSL (secure socket layer).
Hidester offers several free tools and configuration options to enhance privacy. They include a secure password generator, encrypted URLs, removal of scripts, and DNS leak test. It allows cookies by default, but users can turn them off. If you choose to keep cookies, you can clear them from the menu bar when closing a proxy session.
Hidester claims it does not keep browser activity logs and assures users of their commitment to security. Moreover, they have a paid version that gives you access to hundreds of additional servers.
2. Proxysite
ProxySite Free Proxy
Proxysite is a web proxy that offers anonymity to online activities. You can use it from above or below the address bar, which impressively optimizes your online experience. It is hosted on a gigabit network, guaranteeing high speeds for a better online experience. As part of its security measures, it does not reveal the locations of servers and automatically chooses one for you.
You will be impressed by many security configuration options like encryption of target website URLs, allow cookies, or remove scripts and objects. Moreover, it is compatible with popular video-sharing websites like YouTube and features homepage navigation to other popular sites like Twitter and Reddit.
3. Hide.me
Hide.me Free Web Proxy
Hide.me is a free web proxy that advertises itself as the fastest proxy server. Their title as the fastest proxy is up for debate, and you can only be sure by trying it out. You can use it as a Chrome or Firefox browser extension or directly through their website. It has servers located in European countries like Germany, Netherlands, and Finland.
Hide.me claims it does not keep web activity logs. Some of its desirable configurations to enhance privacy include the ability to encrypt URLs, web pages and allow cookies. However, users currently do not get the option to disable cookies.
A limitation is that it displays pop-up adverts for their flagship paid-for VPN service, which might be annoying to some. However, if this is something you can live with, it is still a decent web proxy service to enhance online anonymity.
4. Kproxy
Kproxy Free Web Proxy
You can access Kproxy through their website or as a browser extension for Firefox or Chrome. It is quick to set up, and users can choose a remote server from among ten servers spread between Canada and Germany. A user can also manually switch between available servers, and they will still be protected if they lose a server due to connection failure.
Kproxy boasts of good reviews from most of its users and is a favorite because it does not impose speed limits like other web proxies. It also supports secure HTTPS connections, and users can avoid detection or blocking by ISPs and websites. Moreover, it allows you to hide the top browser menu that is not typical with other web proxy servers.
One limitation of using Kproxy is that you must wait for over 30 minutes to use it again after using it for certain specified time limits. Despite the challenges, it is a good choice for daily online activity and online privacy.
Before you use the service, please read their privacy policy which warns users that the service does not guarantee 100% privacy and anonymity. Note, Kproxy reserves the right to turn over your IP address to legal authorities if you abuse their services.
5. Hide My Ass (HMA)
HMA Free Web Proxy
Hide My Ass (HMA) proxy server offers both Free and Pro versions. In addition, HMA gives you the option to use a random server or select one from a list of over 1100 servers located in the USA and across Europe. This distribution gives users reliable geographical coverage.
HMA boasts of a good connection speed and gives you several options to set up your connection, like disable cookies, encrypt URLs, and remove scripts. It also offers SSL features and other advanced features in the HMA VPN. We recommend the free HMA version for simple private browsing. If you fancy the HMA Pro version, give it a try, as it works on several devices, games, and apps.
6. VPNBook
VPNBook Free Web Proxy
VPNBook is a fast, free, SSL-encrypted web proxy server for anonymous web browsing. To use it, choose a server located across Europe, the US, UK, or let it select one at random. VPNBook’s main attraction is that it is 100% free and can unblock websites. You can also quickly access it as there is no sign-up or registration requirement.
The main page features a simple address bar to navigate web pages quickly. It can bypass government censorship, block ads, scripted elements, and also support HTTPS connections. It also has a clear policy of logging which stipulates that they can use weblogs to report illegal activities. However, the logs are automatically deleted after a week.
VPNBook’s convenience of use, fast speed, and clear logging policy make it a top pick among free web proxies.
7. MegaProxy
MegaProxy Free Web Proxy
Megaproxy is a reliable project with unique features that sets it apart from other proxy sites. You can use it by installing a toolbar that provides a convenient way to type web addresses and switch between safe and regular browsing. You can also stop all ads, block cookies from websites, and disable or enable OS or browser user agent identification.
The free version has some limitations. For example, you can only encrypt 20 cookies and limit users to 60 sites for a given amount of time. It cannot also be used to stream media files and lacks support for HTTPS access.
8. NewIPNow
NewIPNow Free Web Proxy
NewIPNow is a free web proxy service that allows you to safely access websites and choose the IP you wish to use. You can access it through a Firefox browser extension or their website. They have several servers located in the USA.
Some desirable features include URL encryption, support for SSL, and allow or disable cookies. It also displays the estimated speed of each of its servers. Additionally, the service has several budget-friendly options which come with reliable customer support.
NewIPNow acknowledges that some of its limitations as a free proxy might not allow you to access certain websites. However, some users view their openness in advertising as a sign of trustworthiness.
9. Proxfree
Proxfree Free Web proxy
Proxfree is a fast and free web proxy with servers distributed across Europe and North America. These servers offer reliable geographical reach for their users. You can manually select a server to use or let it automatically select the fastest IP location for you.
A desirable feature includes its ability to be highly customizable. You can quickly remove scripts, disable cookies, page titles, and objects. Additionally, you can disable user-agents and referer headers that ensure the website you are visiting will not know your IP address or access links.
Moreover, you can anonymously visit video streaming websites like YouTube and social media sites like Facebook and avoid geoblocking on some videos.
10. Anonymouse
Anonymouse Free Web Proxy
The Anonymouse project has been around since 1997. Most users view it as a veteran in the web proxy sphere. It does not feature a beautiful user interface but usually gets the work done. It features a simple address bar for quick access to target websites.
The good thing about Anonymouse is that it is constantly improving its security features. The service displays information that snoopers can view when a user visits a given website. You can compare this information to what snoopers can see when you connect through the Anonymouse proxy.
A limitation of the service is that it will select a specific server for you, and it can be easy to identify its location. You can also try their VPN service or the pro version, which features SSL encryption.
Recap
Online security is a critical aspect of our daily online activities. However, there is no one-fit-all solution to online privacy and anonymity. A reliable solution should incorporate several measures that can include free proxies, paid proxies, firewalls, or VPN services. Generally, trusted VPNs will do better to protect your online privacy and keep you safe.
Free proxies still offer a convenient and valuable solution for businesses and personal use but should be limited to temporary use. Web proxies can help users access geo-blocked content, improve security, and optimize online activities. Corporations use proxies to create an extra security layer and gather publicly available information.
Our list has highlighted some reliable choices available. However, the list is not cast on stone. Most of the basic functions of these proxies are generally the same and some unique advantages to different services. These proxies are free to use and have been tested to work with your browser. We recommend that you test them out before settling on a preferred choice. Note that web proxies offer a better way to learn about online risks and protect yourself against these risks.
We hope our list helps you improve your browsing experience without revealing your IP or identity. Feel free to recommend any proxy server which you think should be on the list.
