Free proxy servers allow for anonymous browsing, but choosing the right one depends on domain extension, amount of ads, number of visitors, length of time online, and country of origin. Choose a domain extension that isn’t blocked, avoid excessive advertising, use during off-peak hours, and select a server from a country with limited or no blocking.
Free proxy servers, just like paid proxy servers, help internet users browse the internet with privacy. The proxy server gives your Internet browser an Internet Protocol (IP) address that is different from your actual IP address, making you somewhat anonymous. Choosing the right free proxy server depends on the domain extension, amount of advertisements, current number of visitors, how long the public proxy server is online, and the country of origin.
The domain extension, or the two or three letters, like .com or .org, at the end of a website address, is the first consideration when choosing the best free proxy server. Normally it doesn’t matter which domain extension is used, but there are times when an internet blocker could block all commercial websites, or .com for example. In this case, choose a free proxy server that uses an educational or .edu file; network or .net; organization, or .org; or a country-specific extension such as .us for the United States or .ca for Canada. Finding a free proxy server with a domain extension that isn’t blocked will let you access the proxy in the first place.
Advertising is an important consideration, because a free proxy that uses excessive advertising can slow down your computer. Free proxies are not paid upfront, so the owner usually makes money by displaying pop-up and pop-under advertisements. Sometimes it appears when you first log into the proxy or it might appear every time you visit a different website. Using a proxy with the least amount of ads will allow you to browse websites without slowing down your computer excessively.
The amount of visitors at any given time also determines how fast a proxy will move. Public proxies generally operate with only one IP address, so every visitor must share that address. Therefore, the more visitors log in at a time, the slower the proxy will move. Some proxies will tell you how many people are logged in, but most won’t. The best way to overcome this problem is to use a proxy during off-peak hours.
How long a free proxy server has been online is an important consideration. Most web blockers are constantly updating their lists and generally find proxy sites very quickly. Once identified, the proxy is blocked. Your best bet is to find a free proxy server that has only been online for a few hours to a few weeks. If the proxy has been around for several months, it is likely blocked.
The country of origin, or where the proxy IP originates from, can be the difference between viewing any website you want and being restricted from browsing. For example, there are many countries in the Middle East and Asia that employ web blockers nationwide. Most European and North American countries either have no blockers or have very relaxed blockers. For most internet access, find a free proxy server that uses an IP from a country with limited or no blocking.
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