In the realm of internet browsing, the significance of web proxies cannot be overstated. Acting as intermediaries, they relay your computer’s requests to the intended web servers and DNS, caching the results to enhance efficiency and speed. This setup is crucial for those looking to navigate the web anonymously, bypass geo-restrictions, or secure their browsing activities. As we move into 2023, the spotlight shines on Chrome extensions designed to streamline these proxy services. These tools are essential for anyone looking to integrate the best web scraping API into their workflow, offering ease of use, improved security, and the flexibility to switch proxies with minimal fuss. The right Chrome proxy extension can transform your browsing experience, ensuring you maintain control over your online privacy and access to data.
The main advantage of using a web proxy extension is it allows you to access locations blocked by your government or workplace.Â
For example, if you’re in China and want to access Facebook, you can use a proxy to mask your IP address and connect directly to Facebook from the Chinese mainland.
Other advantages of using a web proxy to access certain websites include improved browsing speed, protection against malware and spyware, anonymity, and privacy, all excellent for web scrapping!
Why You Need a Proxy Server
The most common reasons to use Proxies include:
- Protecting your privacy by hiding your IP address. So no more stress or paranoia when online, trust a robust proxy server and regain your mental peace and privacy.
- Access blocked websites without any difficulty.Â
- Protect your computer from malicious software and online attacks.Â
- Hide your actual IP address from the website you are scraping and make it appear as if you were in a different country.Â
With a proxy changer, there are no restrictions.Â
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a leading Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that offers secure and anonymous access. It encrypts your data and provides a secure connection to the internet so that you can remain completely anonymous and free from any intrusion.Â
ExpressVPN’s pricing plans have three categories: 1 month ($12,95/per month ), 6 months (9,99 per month), and one year ($8,32/ per month).Â
Their plans include unlimited data and support for up to five devices simultaneously
Features:Â
- AES 256-bit encryptionÂ
- Anonymous IP addressesÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- Kill SwitchÂ
- Access to servers in 94 countriesÂ
- Split TunnelingÂ
- Zero-knowledge DNSÂ
- Unlimited server switchingÂ
- 24/7 customer service
NordVPNÂ
NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) provider that enables users to securely browse the internet. Â
With NordVPN, users can browse the internet without worrying about hackers, ISPs, or any other third party accessing their data.Â
NordVPN is highly secure, using military-grade encryption and advanced tunneling protocols to ensure that information is not intercepted and remains private. NordVPN also offers several other features, such as double data protection, DNS leak protection, and malware blocking, so users can be sure their online activities remain secure and private.
You can pay for monthly, annual, or biannual subscriptions. The following prices are for monthly subscriptions.  Â
The Standard Plan ($11,99 per month)Â
- Secure, High-speed VPNÂ
- Malware protectionÂ
- Tracker and ad blockerÂ
- Up to six simultaneous connectionsÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- SmartPlayÂ
- Double encryption features.Â
The Plus Plan ( $12,99 per month)Â
- Secure, High-speed VPNÂ
- Malware protectionÂ
- Tracker and ad blockerÂ
- Up to six simultaneous connectionsÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- SmartPlayÂ
- Double encryption features.Â
- Dedicated IP and Onion over VPN.
The Plus Plan ( $14,99 per month)Â
- Secure, High-speed VPNÂ
- Malware protectionÂ
- Tracker and ad blockerÂ
- Up to six simultaneous connectionsÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- SmartPlayÂ
- Double encryption features.Â
- Dedicated IP and Onion over VPN.
- Encrypted cloud storage
NordVPN also offers multiple extra security features, such as dedicated IPs, an encryption suite, and a password manager. All of these add-ons are available for additional fees.
Surfshark
SurfShark is a leading trusted virtual private network (VPN) provider for staying secure on the web. It is well known for its robust security features, range of server locations, and excellent customer service.Â
SurfShark offers a variety of features that ensure maximum user privacy and security. These features include MultiHop (double-hop) servers, CleanWeb (ad blocker), Camouflage Mode, and Whitelister (split tunneling).Â
SurfShark also has potent encryption protocols, such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Shadowsocks, and a kill switch and DNS leak protection to ensure your data is safe.Â
You can subscribe to the Monthly Plan ($12,99), the Annual Plan ($59,75), or the Biannual Plan ($59,76) and get:Â
- Unlimited devices
- Malware protection and ad blockerÂ
- 2-factor authenticationÂ
- 24/7 customer supportÂ
With its 30-day money-back guarantee and low monthly subscription price, SurfShark is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable VPN solution.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost is a powerful VPN (Virtual Private Network) service designed to ensure maximum security and privacy for its users. It encrypts all browser traffic, masks IP addresses, and keeps no logs of user activity. It also supports torrenting and other P2P file-sharing activities.Â
CyberGhost provides access to censored websites and services and offers multiple plans to suit user needs and budgets.
Their Monthly Plan costs $12,99, their Six-month Plan is $ 41,94, and their 2 Years + 2 Months Plan costs 56,94. All their plans have a money-back guarantee.Â
Private Internet ACCESS
PrivateInternet Acces is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) provider that helps to secure and encrypt your internet connection. It offers multiple plans and packages to choose from, depending on the level of protection, speed, and other features required.Â
The Monthly Plan ($11.95/monthly)Â Â
- Connect up to 5 devices simultaneouslyÂ
- 24/7 customer supportÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- No traffic logsÂ
- Ad blockingÂ
The Yearly Plan ($39.95/annually)Â
- Connect up to 10 devices simultaneouslyÂ
- 24/7 customer supportÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- No traffic logsÂ
- Ad blockingÂ
The Three + Three Months Plan ($79/every three years)Â
- Connect up to 10 devices simultaneouslyÂ
- 24/7 customer supportÂ
- Unlimited bandwidthÂ
- No traffic logsÂ
- Ad blockingÂ
- A ProtonMail Visionary accountÂ
- Free ProtonVPN PlusÂ
All plans come with a money-back guarantee.Â
ZenMate
ZenMate is a popular virtual private network service that provides users with enhanced security, privacy, and anonymity while browsing the web. It is based on advanced encryption technology and offers a fast, reliable connection with no data limits.Â
ZenMate also offers malware protection, and blocks malicious websites and ads, allowing users to browse the web securely. Additionally, it provides a kill switch that automatically disconnects users in the event of an unexpected network failure.
The Free PlanÂ
You can use ZenMate for free in your Chrome, Firefox, or Edge browser. The free plans give you the following features. Â
- 100% no logs policy
- 4 countries servers
- 1 device
- Max speed of 2 MB/s
The Pro PlanÂ
The Pro Plan has a monthly charge of $7,99 and gives you:Â
- 100% no logs policy
- 4800 servers in 81+ countries
- Unlimited browsers
- Unlimited speed
- Optimized Streaming proxy settings
- Stealth connection feature
- Smart locations
- Whitelist feature
- Personal Support
Save 60% on the annual subscription and 75% on the biannual subscription.Â
The Ultimate PlanÂ
The price for the monthly subscription to the Ultimate plan is $10,99 and you save 59% by subscribing to the annual subscription.Â
You can also access a three-year subscription for $59 (billed every three years). Â
- 100% no logs policy
- 4800 servers in 81+ countries
- Unlimited devices
- Unlimited speed
- Optimized Streaming proxy settings
- Stealth proxy connection feature
- Smart locations
- Whitelist feature
- Personal Support
- P2P support
- OpenVPN
Oxy Proxy Extension
Oxy Proxy Chrome extension for proxy allows users to anonymously browse the web.Â
It works by routing your web traffic through the proxy servers of Oxy Proxy. This makes your web browsing private and anonymous.
Oxy Proxy Extension is a free proxy extension. The main features of this extension include:
- Secure and private web browsing
- Anonymous IP address
- Bypass geolocation restrictions
- Unblock websites and streaming services
- View restricted content
- Multi-location server selection
- An encrypted connection and data protection
They offer specialized services for data center proxies, residential proxies, and SOCKS5 proxies.
FAQs
Are There Different Types of Proxy?
There are different types of proxies, with each type offering a unique set of features and capabilities. Here are some of the most common types:
Direct proxy: Direct proxies are the simplest type of proxy server. They simply replace one IP address with another, allowing you to get resources from the original IP address without needing to change your own. This is the most common type of proxy server because it’s cheap and easy to configure.
Indirect proxy: Indirect proxies are more advanced than direct proxies. They connect you to a third-party service, such as VPN or web acceleration service, which then connects you to the resource you’re trying to open. This allows you to browse content from around the world with just one IP address.
What is the best type of proxy?
The best type of proxy type for your needs will depend on the kind of environment you are working in. Generally, a proxy server is used to cache web content and filter requests to avoid overloading the origin server.
In a corporate environment, it is usually best to use a reverse proxy, which is a type of proxy server that retrieves resources on behalf of a client from one or more servers. Reverse proxies are often used to improve security, performance, and reliability by providing an additional layer of authentication and protection.
The best idea is to consider the environment and the tasks you will be doing to decide the best option for your specific requirements.Â
Does Chrome Have a Proxy?
Yes, chrome has a proxy. There are several settings you can configure to control which proxy is used by Google services, including the ability to use a proxy IP of your choice, or use no proxy at all. To your computer’s proxy settings:
1. Open the settings menu on your Google Chrome browser and go to Tools ⇾ Advanced ⇾ Network ⇾ Connections.
2. In the settings window that opens, select ‘Manual proxy configuration’ under ‘Access any website that requires a proxy’.
3. In the next window that opens, enter the address and port of your selected connection.
Wrapping Up
Web proxies are a great way to increase your privacy and security online and a handy tool for avoiding website blocking, which can be both annoying and inconvenient. They are also an excellent addition to your toolkit for specific professional purposes.Â
Whether for your home, office, or your parent’s house there are robust and efficient options for every budget. Check our list of proxy extensions carefully, do your research and enjoy fast and secure navigation on your everyday.Â
Which chrome proxy extension are you using? Would you consider one of these? Let us know in the comments section.Â
