How To Set Up Proxy in Firefox & Recommended Settings

How To Set Up a Proxy in Firefox & Recommended Settings

Published on: April 19, 2023
Last Updated: April 19, 2023

How To Set Up a Proxy in Firefox & Recommended Settings

Published on: April 19, 2023
Last Updated: April 19, 2023

Firefox has a pretty simple UI design, and using this application on mobile and desktop is not challenging. But some people still don’t understand how to use or configure the browser to use proxies. 

Therefore, we have developed this article to guide you about setting up your Firefox to use proxies. 

Other browsers like Safari, Opera, and Chrome are different. Opera and Chrome, in particular, are different because they are written in the Chromium engine, and they also work with the system’s proxy settings. 

Therefore, no browser-level settings are available in either of them. But with Firefox, that is different, and it does come with browser-level settings for proxies you can use at a system level. 

So, let’s further explore this matter, shall we!

Proxies for Firefox

Technically there are no special proxies that you can use for Firefox. This is because you can use all residential and data center proxies that can run on other browsers.

However, you need to be mindful of something, and that is the specific proxy that will work for different use cases. 

For instance, some proxies will work very well if you are looking for general boring. But the same won’t work if you use them for Twitch TV or Instagram. So, which proxies should you use on Firefox? 

Bright Data is the true leader in the proxy world, and it’s the preferable choice you should use on Firefox as well. But keep in mind these proxies are quite expensive. 

You can go for some alternatives like Smartproxy and Storm Proxies for a budget-friendly option for those residential proxies.

On the other hand, consider Squid Proxies, Buy Proxies, Your Private Proxy, and My Private Proxy for data center proxies.

You might notice that they are the same proxy services that you might already use with your other browsers.

Well, in reality, you don’t need any other proxy services to work with Firefox because you can use them all on this browser as well. 

There are no special proxies for Firefox, and you can see everything manually according to the steps that we are going to list in the following section.

Step by Step Guide for Firefox Proxy Setting 

In the following text, we will list down some necessary steps that you need to take to use Firefox while your IP address remains hidden. 

Step 1 – Launching the Browser

 Firefox menu

First, you need to launch your Firefox browser, click Open Menu, and then click Option. You need to do this on the popup menu that will make an appearance.

Step 2 – Go to The Setting 

Firefox Advanced

The next step is to click on Advanced and go to the Network tab. Under the Connection head, there will be a button labeled Settings. Click on that button. 

Step 3 – Proxy Configuration Form

Popup-Proxy-Setting

As soon as you click on Settings, a popup menu will appear, and this popup will provide you with a way to configure proxies on your Firefox browser. 

Step 4 – Go for Manual Proxy Configuration

Manual Proxy Configuration

Your Firefox browser comes with system proxy settings by default. However, if you want to configure your browser for browser-level proxies, you must choose Manual Proxy configuration.

Step 5 – Fill in The Form

You need to fill in the required information and click that OK button, and your proxies will be set for you to use. Then, you can use them to fulfill your goals and browse the internet as you would normally using your Firefox browser. 

Something to Keep in Mind

After going through all the above-listed steps, your connections will be routed via the proxy to which you have configured. But you need to keep in mind that if you are using private proxies, you will have to authenticate before using them. 

When you try to visit a URL, a popup will appear right away, and you will have to enter the username and password there. 

After that, you can continue using the internet as you would normally do. If you don’t want this popup to appear, you must whitelist your IP address for IP authentication. 

There might be a chance that the proxy server you have selected might not get configured on Firefox. For example, if your internet connection is down, you won’t set this browser configuration up. 

Moreover, make sure the details associated with the proxy server are correct. If they are incorrect, you will see an error message right away when accessing an internet website. 

In this situation, you will have to disable the proxy first or make adjustments to the proxy settings and start browning the web once again. 

If you try to access a website and an error message says The Proxy Server Refusing Connections, make sure to change your proxy settings. You can also run a check and see if there is any malware in your system. 

You can also clear the cache of your browser. If none of this works, you need to get in touch with your network administrator to check if the proxy server is still active or not. 

Setting Your Proxies Up with the Proxy Manager 

You can explore another option for setting up your proxies, and that option is to use a proxy manager. There are various proxy managers available on the market. These include the likes of Multilogin, Kameleo, GoLogin, and FoxyProxy. 

These are great because they allow you to turn your proxies on and off. But that’s not the only reason you should use a proxy manager. This tool is great for a secure browsing experience.

You will also be able to manage a much smoother web scraping process, and you will also notice that you are getting blocked rarely. 

Not this process is not that difficult as well. You can either set up a proxy manager for your convenience, or you can enter the password and username each time you visit a website.

You can also whitelist an IP, so you are prompted to enter a username or password again. 

Which option you should consider is entirely up to you. It’s all up to you what level of control you want over everything. Various other such tools can make your proxy life much easier and simpler to handle. 

Don’t Go for Those Free Proxies

You have to keep in mind that never go for those publicly available free-of-cost proxies because they will not work. Of course, they will work, but they are useless when it comes to reliability and security. 

Apart from that, they are being used by other users as well. They will be too darn slow, and you will feel pretty miserable while browsing the internet using these proxies.

A better option to go for is pair of residential or private proxies because they are fast, secure, and reliable. Anything shared or access will be a significant concern regarding security, reliability, and speed.

Another issue with free proxies is that your data is at risk because these publicly available proxies are more prone to fall prey to any prying eye on the internet. 

Therefore, don’t jeopardize your online security and go for only the paid proxies. There are various services that you can choose from according to your needs and requirements. 

Final Word

There you have it. Now you know configuring your Firefox using the proxies is not a tough job at all. However, based on the versions of the Firefox application you are using, these steps might slightly differ.

Different operating systems can vary these steps as well. But overall, the steps that we have mentioned are mostly similar. This is because there is not much difference in the settings on the browser application. 

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Written by Trevor Cooke

Trevor Cooke is an accomplished technology writer with a particular focus on privacy and security. He specializes in topics such as VPNs, encryption, and online anonymity. His articles have been published in a variety of respected technology publications, and he is known for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and accessible manner.