When things come for free, our instinct is to doubt their quality. And that’s a valid thought, considering the number of times we’ve faced disappointment. Does that apply to free proxy lists, though? Not if you source them from the right places. Pay attention to these tips.

Selecting a Winning Free Proxy

Proxies sit between your device and the internet. They hide your actual IP address to detract malicious actors from identifying your location, activity, and what you’re doing on the web. Consider proxies as a shield that protects you from the ever-growing list of digital threats today.

So, say you’ve come across a free proxy list. (Ideally, you’ve sourced this from a reputable provider, one that has a staunch focus on security and data privacy, such as IPRoyal.) What now?

Check if the Proxy Supports HTTPS

A good proxy list will list all IPs and whether they support HTTPS or not. This feature is a must. Without it, hackers can easily intercept your data. You don’t want to put your information at risk, especially when it pertains to banking, passwords, and personal details.

Determine Speed and Delay

The problem with free proxies is that they usually don’t operate as well as paid ones. This issue is something you have to accept. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t conduct tests beforehand. Perform a Ping test to check response times. Low latency (below 100ms) is what you’re looking for. Anything higher, and you’ll suffer, whether you’re streaming, gaming, or browsing.

Pick an Appropriate Location

Let’s say you’re in the UK. You want to access content that’s only available in the US. That may be a Netflix show or regional e-commerce prices. In that case, you must use a proxy located in the US. This proxy, aside from helping you unlock content, will also improve connection speed if it’s closer to the website’s server.

Go for the Highest-Level of Anonymity Possible

Free proxies aren’t famous for providing anonymity. To be 100% sure of privacy, you need to go for elite proxies (which don’t come for free). As a rule, only use free proxies for general browsing purposes. When it comes to sending sensitive information over the web, don’t skimp on paid proxies.

Test for Reliability

A good free proxy doesn’t break down and works consistently, day or night. However, that does not come as a guarantee. A list might provide detailed information on uptime levels, so pay attention. Another way to increase reliability is to rotate among a few known good ones. This move will reduce interruptions.

Avoid Bad Actors

As mentioned earlier, it’s wise to be wary of anything free. If you don’t want to pay for a proxy, that’s fine. However, don’t expose yourself to hackers or activity trackers. To avoid compromised proxies, identify their source. You’ll typically find proxy lists on providers’ websites. Before connecting to an IP, seek out trusted reviews and testimonials. A proxy checker is also useful.

Identify Bandwidth Limitations

Bandwidth limits exist, notably for free proxies. They’re there to stop any single user from hogging the connection. Despite that, they may hinder your online activities. Read the terms and conditions of your free proxy provider to plan ahead. To overcome the issue of limits, rotate your IPs.

Determine Proxy Compatibility

Your chosen proxy, in an ideal situation, would work regardless of your device. Browser extensions and apps should be easily configurable to incorporate your proxy. Additionally, verify whether it works on various operating systems.

Check for Ease of Use

A good proxy is easy to set up and use. Crucial for beginners but equally as important for expert users, a dashboard that helps you manage proxies simplifies things significantly. The instructions on the provider’s site should be easy to understand and execute.

Choose Between Rotating and Static Proxies

Do you need a consistent IP or one that changes with each request? That depends on the task at hand. For increased anonymity and web scraping activities, go for rotating proxies. On the other hand, a static IP will serve for accessing geo-blocked sites.

A Free Proxy: Not a Last Resort After All

We maintain that free proxies aren’t necessarily worthless. They’re valuable for those who need to perform quick transactions and aren’t as concerned with anonymity. However, one thing remains, and that’s the need to source your free proxies from reliable providers. To reduce the risks associated with these free IPs, perform Ping tests and adopt rotation strategies. A deeper dive into the internet awaits.