Safe alternative to free proxy server lists and web browsers

Unlike free web proxies, VPN extension protects your traffic with strong encryption.

Bypass online restrictions with a web proxy or VPN

There are several reasons why you may have trouble accessing websites and online services. Media content is often unavailable in certain countries or regions, while many educational institutions completely block users’ access to social media networks, streaming, or P2P sharing platforms.

All you need to know about web proxies

Remove the shackles from your connection

By default, your internet access is limited by your IP address, which is tied to your location. By replacing your IP address with that of your web proxy or VPN server, you can experience the internet free from interference.

Proxy sites provide safe access to the web

What is a proxy site?

Proxy sites or proxy servers act as a buffer between you and the internet. When you try to access something on the web, your request goes through the proxy site first, changing your IP address (and thus your virtual location) in the process. Since your IP address determines what content is available to you, an online proxy can greatly expand your options.

A woman browse online on an encrypted connection

Are proxy sites safe?

Online proxies are a proven day-to-day tool. Free proxy servers? Not so much. Many free proxy sites are riddled with spyware and malicious advertisements. Since they have access to your online traffic, some unscrupulous free web proxies collect and sell your data. And even the best online proxies are not a security tool — they don’t protect your online traffic with encryption.

Don’t risk using free proxy lists. There’s a safer alternative.

Free proxies may help you bypass censorship filters and access blocked websites. But using web proxy browsers or replacing your IP with addresses from free proxy lists may put your privacy at risk.

NordVPN does everything proxy websites do — and much, much more. By protecting your data traffic with impregnable AES-256 encryption and shielding your IP address, NordVPN lets you expand your online world safely and privately. And with our advanced VPN infrastructure, you can enjoy your newfound freedom without slowing down your connection.

Everything web proxies can do, with security on top

The lightweight NordVPN extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge allows you access all the content you want without limiting your bandwidth, while at the same time securing your communications with access all the content you want.

Frequently asked questions

Why do people use proxies?

Proxies are easy to set up and use, so some Internet users, especially from highly censored countries, choose free web proxies to access Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, eBay, LinkedIn, and other websites that are unavailable in their region.

Proxies work on any device connected to the Internet and are compatible with all major operating systems – Windows, iOS, macOS, Android, and Linux.

What is a free proxy list?

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, and other web browsers support Internet access via web proxies. There are many websites that claim to offer free web proxy IP addresses, which you can use to replace your actual IP.

However, we cannot guarantee the safety or effectiveness of free proxy servers for protecting your identity and security online. Therefore, it is always better to get a reliable VPN service, which not only protects your IP address but also encrypts all the data that is sent and received.

What is a web proxy server and what does it do?

A web proxy server, also known as a proxy or application-level gateway, is a computer that sits between your device and the internet and handles your requests for accessing websites and services. When you are browsing with a proxy, your internet traffic is routed through that server, making it look as if it came from the server’s IP address rather than yours. This setup allows you to access websites and services that may be restricted in your country. However, most sites today use complex blocking techniques, and simple web proxies can’t bypass them.

Why shouldn’t you use free proxy services?

The main concern of using web proxies is that they don’t offer any data protection. Even though browsing with a proxy makes it more difficult for snoopers to obtain your IP address, it still leaves your data vulnerable to hacking, because these services don’t encrypt your internet traffic. What’s more, free proxy services are also known for injecting spyware or advertisement into websites.

Another problem is that proxies can cache web pages. Every time you request an URL from outside, a copy is stored locally. The next time you try to access the same URL, the proxy can supply the local copy instead of reloading the original across the network. It may improve page performance but also leave you with out-of-date results, which may be a problem if you depend on having the latest information and data.

Why is VPN a better choice?

VPN encrypts your internet traffic, while a web proxy doesn’t. NordVPN is like your private tunnel in the “internet jungle.” All the data traveling via this tunnel is protected with the strongest encryption protocols available, making it extremely difficult for hackers to intercept or decipher.

Unlike web proxies, VPN secures not only your browser but also the traffic of all your applications that use the internet connection. What’s more, with a single NordVPN account you can secure your whole network, including your computer, mobile phone, tablet, and even smart TV.

If you care about your privacy and security, we strongly recommend getting an encrypted VPN proxy extension instead of risking it with free proxy services. Read our What is a VPN primer to learn how a VPN can safely expand your online world.

How do I use a VPN and proxies together?

While VPNs and proxy servers aren’t quite the same, you don’t really need to run them both to enjoy privacy and security online. In most cases, all it does is obscure your IP from your VPN service provider while slowing down your connection.

In fact, the easiest way to run a VPN alongside proxy servers is by using split tunneling. By excluding an app from VPN encryption, you can then tweak its proxy settings manually.

NordVPN also offers browser proxy extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, letting you enjoy expanded content access while protected by advanced encryption.

Does proxy slow down your internet connection?

Since a web proxy is a free service, lots of Internet users tend to use it, putting a heavy load on the server, which may result in a slow connection. Therefore, if you wish to securely access restricted websites and streaming services without sacrificing your connection speeds, you will need a reliable VPN service. NordVPN allows choosing from 5500+ ultra fast servers worldwide, so you can enjoy any content you want with no interruptions, cyber threats or data leakage.

Internet users are also concerned about the bandwidth limits that many free services tend to impose. NordVPN does not limit, monitor or block connection speeds in any way, shape or form, so you can download as much data as you like.

What are other options for protecting my IP address?

NordVPN's encrypted extension for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge is a powerful combination of a proxy and VPN. When enabled, the extension encrypts your connection and changes your IP address, protecting your browsing from any third-party snooping and allowing you to securely access your favorite websites even if they are not protected by HTTPS. On top of that, it will block intrusive ads and malware-hosting sites.

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Encrypt your traffic twice to create an extra layer of online privacy.

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