In a network environment, a proxy server can help users hide their real IP addresses, increase access speed, and implement functions such as access control. If you want to set your PC as an IP proxy server so that other devices can access the Internet through it, this article will provide you with detailed steps and practical tips.

1. What is an IP proxy server?

An IP proxy server is an intermediary server that forwards requests between a client and a target server. When a user accesses the Internet through a proxy server, the target server can only see the IP address of the proxy server and cannot obtain the user's real IP. This method is often used for:

- Privacy protection: Hide the real IP address and protect the user's Internet behavior.

- Bypassing geographical restrictions: Access restricted websites and content.

- Increase access speed: Increase the speed of web page loading through caching and optimization.

2. Why choose to set PC as a proxy server?

Reasons for setting PC as a proxy server include:

- Low cost: Use existing PCs without purchasing additional hardware.

- Flexibility: Different proxy types and settings can be configured as needed.

- Control: Fully master the configuration and management of the proxy server.

3. Steps to set up a PC as an IP proxy server

3.1 Preparation

Before you start, make sure your PC meets the following conditions:

- Stable network connection: Make sure the PC is connected to the Internet and the network is stable.

- Operating system: This article uses Windows and Linux as examples to introduce the setting methods of different systems.

3.2 Setting up a proxy server on Windows

3.2.1 Installing proxy software

1. Select proxy software: You can choose proxy software such as PYProxy, WinGate or Squid. Here we take PYProxy as an example.

2. Download and install: Visit the PYProxy official website, download and install the software.

3.2.2 Configure the proxy server

1. Start PYProxy: After the installation is complete, start PYProxy.

2. Set the port: By default, the HTTP port is 8080. You can modify it as needed.

3. Add users: In the "Users" tab, you can add users who are allowed to use the proxy.

4. Configure access control: In the "Permissions" tab, you can set which IP addresses can access through the proxy.

3.2.3 Start the proxy service

1. Click "Start": In the PYProxy interface, click the "Start" button to start the proxy service.

2. Check status: Make sure the proxy server status is displayed as "Running".

3.3 Setting up a proxy server on Linux

3.3.1 Installing Squid

1. Update packages: Open a terminal and run the following command:

```bash

sudo apt update

```

2. Install Squid: Run the following command to install Squid:

```bash

sudo apt install squid

```

3.3.2 Configuring Squid

1. Edit the configuration file: Open the Squid configuration file using a text editor:

```bash

sudo nano /etc/squid/squid.conf

```

2. Set the listening port: Make sure the following line exists (the default port is 3128):

```bash

http_port 3128

```

3. Configure access control: Add the IP addresses allowed to access. For example, allow all devices in the LAN to access:

```bash

acl localnet src 192.168.1.0/24 # Replace with your LAN IP segment

http_access allow localnet

```

4. Save and exit: Save the file and exit the editor.

3.3.3 Start Squid

1. Start the Squid service: Run the following command to start Squid:

```bash

sudo systemctl start squid

```

2. Set to start automatically at boot:

```bash

sudo systemctl enable squid

```

4. Configure the client to use a proxy server

4.1 Configure on Windows

1. Open network settings: Right-click the network icon and select "Network and Internet Settings".

2. Enter proxy settings: Select "Proxy" in the left menu.

3. Manual proxy settings: In "Manual proxy settings", enable "Use proxy server" and enter your PC's IP address and port number (such as 8080).

4. Save settings: Click "Save" to apply the changes.

4.2 Configuration on Linux

1. Open network settings: Find the "Network" option in system settings.

2. Select proxy: Select the "Proxy" option in network settings.

3. Manual configuration: Enter your PC's IP address and port number (such as 3128).

4. Save settings: Apply changes and save.

5. Test proxy server

1. Open browser: Open a browser on the client device.

2. Visit website: Try to visit a website and check if it can load normally.

3. Check IP address: Visit a website such as "whatismyip.com" and confirm that the displayed IP address is your proxy server IP.

6. Common Problems and Solutions

6.1 Unable to connect to the proxy server

- Check network connection: Make sure both the PC and the client device are connected to the network.

- Firewall settings: Check the firewall settings to make sure the proxy software is allowed to pass.

6.2 Slow speed

- Check bandwidth: Make sure your network bandwidth is sufficient.

- Optimize configuration: Check and optimize cache and connection settings in the proxy software.

Setting your PC as an IP proxy server can provide you and other devices with a better network access experience. With the above steps, you can easily configure your own proxy server and enjoy the benefits of privacy protection and access control. I hope this article can help you complete the setup smoothly and improve network usage efficiency.