4 Steps on How to Use Residential Proxy

When I first tried using a residential proxy, I thought it would be an easy way to access websites blocked in my area and manage multiple accounts.

But I quickly faced some problems—my internet connection kept cutting out, websites were loading slowly, and sometimes I couldn’t set up the proxy correctly at all.

It wasn’t as simple as I thought. Learning how to use a residential proxy meant —

figuring out how to set up the network,
choosing the right proxy server,
and making sure everything worked without losing my connection.

These setup problems can be annoying, but once you get the hang of it, a residential proxy can help solve common issues like IP blocks and limits on collecting data online.

Here, I’ll Cover the Below Things

Steps to sign up for proxy services.
How to set up a proxy with provided details like IP address and port number.
How to configure proxies in browsers or software.
How to test if the proxy is working.
How to use proxies from Oxylabs, Webshare, and Bright Data with step-by-step instructions.

How Residential Proxies Work in General

Setting up and using a residential proxy is important, and here’s how it works in simple steps.

Step 1: Installing the Proxy

First, you need to install the proxy. The exact steps depend on the service provider you’re using. Usually, it starts with logging into your account on the proxy provider’s website.

From there, you’ll find instructions on how to set it up. In some cases, it’s as easy as following a few clicks in the dashboard.

Step 2: Configuring the Proxy

Once the proxy is installed, the next thing to do is configure it. This step means entering some details like:

IP address: This is the new address you’ll be using instead of your own.
Port number: The “channel” your connection will go through.
Username and password: Some proxies require these for extra security.

These details are usually provided by the proxy service, and you need to input them into your browser or any software you’re using. This makes sure your connection will go through the proxy.

Step 3: Connecting to the Internet

After the setup, you’re ready to use the proxy to browse the internet. This means every time you go online, your traffic is being sent through the proxy server.

This server hides your real IP address and replaces it with a new one, which makes it harder for websites to track you or block your access.

Step 4: Testing the Proxy

Before using the proxy for any big tasks (like large-scale data scraping or managing multiple accounts), it’s a good idea to test it.

You can do this by visiting a website that’s normally blocked in your country or one where you’d usually be restricted.

If the website loads, that means your proxy is working correctly and hiding your real IP address.

Three Examples of How to Use a Residential Proxy

Now, I’ll share in detail how this works with some popular proxy services I personally used. These are Webshare, Bright Data and Oxylabs.

How to Use Webshare’s Residential Proxy

First, let me share the links where you’ll find how to set up a Webshare proxy on your —

Step 1: Sign Up for Webshare

Go to Webshare.
Find the Sign-Up button and click it.
Provide your email address, create a password, and complete any additional required information.
Check your email inbox for a verification link from Webshare. Click the link to verify your account.
After verifying, return to the Webshare site and log in with your new credentials.

Step 2: Access the Residential Proxy IPs

After signing up, you can access over 30 million different IP addresses through their Residential Proxy endpoint:

Why It’s Special:

Instead of just providing a simple IP address, Webshare uses a Backbone Connection. They give you a domain name (like "p.webshare.io"). Each time you connect, you get a different IP address from their vast pool, making it hard to trace your activity.

Step 3: Convert the Domain Name to an IP Address (Optional

If you prefer to use a standard IP address instead of the domain name, you can easily convert it:

Go to your Proxy List on the Webshare dashboard.

Go to your Proxy List on the Webshare dashboard

Find the domain name (like "p.webshare.io").
Next to the domain name, you’ll see a convert symbol.

Next to the domain name, you’ll see a convert symbol.

Click it, and Webshare will give you an actual IP address to use instead.

Step 4: Select Proxies from Specific Countries

If you want to use proxies from a specific country (like the USA or UK), Webshare makes it simple:

In the username field, type the country code for the desired country.

For the USA, type "US".
For the UK, type "GB".

To find the country codes for each proxy, filter the Proxy List by country. The country codes will show up in the username field for you to copy.

How to Use Oxylabs’ Residential Proxy

Follow the below steps to perfectly use Oxylabs’ residential proxy.

Step 1: Create Your Oxylabs Account

Go to the Oxylabs website and find the dashboard.
Click on the option to register and fill in your details to create your account.
Select a plan that suits your needs. If you’re not ready to buy yet, you can contact their support team to get free trial proxies.

Step 2: Set Up Your Proxy User

Once you have an account, you need to create a proxy user. This is like setting up a profile for your proxy use.
Give your proxy user a name that you’ll remember.
Choose a secure password for your proxy user.

Step 3: Make Your First Request

After creating your proxy user, you’ll receive a cURL example. This is a command you can run in your terminal (a program where you can type commands).

Here’s an example command you’ll use:

Replace USERNAME and PASSWORD: Substitute these with your actual username and password.
Run the Command: Copy the modified command into your terminal and press Enter. This will give you your Residential IP address.

If you want, there’s usually a video available that shows you how to make a basic cURL request step-by-step.

Step 4: Set Location Settings

Choose Your Targeting Options: You can set up your proxy to target specific locations like:

Continent
Country
State
City
Zip Code
ASN (Autonomous System Number)

Example Command with Location: If you want to specify a country and city, you can use this format:

Here, cc-GB means you’re targeting the UK, and city-london means you want a proxy located in London.

Step 5: Control Your Sessions

Keep the Same Proxy for Multiple Requests: If you want to use the same proxy for several requests, you can add a session ID to your username.

Example command:

In this command, sessid-randomString123 is your session ID.

Default Session Time: The default session time is 10 minutes, but you can extend it to 30 minutes using the sesstime parameter.

Check Oxylabs’s documentation for a complete list of parameters you can use and how to implement them.

**Always remember to replace USERNAME and PASSWORD in the cURL examples with your actual credentials. Oxylabs's Residential Proxies automatically rotate IP addresses, meaning each request can give you a different IP address.

Why Use the Endpoint Generator and How It Works for Oxylabs Residential Proxy

The Endpoint Generator makes using proxies much easier and faster. Instead of doing everything manually, like finding the right proxy or setting it up.

This tool helps you create customized endpoints (which are basically the links you need to access different proxy servers) based on what you need.

How to Use the Endpoint Generator for Oxylabs Residential Proxy

Using the Endpoint Generator is simple. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Open the Endpoint Generator:

Go to the tool in your Oxylabs dashboard.

Pick Your Settings:

Region: Select the area you want your proxy to be based in (e.g., Europe, Asia, etc.).
Output Format: Choose how you want your proxies to be formatted (port, HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5).
Authentication: Decide how you’ll log in. You can either:

Use a username and password.
Use whitelisted IPs, which means you won’t need to log in every time.

Endpoint Type: Choose between:

Backconnect: Automatically switches IPs for better anonymity.
Country Entry: Uses a proxy based in a specific country.

Location Settings: Pick a specific country if needed, or let the system choose a random location.

Session Type:

Sticky Session: Keeps the same IP for up to 30 minutes.
Rotating Session: Gets a new IP address with every new request.

Export Your Endpoints: Once everything is set up, you can choose how many endpoints you need and export them in the format you like—such as CSV, JSON, or TXT.

How to Use Bright Data’s Residential Proxy

Using Bright Data’s Residential Proxy is a simple and easy process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Sign Up or Sign In

If you’re new to Bright Data, sign up for a free account and add your payment details to get a $5 credit. If you’re already a user, just sign in.

2. Create a Proxy Zone

Once logged in:

Go to the My Zones section.
Under Residential Proxies, click Get Started.
If you already have a proxy, you can click Add at the top right.

3. Name Your Proxy

Give your new Residential Proxy a name. Make sure the name is meaningful because you won’t be able to change it later.

4. Verify Your Account

Before using the proxy, you’ll need to verify your account by adding a payment method. Don’t worry—this is only for verification, and no charges will be made at this stage. You’ll also get a $5 bonus credit if it’s your first time.

5. Configure Your Proxy Settings

Now, it’s time to configure your proxy:

IP Type: Choose between Shared (cost-efficient with rotating IPs) or Dedicated (exclusive IP just for you).

Geolocation Targeting: Select specific locations (city, state, or country) you want to target with your proxy.

Domains (for Dedicated IPs): You can specify the domains you want to use the proxy for. These domains will be exclusively accessed via your proxy.

6. Optional Features

Bright Data offers extra features like:

Cache Proxy: This feature improves performance and reduces unnecessary load on websites by caching successful requests. To enable, toggle the Cache Proxy switch. You can choose to install a certificate for the Cache Proxy or proceed without it.

JavaScript Rendering with Hosted Browsers: Enable this to run proxy requests through Bright Data's hosted browsers (which can be useful for scraping dynamic content).

JavaScript Rendering with Hosted Browsers

Automated Unlocking: Bright Data will automatically manage your IPs and requests to increase success rates.

Ports: By default, certain ports are open (e.g., 80, 443, 8080). If you need additional ports, you can request them by clicking Add ports.

**Note: The Long-session peers feature has been deprecated and is no longer available.

7. Complete KYC Verification (Optional but Recommended)

To unlock full access to Bright Data’s Residential Proxy network, you may need to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.

This is a process where you provide additional details about how you plan to use the proxy, which helps Bright Data ensure compliance with ethical guidelines.

KYC is especially required if you choose not to install SSL certificates.
Click Start KYC Verification from the settings page, and follow the steps.

8. Send Your First Proxy Request

Once your proxy is set up, you’ll need your proxy credentials (username, password, and hostname). You can find these in the Access Parameters or Overview tab of your Residential Proxy settings.

Here’s how you can send your first proxy request using cURL (or any other language you prefer):

curl "http://lumtest.com/myip.json" --proxy brd.superproxy.io:22225 --proxy-user brd-customer-<customer_id>-zone-<zone_name>:<zone_password>

This command sends a request to a website to check your current IP address and its location.
Replace http://lumtest.com/myip.json with the website you want to access through the proxy.
You can also use other programming languages like Node.js, Python, PHP, Java, etc. Bright Data provides code examples for each.

Additional Features

robots.txt Compliance: Bright Data respects the rules of robots.txt files (which govern how websites allow access by automated tools).
If a site blocks access in its robots.txt, Bright Data’s system will either redirect or block the request depending on the network type and KYC status.
SSL Certificates: If you opt out of KYC, you’ll need to install SSL certificates to use Bright Data’s Residential Proxy network. You can find the option to install certificates in the settings.

Important Things to Remember When Using Residential Proxies

Always follow the below things when you’re going to use residential proxies.

Always respect the rules of the websites you're visiting. Don’t do anything illegal or harmful.
Don’t use proxies to send spam emails or messages. It’s unethical and often illegal.
Treat others with respect and avoid activities that could harm people or mess with services.
Some websites can detect when you're using a proxy and might block or limit your access.
If you want to stay hidden, choose a reliable proxy service that’s harder to detect.
Free proxies may not be safe. They could leak your personal info or infect your device with viruses.
Free proxies are often slow, disconnect frequently, and may not work well.
If privacy and reliability are important, it’s usually worth paying for a good proxy service.
Use strong, unique passwords to keep your proxy accounts secure.
Only share your proxy details with people you fully trust.
Monitor how you use your proxy to avoid breaking any rules or exceeding limits.
If something isn’t working right, change your settings or try another proxy service.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, I can assume that you now have a pretty good idea of how to use a residential proxy. You’ve already seen that each residential proxy comes with different settings and options, so it's important to pick the setup that works best for you.

You can customize things like geolocation targeting, shared or dedicated IPs, or even use advanced features like cache proxy.

Just make sure to verify your account, follow the steps, and adjust the settings to match your needs for safe and effective proxy use.

Besides, you can check out these blogs to learn about how to set up a proxy on your Android phone or iPhone.

FAQs

Should I use a proxy server at home?

Using a proxy at home depends on what you need. If you care about privacy or want to access content from different countries, a proxy can be useful. But if you're not worried about those things and your internet works well, you might not need a proxy.

How to use proxy IP?

Click the Start button, then go to Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. Under "Manual proxy setup," turn on "Use a proxy server." Next, type the proxy server's name or IP address in the Address box and the port number (if needed) in the Port box.

Can I use a residential proxy with multiple devices?

Yes, you can use a residential proxy with multiple devices. However, some providers may limit the number of devices that can use a single proxy.

What are some best practices for using residential proxies?

When using residential proxies, pick a trusted provider with good reviews and always ensure your connection is secure by using a VPN or HTTPS. Avoid using proxies for anything illegal to prevent legal trouble. Also, regularly check your usage to stay within any limits.

About the Author

Jayden Sprent is a distinguished expert in Cybersecurity, Proxies, and Web Scraping. He graduated from California University with a strong foundation in Cybersecurity. With extensive experience and a deep understanding of digital security, Jayden is dedicated to protecting online environments and optimizing web data extraction. His expertise in proxies ensures efficient and secure internet connections, while his proficiency in web scraping enables valuable data acquisition. Jayden's commitment to excellence and personalized approach has made him a trusted professional in the field.

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