# How to use a proxy on PC or mobile correctly and for free? Does anyone know or can teach the community how? **URL:** \ **Category:** Discussion & Solutions\ **Tags:** solved\ **Created:** [February 17, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/how-to-use-a-proxy-on-pc-or-mobile-correctly-and-for-free-does-anyone-know-or-can-teach-the-community-how/318480 "2026-02-17T03:27:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tali](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/tali/32/166696_2.png) [@tali](https://onehack.st/u/tali)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/how-to-use-a-proxy-on-pc-or-mobile-correctly-and-for-free-does-anyone-know-or-can-teach-the-community-how/318480/1 "2026-02-17T03:27:25Z")
How to use a proxy on PC or mobile correctly and for free? Does anyone know or can teach the community how? ---
**Author:** ![Abd\_Shk](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/abd_shk/32/25814_2.png) [@Abd\_Shk](https://onehack.st/u/Abd_Shk)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 8:20am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/how-to-use-a-proxy-on-pc-or-mobile-correctly-and-for-free-does-anyone-know-or-can-teach-the-community-how/318480/2 "2026-02-17T08:20:26Z")
### Cloudflare WARP (PC + Mobile; it’s a free VPN, not a classic proxy) If you’re OK with a **VPN** instead of a manual proxy, Cloudflare’s **1.1.1.1 / WARP** app is simple and free for personal use: **Windows/macOS/Android/iOS** 1. Go to [https://1.1.1.1](https://1.1.1.1/) or search “1.1.1.1: Faster & Safer Internet” in your app store. 2. Install the app. 3. Open the app and tap the switch to connect. This routes most traffic through Cloudflare’s network. ---
**Author:** ![Fam](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/fam/32/154440_2.png) [@Fam](https://onehack.st/u/Fam)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2026, 5:24pm UTC](https://onehack.st/t/how-to-use-a-proxy-on-pc-or-mobile-correctly-and-for-free-does-anyone-know-or-can-teach-the-community-how/318480/3 "2026-03-16T17:24:40Z")
Here are simple ways to set it up: ### 🖥 On PC - **Web proxy (easiest):** Visit sites like _CroxyProxy_ or _ProxySite_, type the URL you want, and browse anonymously. - **Manual setup (Windows/Mac):** ### 📱 On Mobile - **Android:** Wi‑Fi settings → Modify network → Advanced options → enter proxy hostname and port. - **iOS:** Settings → Wi‑Fi → tap your network → Configure Proxy → Manual → enter details. ### ⚖ Free Proxy Options - **CroxyProxy** – works with YouTube/social media, but slower. - **[Hide.me](http://Hide.me)** – browser proxy with SSL encryption. - **VPNBook** – simple, free web proxy. - **ProxySite** – straightforward interface. ### ⚠ Things to Keep in Mind - Free proxies are often **slower** and may show ads. - Many don’t encrypt traffic, so avoid entering sensitive info (like banking passwords). - For better speed and security, a trusted VPN is safer. 👉 _Tip for the community:_ Use free proxies for light browsing or bypassing restrictions, but don’t rely on them for private or sensitive tasks. ---
**Author:** ![BlueHacker](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/bluehacker/32/174721_2.png) [@BlueHacker](https://onehack.st/u/BlueHacker)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/how-to-use-a-proxy-on-pc-or-mobile-correctly-and-for-free-does-anyone-know-or-can-teach-the-community-how/318480/4 "2026-04-04T11:46:10Z")
You asked how to use a proxy “correctly and for free” — and that word _correctly_ tells me you already sense what 99% of beginners miss: most free proxies are worse than using nothing at all. Here’s the honest answer nobody’s giving you: **skip proxies entirely.** What you actually want is a free VPN — and there’s exactly one that won’t sell your data, throttle you to death, or turn your phone into a criminal relay node. 🛡 **Right now** (30 seconds): open your phone, install [**Proton VPN**](https://protonvpn.com/free-vpn/download) — it’s free forever, unlimited data, no ads, Swiss no-logs policy, works on PC and mobile. One tap, done. 🔒 **Also right now** (15 seconds): in Chrome → Settings → Privacy → Security → turn on “Use secure DNS” → pick Cloudflare. That encrypts which websites you visit so your ISP can’t snoop — this alone fixes the #1 leak most people never know about. 📱 **This weekend** : on Android, go Settings → Network → Private DNS → type `one.one.one.one` → save. Now your entire phone’s DNS is encrypted, not just the browser. | You said | What actually works | Time | | --- | --- | --- | | “proxy on PC” | Proton VPN app on Windows — covers ALL apps, not just browser | 2 min install | | “proxy on mobile” | Proton VPN app on Android/iOS — one-tap connect | 2 min install | | “correctly” | Enable DNS encryption (Chrome + Android Private DNS) | 30 sec each | | “for free” | Proton VPN Free = unlimited + no ads + audited | $0 forever | Here’s the part nobody tells you — if you search “free proxy” on the Play Store, the top results are actual spyware. An academic study tested 640,000+ free proxies and found **only 34% even worked** , and 10% were injecting malware. The top free VPN app (SuperVPN, 100M+ downloads) leaked 360 million user records. Some free VPNs literally turn your phone into a relay for criminals — the FBI put out a warning about this in March 2026. Proton VPN is one of maybe three free options that’s genuinely safe. I use it on public wifi whenever I’m at a café or airport. > **🎯 Do Exactly This, In This Order (Full Setup Guide)** > > ## Step 0 — Understand What You’re Actually Doing > > Think of it like mailing a letter. Right now, your ISP (internet company) reads every envelope — they see who you’re writing to. A VPN puts your letter inside a second locked envelope and mails it through a private courier. Your ISP sees the courier, not the letter. A proxy only hides the return address but the postman can still read everything inside. > > > 💡 **Why VPN beats proxy for beginners:** A proxy only protects your browser. Discord, Spotify, games, app updates — all still use your real IP. A VPN wraps EVERYTHING your device sends. That’s why “correctly” = VPN, not proxy. > > * * * > > ## Step 1 — Install Proton VPN (PC + Mobile) > > **Windows/Mac:** > > 1. Go to [protonvpn.com/download](https://protonvpn.com/download) > 2. Download → install → create free account (just email) > 3. Open → click the big connect button → done > > **Android/iOS:** > > 1. Search “Proton VPN” in Play Store or App Store > 2. Install → open → sign up or use guest mode (no email needed on mobile!) > 3. Tap connect → you’re protected > > > 💡 **The speed trick nobody mentions:** Proton Free throttles you after ~1GB of heavy downloading. For normal browsing, you won’t notice. But if you’re streaming or downloading big files, expect slowdowns during evening hours (7-9 PM) when servers are packed. That’s the tradeoff for free. > > * * * > > ## Step 2 — Lock Down Your DNS (The 30-Second Privacy Upgrade) > > Even with a VPN, your device might leak which websites you visit through DNS requests. Fixing this takes seconds: > > **Chrome (any device):** > Settings → Privacy and Security → Security → “Use secure DNS” → ON → select Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) > > **Firefox:** > Already enabled by default if you’re in the US. Check: Settings → Privacy → DNS over HTTPS → “Max Protection” > > **Windows 11 (system-wide — protects everything, not just browser):** > Settings → Network & Internet → WiFi → your network → DNS → Edit → Manual → IPv4 ON → Preferred: `1.1.1.1` → Alternate: `1.0.0.1` → DNS over HTTPS: “On (Encrypted only)” → Save > > **Android:** > Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced → Private DNS → type `one.one.one.one` → Save > > > 💡 **Why this matters more than you think:** Without encrypted DNS, your internet provider sees every website you visit even if you’re using a VPN that leaks DNS. It’s like locking your front door but leaving the window wide open. > > * * * > > ## Step 3 — Disable WebRTC in Your Browser (Prevents IP Leaks) > > WebRTC is a browser feature for video calls. Problem: it can reveal your real IP even through a VPN. > > **Firefox:** Type `about:config` in address bar → search `media.peerconnection.enabled` → set to `false` > > **Chrome:** Install “WebRTC Network Limiter” extension from Google → set to “Use my proxy server (if present)” > > **Test yourself right now:** Visit [browserleaks.com/webrtc](https://browserleaks.com/webrtc) — if your real IP shows up while VPN is on, WebRTC is leaking. > > * * * > > ## What About Cloudflare WARP? > > WARP is free, one-click, and legit for encrypting your connection on public WiFi. But it **cannot** change your location — no country selection, no geo-unblocking, no Netflix from another region. Think of it as a WiFi security tool, not a VPN replacement. > > Good for: protecting yourself on coffee shop / airport / hotel WiFi > Not for: accessing blocked content or changing your virtual location > > * * * > > ## 🚫 What NOT to do > > - Never install free VPN apps from unknown developers on Play Store — 88% leak your data, 19% contain malware > - Never use “free proxy lists” from random websites — academic research proved they’re honeypots > - Never use Hola VPN — it turns your device into a relay node and sells your bandwidth > - Never trust a free VPN that asks for permissions it doesn’t need (camera, contacts, SMS) > - Never assume a system proxy protects all your apps — Steam, games, and Discord ignore it > > * * * > > ## Your Situation → What To Do > > | If you want… | Do this | Tool | > | --- | --- | --- | > | Basic privacy on PC + mobile | Install Proton VPN Free + enable DNS encryption | Free, 5 min total | > | Faster free VPN with 15GB/month cap | [Windscribe Free](https://windscribe.com/features/use-for-free) — 10 countries, unlimited devices | Free | > | WiFi security without location change | [Cloudflare WARP](https://1.1.1.1/) — one-click, unlimited | Free | > | Actually stream Netflix from other countries | Paid VPN ($2-5/month) — Proton Plus, Mullvad, Windscribe Pro | Paid | > | Maximum anonymity | Tor Browser — slow but untraceable | Free, advanced | You said you want to teach the community how — that’s the kind of energy this place runs on. What are you mainly trying to do with the proxy — access blocked websites, stay private on public WiFi, or something else? That’ll help narrow down the exact setup for your situation. 💪