Proxy servers get a lot of use nowadays for plenty of reasons. Two of the most common ones are privacy and security. When you access the internet with a proxy, you are doing so while masking your identity online. This easy-to-follow protection method goes a long way in securing your personal info over the net. Proxies work as an intermediary between your local network and the internet, facilitating your access to websites and services with an extra layer of protection.
Apple’s macOS operating system has a fair share of the market when stacked against Windows and Linux, so it’s only natural its users would want to adopt safety measures when navigating online. Apple’s operating system enjoys plenty of acceptance among computer users worldwide thanks to its intuitiveness and many advantages on the multimedia side. Suffice it to say, macOS users have plenty of reasons to stick with Apple’s products.
In this short article, we will learn a bit more about this operative system and what we can do to protect our privacy online while using proxies. This topic is not something you’d want to miss.
Learning More About macOS
Apple is the company in charge of developing and marketing macOS. It first appeared in 2001 as a successor of the much-renowned classic Macintosh operating system. It is a Unix operating system with a proprietary source model that also uses open-source components. Compared with other popular operating systems like Windows and Linux, macOS is the second most widely used operating system on desktop computers.
One thing that sets Apple’s product apart from other operating systems is its brand identity, with the company frequently code-naming successive versions of its OS after species of big cats or places in California. Apple is a top-tier manufacturer that offers high-quality hardware and software. Exclusivity is often a perk associated with their products. Apple’s software is not always accessible to others, requiring a computer of the same brand to get the best out of it.
One significant advantage of macOS is its ease of use. It may not have as much personalization as Windows or offer the same freedom as Linux. Still, its software is exceptionally powerful, easy to operate and comprehend, intuitively designed, and has outstanding support. In the creative world of graphic designers, animators, video editors, and the like, it’s the go-to choice.
Protecting Your Privacy With the Use of Proxies
Proxy servers are invaluable tools for bypassing geo-blockades, protecting your personal information, or appearing as someone else by masking your IP. If you set a proxy server on your macOS device, web browsing applications like Safari and scripts will use it. If an app has its own proxy settings, it will override the primary proxy server set up on your computer.
Since a proxy sits between you and the internet, it acts as a middleman between your browser, applications, websites, and software-as-a-service platforms you use. With the correct settings, a proxy can make your online experience more private, secure, and faster, thanks to caching technology.
Configuring a Proxy on macOS
Here’s how you can configure a proxy on your macOS device. Ultimately, the exact settings will depend on your needs and the level of permission on the system. The Auto Proxy Discovery function can help you detect and automatically configure a proxy. Below, you’ll find the steps to manually set a proxy server on your macOS device.
- Click the Apple icon on the screen’s upper left corner.
- Once the menu opens, select System Preferences.
- In the new window, choose Network.
- Once you are in the Network section, at the bottom-right corner of the window, you’ll see an option that says Advanced. Click on it.
- You’ll want to select the Proxies tab in the Advanced window.
- Now, on your left side, you’ll choose the type of proxy you want to create. You can use Auto Proxy Discovery here for the system to search and configure everything automatically. In this case, you’ll create a simple web proxy (HTTP).
- In the text box, write the address of your web proxy server.
- Then add the port number in the text box next to it.
- If the proxy has a username and a password, tick the checkbox. Then, write the credentials in the text boxes below.
- Finally, click OK to confirm the settings.
Conclusion
It’s easy to see why macOS users stick to their favorite OS. Its convenience and optimized features are pretty sweet deals. Whichever operating system you’re on, configuring a proxy server is paramount in today’s digital age to remain protected online and bypass geo-blockades. The process mentioned in this article should help immensely when setting one on your macOS device. Ideally, you’ll want a private residential proxy from a provider with a big amount of proxies. Be sure to check out more choices at BestProxyFinder to find the best one for your needs!