In this article: You will learn everything about proxy server authentication methods, how to correctly set up login and password, what formats are used, how to ensure credential security, and troubleshoot common issues. The material is based on current data with a search frequency of approximately 9,200 per month.
📑 Table of Contents
- What is Proxy Authentication
- Authentication Types: Basic Auth vs IP Whitelist
- Proxy Formats with Authentication
- Setup in Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
- Setup in Applications and OS
- Proxy Password Security
- Credential Storage
- Error 407: Proxy Authentication Required
- IP Whitelist vs. Login/Password
- Two-Factor Authentication for Proxies
- Security Best Practices 2025
🔐 What is Proxy Authentication
Proxy authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity before granting access to a proxy server. It is a protection mechanism that ensures only authorized users can utilize the proxy.
Why Authentication is Necessary
✅ Key Reasons:
- Protection against unauthorized access — only paying users can use the service
- Usage control — tracking traffic for each user
- Abuse prevention — protection against spam, DDoS, and illegal content
- Billing and payment — accounting for consumed traffic for invoicing
- Access management — ability to restrict functionality for different users
- Legal compliance — regulatory requirements for access control
🔑 Authentication Types: Basic Auth vs IP Whitelist
🔒 Basic Authentication (Username:Password)
How it works: Credentials are sent in the Proxy-Authorization header with every request.
✅ Advantages:
- One username/password pair for all devices
- Widely supported by HTTP clients
- Works with dynamic IPs (changing IP is not an issue)
- Easy user management
❌ Disadvantages:
- Data is encoded, but NOT encrypted (visible in plain text without HTTPS)
- Lower security level than IP authentication
- Requires entering login/password or configuring it in every application
🌐 IP Authentication (IP Whitelist)
How it works: The device's IP address is added to an allowed list, after which the proxy grants access without a password.
✅ Advantages:
- Maximum security — only your IP can use the proxy
- No need to enter a password upon connection
- Ideal for HTTPS requests in browsers and Selenium
- Solves issues with the Proxy-Authentication header
- Simpler setup in browsers (IP:port only)
❌ Disadvantages:
- Only works with static IP addresses
- Requires configuration changes when the IP changes
- Not suitable for mobile users with dynamic IPs
- You need to know your external IP
Comparison Table
| Criterion | IP Whitelist | Login/Password |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ✅ High (IP only) | ⚠️ Medium (Encoding, not encryption) |
| Convenience | ✅ Set and forget | ⚠️ Requires entry upon connection |
| Mobility | ❌ Poor (Static IP required) | ✅ Excellent (Works everywhere) |
| Setup | Add IP to whitelist | Enter in browser settings |
| For Dynamic IPs | ❌ Not suitable | ✅ Ideal |
| For Corporate Networks | ✅ Ideal | ✅ Good choice |
| For Mobile Use | ❌ Poor | ✅ Good |
📝 Proxy Formats with Authentication
There are several standard formats for writing proxies with credentials. It is important to know the correct format for your application or tool.
Standard Formats
1. URL Format (Most Common)
http://username:password@proxy.example.com:8080
https://username:password@192.168.1.1:3128
socks5://user:pass@proxy.host:1080
✅ Used in: Python requests, curl, wget, most HTTP clients
2. Colon Format
192.168.1.1:8080:username:password
IP:port:login:password
✅ Used in: Some scrapers, automation scripts
3. IP:Port Only (For IP Whitelist)
192.168.1.1:8080
proxy.example.com:3128
✅ Used when: Your IP is added to the whitelist, no password required
4. Format with @
user:pass@192.168.1.1:8080
✅ Used in: Browser extensions, some VPN clients
Usage Examples in Code
Python (requests)
import requests
proxies = {
"http": "http://username:password@192.168.1.1:8080",
"https": "https://username:password@192.168.1.1:8080"
}
response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)
Linux/Mac (curl)
curl -x http://username:password@proxy:8080 https://example.com
Windows (Environment Variables)
set http_proxy=http://user:password@proxy:8080
set https_proxy=https://user:password@proxy:8080
Node.js
const HttpsProxyAgent = require('https-proxy-agent');
const proxy = 'http://username:password@proxy:8080';
const agent = new HttpsProxyAgent(proxy);
fetch('https://example.com', { agent });
⚠️ Important: Special characters in the password (e.g., @, :, /) must be URL-encoded. For example:
• Password my@pass → my%40pass
• Password pass:word → pass%3Aword
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🌐 Setup in Browsers
Chrome / Edge
- Settings → System → Open proxy settings
- Enable "Use a proxy server"
- Enter IP and port
- Windows will prompt for login/password upon connection
- The browser will save the credentials
Firefox
- Settings → Network → Settings
- Manual proxy configuration
- Enter IP and port
- Check "Proxy server requires a password"
- Enter login and password
⚠️ Error 407: Proxy Authentication Required
Main Causes:
- Incorrect credentials — error in username or password
- Missing authentication — proxy requires credentials, but they are not being sent
- Cache issues — improperly saved cookies
- IP address change — in case of IP authentication, the IP has changed
How to Fix (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Verify Credentials
✅ Ensure the username and password are correct
✅ Check for leading/trailing spaces
✅ Verify keyboard layout
Step 2: Clear Browser Data
Settings → Clear data (cookies, cache, passwords)
Restart the browser
Step 3: Check IP (for IP Authentication)
Visit whatismyip.com and confirm your IP is added to the whitelist
🔒 Proxy Password Security
Best Practices
✅ WHAT TO DO
- Use password managers
- Store in environment variables
- Use .env files with .gitignore
- Change passwords regularly
❌ WHAT NOT TO DO
- Store in plain text in code
- Pass through logs
- Use identical passwords
- Leave in command history
🎯 Recommendations and Conclusions
📝 Final Takeaways
1️⃣ Choosing the Authentication Method
IP Whitelist: For static IPs and corporate networks
Login/Password: For dynamic IPs and mobile devices
2️⃣ Security Above All
Always use HTTPS proxies for transmitting sensitive data. Store passwords in password managers, not in plain text.
3️⃣ ProxyCove — Your Reliable Choice
Flexible authentication methods, 24/7 technical support, simple setup in 2 minutes. Starting from $1.5/GB.
🏆 ProxyCove Advantages
Both Methods
IP and Login/Password
Fast
Setup in 2 minutes
24/7 Support
In Russian language
From $1.5/GB
Affordable prices
Start working with ProxyCove today!
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