How to Check for a Transparent Proxy

Transparent proxies are easy to detect because they add additional fields to the http headers your Web browser transmits whenever you access a website. By using a proxy detection tool or a website that displays your http headers without modification, you can detect if you are behind an anonymous proxy based upon where tags have been added that say either http_via, http_x_forwarded or http_proxy_connection. While some high-level proxies can be set up to not transmit these headers, most all transparent proxies do.

• 1

  Launch a new Web browser window or tab and navigate to a site that either displays your http headers or detects proxies (see Resources).

• 2

  Scroll through your header and look for any variables that contain "via," "proxy" or "forwarded." These are sure indications of a transparent proxy.

• 3

  Check to confirm your actual IP address is the same as the IP address received by the server. This is also listed in your header and is a good sign as to whether or not your connection passed through a transparent proxy.