How To Set up a SOCKS Proxy Using Putty & SSH

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DATE: Dec. 14, 2021, 11:47 a.m.

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  1. How To Set up a SOCKS Proxy Using Putty & SSH
  2. If you ever find yourself in front of a public computer connected to the Internet and
  3. are concerned about the security of the path between you and a website you wish to
  4. visit, a SOCKS proxy can come in handy.
  5. SOCKS proxies generally allow you to “bounce” a TCP connection off another server
  6. transparently– basically instructing another computer to make a connection on your
  7. behalf. When used in combination with Secure Shell (SSH), it can form an encrypted
  8. tunnel that insulates you from anyone attempting to grab traffic off the wire.
  9. The following is a simple step-by-step tutorial about how to do this.
  10. You will need:
  11. -Putty SSH client: http://www.putty.org
  12. -An account on an Internet-accessible server that accepts SSH connections and allows
  13. connection forwarding (enabled by default)
  14. -A popular web browser or other software that supports SOCKS communications
  15. Step 1:
  16. Fire up Putty and navigate to the Session Category
  17. Step 2:
  18. Enter the hostname/IP address and port of the server on which you have an account.
  19. (Note: The default SSH port is 22)
  20. This tells Putty how to connect to the SSH server.
  21. Step 3:
  22. Under the SSH->Tunnels Category
  23. Enter the following:
  24. Source port: 8888 (or any port of your choosing. Just be sure to remember what it is)
  25. Destination: hostname/IP address of the server on which you have an account
  26. Also, select the “Dynamic” radio button.
  27. This tells Putty that, upon a successful connection, a SOCKS tunnel should be opened
  28. from a port on the computer you are using to the SSH server.
  29. Step 4:
  30. Click “Add”
  31. The forwarded port is now added to the connection settings.
  32. Step 5:
  33. Click “Open” to start the connection
  34. Putty will ask for your login credentials. In most cases, this will be a username and
  35. At this point, your Putty-enabled SOCKS proxy should be active. But how do we test it
  36. out? Keep reading…
  37. Step 6:
  38. Fire up your web browser and navigate to its proxy connection properties menu.
  39. For Firefox 3, it is in Tools->Options->Advanced->Network(tab)->Connection, Settings
  40. Step 7:
  41. Find the SOCKS settings text box and enter the following:
  42. Proxy Address/Host: localhost OR 127.0.0.1
  43. Port: 8888 (or whatever port you decided to use in Step 3)
  44. Ensure SOCKS Version 4 is selected
  45. might not work correctly.)
  46. Step 8:
  47. Click “OK” until you’re back to your browser.
  48. Go to http://ipchicken.com and check your IP address. It should be different from the
  49. machine you’re on. In fact, it SHOULD be the IP address of the SSH server (or whatever
  50. machine is handling its connections).
  51. Step 9:
  52. Pat yourself on the back. Or have your buddies do it for you– they’ll no doubt be
  53. impressed by your newfound computer skills. Enjoy browsing the web using your own
  54. personal SSH proxy.
  55. NOTE: Although this could be useful when using a public computer– it won’t protect you
  56. due diligence when using untrusted computers
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