How do I know what proxy server I'm using?
The auto proxy detection system works by downloading a file called wpad.dat
from the host wpad
. First confirm this host exists from a command prompt:
ping wpad
If it doesn't exist, you may have to put the correct DNS suffix. In the same command prompt, type
ipconfig /all
You should see a Primary DNS Suffix
and a DNS Suffix Search List
Try appending each of these with a . to wpad
:
ping wpad.<primary dns suffix>
If any of these work, then in your browser enter http://wpad.<suffix>/wpad.dat
. This will download the proxy auto configuration file you can open in notepad.exe
Toward the bottom of this file, you should see a line saying
PROXY <host:port>;
It might be repeated if you have multiple proxies available. The host and port are what you need.
If this file doesn't exist, then either there is no proxy server, or the proxy server is being provided by dhcp (note that this would only work with IE, so if firefox can surf, this is not the method being used). If you don't have access to the dhcp server to see what it is sending, the easiest way would be to open a site in ie, then go to a command prompt. Type
netstat -ban
This will provide a list of connections made with the process id of each process. Go to Task Manager, and select View/Select Columns
and enable PID (Process Identifier). Look for the PID of iexplore.exe in the list returned by netstat -ban
This will reveal the proxy ip and port.
See edit below.
I have one more easy way to find it. Install chrome and go to below URL to see the proxy details
chrome://net-internals/#proxy
You will be able to see all the details
EDIT September 2020
As stated in the comment by @RMorrisey, you can use the following link (Chrome 85.x.x.x)
chrome://net-export/
Try the following command in cmd:
reg query "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings" | find /i "proxyserver"
Hope helps