You set up a proxy server on your home network for some personal scraping. It seemed secure at first, but then you checked your logs and noticed unfamiliar IP addresses trying to connect. Now you're asking: can other people connect to the proxy I set up without permission? This guide shows you how to check if your proxy is exposed, secure it properly, and control who can access it.

First, Check If Your Proxy Is Public or Private

If you're wondering whether others can connect to your proxy, the first thing to check is whether it's public or private. Some setups look safe but are open to the internet.

Public Proxy

Open access. Anyone can connect, often with no authentication.
Exposed to the internet. Usually listens on 0.0.0.0 or a public IP address.
Easily discovered. Scanners pick them up fast; they may appear on free proxy lists.
High risk. Can be abused for scraping, spam, or even illegal traffic.
Often accidental. Many users run public proxies without realizing it.

Private Proxy

Restricted access. Only specific IPs or users can connect.
Bound to safe interfaces. Like 127.0.0.1 or a VPN-only network.
Not discoverable. Doesn't respond to outside scans.
Locked down. Uses authentication, IP whitelists, and firewall rules.
Typical use cases. Personal browsing, internal automation, team-level routing.

Now, Check If Your Proxy Can Be Connected to from the Outside

So, how can you tell if your proxy is really private or exposed to others? Common ways include checking the listening address, reviewing port forwarding, and scanning access logs for unusual activity.

See Which Addresses Your Proxy Is Listening On

Check which IP addresses your proxy is bound to, this tells you who can reach it. Start by checking how your proxy is set up on your own device.

Open your system command line or terminal
- On Windows: press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter
- On macOS: open the Terminal app
Run this command to list active listeners
- On Windows: netstat -ano | findstr LISTEN
- On macOS: netstat -an | grep LISTEN
Check the "Local Address" column
- 127.0.0.1 means your proxy is only accessible from your own device
- 0.0.0.0 or a local IP like 192.168.x.x means it could be reached from other devices, or even the internet, if port forwarding is enabled

💡 Note: Ports like 7890, 8080, or 1080 are often scanned by bots. If any of these show up under 0.0.0.0, check that proper access controls are in place.

Scan from the Outside

If you're unsure based on local setup, it's time to test externally. Try an online scanner to check if your proxy is reachable from the outside. Here's how to use it:

If the result says Port is open, that means your proxy is reachable from the internet and could be accessed by others. If it says Port is closed, your proxy is not currently exposed to outside traffic.

Check Access Logs for Connection Activity

If you're using a GUI-based proxy like Clash, check its logs to see whether anyone has accessed your proxy. Here's how:

Open the Logs tab in Clash
Set the log level to Detailed or Debug for full visibility
Let the proxy run for a few minutes
Look for entries that show real connections, such as:
1. [TCP] connected events
2. Source IPs under FROM
3. DNS requests to unfamiliar domains
4. Outbound attempts to unknown IPs

💡 Note: If you see requests from unknown sources or traffic you didn't initiate, that's a strong sign your proxy is being used by someone else.

The same approach applies to other tools like V2RayN, ShadowsocksR, or Surge. Look for their log panels or connection history sections and check for unfamiliar access.

Proxy request log showing TCP connected and dial failed entries

Screenshot: This Clash log shows an inbound TCP connection and attempted outbound access. These are clear signs that the proxy is reachable from the internet.

How to Prevent Others from Connecting to the Proxy I Set Up

If you're not planning to share your proxy, make sure it's fully locked down. Two effective methods are adding firewall rules to block external access and disabling LAN access in GUI-based clients.

Block Access with Your Firewall

To prevent outside devices from connecting to your proxy, block its port using the system firewall.

Steps (Windows):

Press Win + R, type wf.msc, and press Enter
Or go to Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced Settings
Click Inbound Rules in the left panel
Select New Rule… on the right
Choose Port, then click Next
Select TCP, enter your proxy port (for example, 7890)
Choose Block the connection, then click Next
Apply to all profiles, then click Next
Name the rule (for example, Block Proxy Port 7890), and click Finish

💡 Note: This rule only blocks external access to that port. Your local applications will still be able to use it normally.

If you are on macOS, this method does not apply. The built-in firewall only controls app access and does not support port-specific rules. For advanced rules, consider third-party tools like Little Snitch or using the command-line pf firewall.

Turn Off LAN Access (for GUI users like Clash)

If you're using Clash or similar tools:

Go to General Settings
Find the "Allow LAN" option
Make sure it's turned off

When this is off, only your own device can connect. It won't be visible to others on the network.

💡 Tip: Want to skip all this and use a proxy that's already locked down? A service like IPcook gives you a secured IP that's ready to go. You won't need to configure ports or adjust firewall settings.

The Hidden Risks of Letting Others Connect

Letting others connect to your proxy might seem harmless, but it carries hidden risks. If someone else uses your proxy, their traffic looks like it came from you. That includes spam, scraping, or even copyright violations. Even if you're not at fault, your IP could still be flagged. Sharing a proxy also means handing over your identity. If you can't track how it's used, it's safer to keep it private.

What Can Go Wrong When You Share Your Proxy

Even with good intentions, unsecured sharing can backfire. These are proxy-sharing mistakes that might seem harmless at first, but they often lead to real technical, legal, or reputational trouble:

You let a friend bypass geo-blocks, and they start torrenting copyrighted content. Your IP gets reported for piracy.
You give access to one trusted user, who shares it with others. One bad actor starts scraping aggressively, and you get an abuse complaint.
A bot script you installed starts scanning websites at scale. Some platforms flag your IP for suspicious activity.
You forget to remove an old port, and months later it's being used to bypass filters in another country.

In these cases, it's your IP and your name attached to the traffic. Even if you didn't initiate it, you're still the one explaining things to your ISP or facing blocks from websites.

When in Doubt: Don't Share, Or Use a Secure Proxy Service

If you're not sure how to limit access, monitor usage, or prevent abuse, the safest move is simple: don't share your proxy at all.

But if sharing is necessary, consider using a rented proxy service with built-in protections. It helps you avoid exposing your own IP and reduces the need to manage configuration and access controls yourself.

Secure Proxy Services vs. Self-Hosting: Which Makes More Sense?

Running your own proxy gives you complete control. But with that control comes full responsibility. You'll need to set up access rules, manage configuration, and monitor for misuse. Even a small mistake can leave your IP exposed or get it blacklisted.

For many users, it's easier and safer to use a secure proxy service provided by a trusted vendor. It saves time, avoids complex setup, and gives you a clean, ready-to-use IP that's protected by default.

So how do these two approaches compare? Here's a quick look.

Quick Comparison:

Category	Secure Proxy Service	Self-Hosted Proxy
Initial Setup	Ready to use with minimal setup	Manual configuration required
Security Burden	Security rules and access controls are already in place	You must handle firewalls, authentication, TLS, and misuse prevention
IP Reputation	Clean, rotating IPs managed by the provider	Exposed IPs can be blacklisted or abused if not secured
Customization	No setup needed for most cases, yet flexible enough for advanced use	Full flexibility over tools, ports, and routing
Ongoing Effort	Fully managed, low-maintenance operation	Needs regular maintenance and monitoring
Best Fit	Teams, automation workflows, or users who prioritize speed and simplicity	Developers, technical users, internal tools

Manage Proxy Access and Traffic Safely with IPcook

If you want precise control over who can access your proxy and how it's used, IPcook gives you those tools without the complexity. No need to configure firewalls or parse access logs manually.

From the IPcook dashboard, you can:

Restrict access to specific IP addresses
Set up authentication with username and password
Monitor bandwidth usage and connection history in real time

Stay in control of access, while IPcook handles the backend security. Whether you're running tests, managing automation, or browsing across regions, it helps you stay protected without manual setup.

Need speed and stability?
IPcook proxies deliver 99.99% uptime!

Conclusion:

Whether others can connect to your proxy depends entirely on how it is configured. A secure setup involves limiting which addresses the proxy listens on, managing access at the network level, and keeping an eye on connection activity. If you plan to share your proxy, even with trusted users like friends or teammates, be sure to understand the risks and take steps to prevent misuse.

If you prefer not to manage these details yourself, a secure proxy service can be a more reliable alternative. Services like IPCook offer clean IP addresses, access controls, and preconfigured environments that help reduce exposure and simplify the overall setup. Try IPcook's secure proxy platform today to protect your setup and control who connects, no manual config needed.

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