For some tests, a proxy or VPN is needed to connect to our customers' test environments. If that's the case and only when the test requires that separate connection, you will see it below the test environment URL towards the top of the test overview page.
In this article, you'll find information on understanding these two types of connections, how to connect to a proxy or VPN and what VPN tools you can use.
Proxy vs VPN: Key Differences for Testing
Understanding the differences between proxy and VPN connections helps you understand why a specific connection type is required for your test.
Traffic Visibility
• Proxy: Website owners can trace traffic origins when you use a proxy. The proxy server forwards requests with its own IP address, but basic proxies may not fully hide your original IP, allowing customers to identify the traffic source. This is typically sufficient for testing geo-restricted content or basic access control.
• VPN: With a VPN, customers only see the VPN server's IP address, not your original one. This provides a higher level of anonymity and privacy during website testing.
Performance and Speed
• Proxy: Generally offers faster speeds as it doesn't encrypt traffic. This can be advantageous for website testing, where speed is crucial for customers and is why proxies are often chosen for functional testing.
• VPN: Typically slower due to encryption overhead, which affects performance during testing. This trade-off is accepted when security is prioritized.
Security
• Proxy: Lacks data encryption, making it less secure. Be extra careful when entering test credentials or sensitive test data when using a proxy connection.
• VPN: Encrypts your internet traffic, protecting sensitive data during testing. This is why VPNs are typically required for testing pre-production environments with sensitive data or when investigating security vulnerabilities.
Why Your Test Requires This Connection Type
The customer determines which connection type is needed based on their test environment's security requirements, the sensitivity of test data, and the level of anonymity required. Always use the connection type specified in the test's Access section - this ensures you can access the test environment properly and maintains the security level the customer requires.
Proxy
In a test, when a proxy is required to connect to the customer's website, all relevant information is displayed in the Access section on the test detail page: URL and port of our test IO proxy server as well as your credentials to connect to it.
The URL and port information is needed to set up the connection to our proxy server. Check out chapter Setup on how to set it up for your operating system and browser.
After setting up the proxy and trying to connect to a website via your browser, your browser will show a prompt and ask for your credentials (username and password).
Rules
Regarding our test IO proxy, please stick to the following rules:
The test IO proxy may only be used for customer projects; it is not for private use.
The test IO proxy may only be used for tests that require using a proxy. For all other tests, you must deactivate the test IO proxy before you start testing.
Setup
In the following text, we will show you how to setup a test IO proxy on different environments:
Windows
Open the Settings app.
Click on Network & internet in the left menu.
Open Proxy settings.
Under the Manual proxy setup section click on the Set up button.
Enable Use a proxy server
Enter the test IO Proxy URL and Port under the Proxy IP address and Port, and click on the Save button.
7. Open the browser and access the website which needs to be tested. You will be asked for a Username and Password, please enter here your credentials which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
macOS
Open the System Settings app.
Click on Network.
Select the option where are you connected to the Internet (Example: Wi-Fi).
Open Details of the connected network.
Click on the Proxies tab.
Enable Web Proxy (HTTP) and Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)
In both options, enter the Test IO Proxy URL and Port under the Server and Port input fields. Also, check and the Proxy server requires password, and enter your Username and Password which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
After you have entered all details click on the OK button to apply settings.
Open the browser and access the website which needs to be tested. If you are asked again for a Username and Password, please enter here your credentials which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
Tip for using system proxy settings on MacOS with Preproxy application.
If you use a proxy server on MacOS, you will notice that you need to repeatedly enter your password to allow other applications to access the system proxy settings. Most open source apps are incapable of reading proxy password saved in System Preferences. Possible to use Preproxy application to solve this problem. Preproxy accepts proxy requests on localhost and forwards them to the given remote proxy, automatically taking care of proxy authorization using the credentials stored in Keychain.
Instructions for using Preproxy application:
1. Install Preproxy app from Appstore
2. Run the application
3. Select "Host address and port" option Enter the following connection data: Hostname: forward.test.io
Port: 3128
Username: XXX
Password: XXX
Pay attention to a port that the application will use. In my case, it is 8079
4. Click on "Start" button.
5. Open network settings and add a new network service
6. Select the network interface and enter any service name.
7. Click on "Create" button
8. Open "Proxies"and enter the following parameters for the HTTP and HTTPS network protocols:
Web Proxy Server: 127.0.0.1
Port: 8079
Click on "OK" button
9. Activate new internet connection
You are now connected to test IO proxy server. Remember to switch to direct connection after testing. Tip: You can add site addresses which don't require using proxy server connection in "Exceptions" tab in the Preproxy application.
Android
Open the Settings app.
Navigate to Wi-Fi part.
Long tap on your wifi connection and tap on Manage network settings.
Tap on Show advanced options.
Tap on Proxy and change it to Manual.
Enter the test IO Proxy URL and Port and click on the Save button.
7. Open the browser and access the website which needs to be tested. You will be asked for a Username and Password, please enter here your credentials which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
iOS
Open the Settings app.
Tap on Wi-Fi.
Tap on the info (i) icon on a currently connected network.
Scroll down to HTTP PROXY section and tap on Configure Proxy.
Select Manual.
Enter the test IO Proxy URL and Port under the Server and Port.
Enable Authentication and enter your Username and Password which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page and click on the Save button.
Open the browser and access the website which needs to be tested. If you are asked again for a Username and Password / Proxy Authentication, please enter here your credentials which are given to you under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
Super Proxy on Android
Download the Super Proxy app from the Play Store.
Open the Super Proxy app and tap on the Add proxy button.
Here please fill out the Server, Port, Username, and Password.
In the Server, you should enter the test IO proxy URL. In the Port, you should enter the test IO proxy port. In Username and Password, you should enter your Username and Password which are given to you. All these details (Server, Port, Username, and Password) you can find under the Access section - Proxy part on the Test Cycle Overview page.
When you are done with filling out the necessary information, please click on the Save button which is located in the top right corner.
After you save the proxy, you should see now a green "Start" button, so please tap on it to start the proxy. NOTE: A "Connection request" window may appear after this action, you can allow this by clicking on the "OK" button.
Video - Proxy setup for Android and Windows
VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used to establish a secure connection between remote networks across the Internet, so you can access e.g. private company networks or websites that are only accessible from a specific country. In order to use a VPN, you need a special software tool that enables you to set up a connection to it.
Both for mobile and desktop environments, there are multiple apps and programs that you can use. You can download it to your mobile device or as a program for your desktop computer. There are also add-ons for common browsers like Firefox and Chrome.
Below, we present you a few tools – both free and fee-based – that you can use to set up a VPN connection for testing. In case your device does not support installing VPN apps, please refer to our "How to set up a VPN router" article.
Free VPNs | Paid VPNs |
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More Paid VPN Services:
If you are unsure which VPN Service to choose, please contact our Support team, we will be happy to help!