How to connect to ScrapingAnt proxy via FoxyProxy?
Use FoxyProxy Standard to send browser requests through your ScrapingAnt residential or datacenter proxy. These instructions use the FoxyProxy 9.8 interface for desktop Chrome and Firefox. Install the extension using the links in the official FoxyProxy repository.
Before you start
Copy the proxy username and password from your residential proxy settings or datacenter proxy settings. Use the credentials for that proxy product, rather than your ScrapingAnt API key or account login.
| FoxyProxy field | Residential proxy | Datacenter proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Title | ScrapingAnt residential | ScrapingAnt datacenter |
| Type | HTTPS | HTTPS |
| Hostname | residential.scrapingant.com | datacenter.scrapingant.com |
| Port | 443 | 443 |
| Username / Password | From residential settings | From datacenter settings |
HTTPS here means the connection to the proxy uses TLS. An HTTP proxy on port 8080 is also available for both products; use Type HTTP with that port. It can still open HTTPS websites through an HTTP CONNECT tunnel. Do not select SOCKS or put https://, credentials, or a path in the Hostname field. See the residential setup and datacenter setup for endpoint details and username parameters.
Add and select the proxy
- Open FoxyProxy from your browser toolbar, then open Options.
- Open Proxies, click Add, and fill in the fields above. Keep the proxy enabled.
- Enter the complete proxy username, including any country or session parameters you use, and the corresponding password, then click Save.
- Open the toolbar popup and select your saved proxy by its title. Selecting an individual proxy routes browser requests through it, subject to bypass rules. Start with this mode before setting up Proxy by Patterns.
On Firefox, FoxyProxy requires Run in Private Windows permission to control proxy settings. On Chrome, enable Allow in Incognito only if you want to use the extension in incognito windows. The official extension help explains these permissions and routing modes.
Check the connection
With FoxyProxy disabled, open the IP check endpoint and note the returned address. Select your saved proxy, reload that page, and check the address again. A changed address confirms that this request used a different exit; it does not prove that every browser connection is proxied. Global exclusions can bypass an individual proxy. If you later choose Proxy by Patterns, unmatched URLs use a direct connection.
When finished, select Disable in the toolbar popup to return normal proxy control to the browser. Separately configured Incognito/Container proxies can remain active. Disable does not remove a proxy configured elsewhere in the browser or operating system.
Common failures
| Symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
Authentication prompt or 407 Proxy Authentication Required | Recheck the proxy product's username and password, including username parameters. Credentials are specific to the hostname and port. Save the changes and reselect the proxy. |
| Proxy connection or TLS error | Check the hostname and protocol/port pair: HTTPS / 443 or HTTP / 8080. Check whether your network permits that connection. Do not bypass certificate errors. |
| IP stays the same | Confirm the proxy is enabled, saved and selected. Check Global Exclude and other extensions controlling proxy settings; check pattern rules if using Proxy by Patterns. Reload the IP check page. |
| FoxyProxy's built-in Test fails on Chrome | Authenticate by loading the IP check page first; FoxyProxy documents this prerequisite for Chrome's built-in test. |
If the settings are correct and the connection still fails, contact support@scrapingant.com with the browser and FoxyProxy versions, proxy hostname, port and error. Do not include your password.