How to Setup Proxies for Python
When it comes to setting up proxies in Python, there is no one-straight procedure for doing that. That is because each of the HTTP libraries has its own way in which it is being set up. In this article, we would be using the Requests library since it is one of the most popular HTTP libraries in Python. Below is a code showing you how to set up proxies in Requests.
import requests
proxies = {
'http': 'http://proxy.example.com:8080',
'https': 'http://secureproxy.example.com:8090',
}
url = 'http://mywebsite.com/example'
response = requests.post(url, proxies=proxies)
Looking at the above, you can see that the requests library was imported. You will need to install it in other to make use of it as it is a third-party library. Create a proxy dictionary and pass it as an argument to the post or get method — in the case above, it is a get method.
Why Use Proxies in Python Script?
Python scripts that send web requests automatedly work as bots and the number of requests they can potentially send within a short period of time are unnatural and not what humans can replicate. This means that they can be easily identified. Most web servers would treat an unnatural number of requests coming from the same IP address as bot traffic and would block further requests from that IP address.
With the help of proxies, you get many IP addresses to use, making it possible to give your requests different IP footprints thereby being able to send out web requests without getting blocked. Aside from evading blocks, proxies are also useful for accessing got-targeted and localized content.
Is Proxy Usage Illegal?
Proxies mask the real IP address of computers, making it difficult for web servers that send web requests to trace it back to the original sender. This might look shady but many do it for privacy and security reasons.
Interestingly, it is not considered illegal in most parts of the world. It is advisable you seek the help of a law professional on the legality of proxies in your region. However, regardless of what the law says, most websites on the Internet do not allow the use of proxies and would block you if you are caught using them.
What are the Best Proxies for Python Scripts?
There are no best proxies. The proxies you should use would be determined by the project. If it is a web scraping project that requires you to change IP address frequently, use rotating proxies. For a project that requires you to maintain a session, use private proxies.
Some websites can be strict and as such, private proxies would not work — you will need residential proxies. Private proxies are the best in situations where speed is required.