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Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware

Cross-posted to 3 groups.

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Today I installed and tested FreeGate, which is "similar" to Psiphon
in that FreeGate provides a DIFFERENT way for a free encrypted proxy.

Here's my installation log, so that others can follow in my footsteps.

We'll start with a series of increasing detail by way of comparison.
Psiphon is SOCKS5 & HTTP:
 a. Encrypted tunnel (SSH-based)
 b. Works with any SOCKS5-aware app
 c. Broader coverage for privacy

Freegate is HTTP:
 a. Encrypted HTTP proxy
 b. Limited to apps using Windows proxy
 c. Narrower coverage, browser-focused

SOCKS5 support:
 Psiphon runs a local SOCKS5 proxy (typically on 127.0.0.1:1080)
  in addition to an HTTP proxy.
 Freegate does not expose a SOCKS5 proxy port.
  It only provides a local HTTP/HTTPS proxy (usually on 127.0.0.1:8580).

Encryption:
 Traffic between your client and Psiphon┬ servers is encrypted.
  When using the SOCKS5 port, the traffic is wrapped in an SSH-based
  tunnel with obfuscation before leaving your machine.
 Traffic between your client and Dynaweb┬ servers (Freegate) is
  also encrypted, but it is not a SOCKS5 tunnel and not a standard
  VPN. It uses a proprietary encrypted HTTP proxy protocol.

Comparison of Psiphon and Freegate
  Feature            | Psiphon               | Freegate            |
  -------              -------                 --------
  Platform           | Windows, Android, iOS | Windows             |
  Distribution       | Official sites, stores| Mirrors, updater    |
  Protocols          | SSH, VPN, HTTP proxy  | Dynaweb proxy       |
  Local ports        | 1080 (SOCKS), 33111   | 8580                |
  GUI                | Modern, usage stats   | Simple, log window  |
  Auto update        | Yes                   | Yes (prompts)       |
  Tunnel modes       | VPN, SSH+, Split      | A, F, M             |
  System proxy       | Auto or manual        | Auto WinINET        |
  Cross-app support  | Yes (VPN mode)        | Yes (system proxy)  |
  Open source        | Client is open source | Closed source       |
  Typical use        | Censorship, privacy   | Censorship (China)  |
1. Download & unzip the FreeGate version 7.90 portable zip file.
   <https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6243-freegate.html>
   Click the "Download Freegate" button 
   Choose either the EXE or ZIP version.
    Name: fg790p.zip
    Size: 6900787 bytes (6739 KiB)
    SHA256: 8BD7F8DFEFA73DE07CC0C32265174681BACE7DF90EF2CCFB60F3B8473E3607CA

   When I used FreeGate 7.90, it asked to download & use version 8.05:
   Name: fg805p.exe
   Size: 8135672 bytes (7944 KiB)
   SHA256: 608DDDD745143F977BECB15A63FB49855B6672E4E53AA87833CA818A159FC1D1

   Had I known that, I would have downloaded first from Gizmodo instead:
   <https://gizmodo.com/download/freegate> (file size & hash checks out)

2. If you downloaded the ZIP file:
   a. Right-click the ZIP file and select "Extract All..."
   b. Choose a destination folder (e.g., C:\app\network\freegate\)
   c. And click "Extract"

3. Double-click "fg790p.exe" to launch Freegate.
   When you launch fg790p.exe, Freegate opens its control panel titled 
   "FreeGate Proxy Control", which lets you:
   a. See connection status to Freegate's proxy servers.
   b. Choose between different proxy modes (e.g., Classic or Smart).
   c. View logs and diagnostics.
   d. Launch a browser window preconfigured to use Freegate's proxy.
   This panel is the gateway to managing how Freegate tunnels your traffic.

4. In the "FreeGate Proxy Control" panel, your choices are:
   (_)All websites go through Freegate proxy
   (o)Connect to websites in China directly 
      (and not through FreeGAte proxy)
   [x]Skip this window when program starts

5. Select the option:
   (o)All websites go through Freegate proxy
   This ensures that all your internet traffic that obeys the 
   Windows system proxy (which stack?) should be routed through 
   Freegate's encrypted tunnel.

   Also uncheck (for now):
   [_]Skip this window when program starts

   Press the blue "OK" button in the Freegate Proxy Control panel.

6. A Dynaweb FreeGate window should pop up saying something like:
    [Freegate 7.90 Professional Edition]
    Connected to 7 Servers, port: 8580, 
    Tunnel(A)

7.  You may also get a belated Windows-Defender popup:
     Windows Defender Firewall has blocked some features of this app.
     Windows Defender Firewall has blocked some features of 
     Freegate on all public and private networks.
      Name: Freegate
      Publisher: Dynamic Internet Technology, Inc.
      Path: C:\app\network\freegate\fg790p.exe
     Allow Freegate to communicate on these networks:
      [x]Private networks, such as my home or work network
      [_]Public networks, such as those in airports & coffee shops
     [Allow access][Cancel]

    Click the "Allow access" button in the Windows Defender Firewall prompt.
    This permits Freegate to communicate over your private network 
    and establish proxy connections.

8. Confirm that the Dynaweb FreeGate window remains open.
   a. It should display:
      Connected to 7 Servers, port: 8580
      Tunnel(A)
   b. This indicates that Freegate is actively tunneling traffic 
      through its proxy network.

9. To verify that Freegate is working:
    a. Open your preferred browser (e.g., Chrome or Firefox)
    b. Visit https://www.whatismyip.com/
       My IPv4: 65.49.38.149
    c. Check if your IP address is different from your normal ISP address
    d. Visit a website that is normally blocked in your region

   If your IP has changed or blocked sites are accessible:
   Then Freegate is successfully routing traffic through its proxy.

   Check your system proxy settings.

    Win+I > Network & Internet > Proxy > 
     Automatic proxy setup
      Automatically detect settings = off
      Use setup script = off
      Script address = 127.0.0.1/proxy.pac (which is grayed out!)
      [Save] (which is grayed out!)
     Manual proxy setup
      Use a proxy server = on
      Address = 127.0.0.1 
      Port = 8580
      Use the proxy server except for addresses that start with the following:
       <blank>
       [x]Don't use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses
      [Save]

    Win+R > control > Internet Options > Internet Properties 
      Connections > LAN settings 
        Local Area Network (LAN) Settings 
         Automatic configuration
          [_]Automatically detect settings
          [_]Use automatic configuration script
             Address = http://127.0.0.1/proxy.pac (grayed out!)
         Proxy server
          [x]Use a proxy server for your LAN
             Address = [127.0.0.1] Port = [8590] 
             [x]Bypass proxy server for local addresses

         [Advanced]
           Proxy Settings 
            HTTP: 127.0.0.1 : 8580
            Secure: 127.0.0.1 : 8580 (grayed out!)
            FTP: 127.0.0.1 : 8580 (grayed out!)
            Socks: <blank> (grayed out!)
           [x]Use the same proxy server for all protocols
            Do not use proxy server for addresses beginning with:
             <blank>

10. Optional: Configure other applications to use Freegate's proxy.
   a. Freegate typically runs a local proxy on 127.0.0.1:8580
   b. In your browser or app settings, set:
      Proxy address: 127.0.0.1
      Proxy port: 8580
   c. Save and apply the settings.

11. To stop using Freegate:
    a. Close the Dynaweb FreeGate window by clicking its Window red (X).
    b. It will ask you a few questions (and go away if you don't answer).
       Exiting proxy
       Freegate is exiting. 
       Your internet activity will no longer be protected by Dynaweb. 
       It is not safe to continue visiting censored websites.
       You are highly recommended to close all opened applications now.
       [_]Do not show this window again; close all IE windows.
       [_]Do not show this window again; keep all IE windows.
       [Close opened applications [30s]][Keep open]

12. To confirm Freegate has successfully reverted proxy settings

    a. Open Windows Settings:
       Win+I > Network & Internet > Proxy

    b. Check the following:
       - Automatic proxy setup:
         Automatically detect settings = on
         Use setup script = off
         Script address = <blank>
       - Manual proxy setup:
         Use a proxy server = off
         Address = <blank>
         Port = <blank>
         Don't use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses = unchecked

    c. Open Internet Options:
       Win+R > control > Internet Options > Connections > LAN settings

    d. Confirm:
       - Automatically detect settings = checked
       - Use automatic configuration script = unchecked
         Address = <blank>
       - Use a proxy server for your LAN = unchecked
         Address = <blank>
         Port = <blank>
         Bypass proxy server for local addresses = unchecked

    e. Click [OK] to close LAN settings
       Click [OK] to close Internet Properties

Unfortunately, I didn't know about the version 8.05 available download.
When I used FreeGate 7.90 a few times, it asked to download version 8.05:
   Name: fg805p.exe
   Size: 8135672 bytes (7944 KiB)
   SHA256: 608DDDD745143F977BECB15A63FB49855B6672E4E53AA87833CA818A159FC1D1

Had I known that, I would have used a different download site:
   <https://gizmodo.com/download/freegate>
   <https://gizmodo.com/download/freegate-67626-download>
   Name: gizmodo_fg805p.exe
   Size: 8135672 bytes (7944 KiB)
   SHA256: 608DDDD745143F977BECB15A63FB49855B6672E4E53AA87833CA818A159FC1D1

So rather than rewrite my log, here are 7.90 vs 8.05 differences.

 STEP 1: DOWNLOAD
  Go to: https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6243-freegate.html
  Version 7.90 file: fg790p.zip (SHA256: 8BD7F8DFEFA73DE07CC0C32265174681BACE7DF90EF2CCFB60F3B8473E3607CA)
  Version 8.05 file: fg805p.exe (SHA256: 608DDDD745143F977BECB15A63FB49855B6672E4E53AA87833CA818A159FC1D1)
 
 STEP 2: EXTRACT (if ZIP)
  Right-click fg790p.zip
  Select "Extract All..."
  Choose folder (example: C:\app\network\freegate\)
  Click "Extract"
 
 STEP 3: LAUNCH
  Double-click fg790p.exe (7.90) or fg805p.exe (8.05)
 
 STEP 4: CONTROL PANEL DIFFERENCES
 VERSION 7.90:
  Window title: "FreeGate Proxy Control"
  Options:
   (_) All websites go through Freegate proxy
   (o) Connect to websites in China directly
   [ ] Skip this window when program starts
  Must click "OK" to activate
 
 VERSION 8.05:
  Window title changed (simplified layout)
  Options presented as a dropdown or single checkbox
  Status/log window shows connection attempts
  Fewer prompts, more automatic behavior
 
 STEP 5: STATUS WINDOW
 VERSION 7.90:
  Dynaweb FreeGate window shows:
   "Connected to X Servers, port: 8580, Tunnel(A)"
  Tunnel modes: A, F, M
 
 VERSION 8.05:
  Console-like log output
  Shows connection attempts and tunnel status
  Still binds to 127.0.0.1:8580
 
 STEP 6: FIREWALL PROMPT
  Windows Defender may prompt:
   "Allow Freegate to communicate..."
  Select:
   [x] Private networks
   [ ] Public networks
  Click "Allow access"
 
 STEP 7: VERIFY FUNCTION
  Open browser
  Visit https://www.whatismyip.com/
  Confirm IP differs from ISP
  Visit a blocked site to confirm access
  System proxy should show:
   Address = 127.0.0.1
   Port    = 8580
 
 STEP 8: EXIT BEHAVIOR
 VERSION 7.90:
  Exit dialog appears:
   "Freegate is exiting. Your internet activity will no longer be protected..."
  Options to close or keep IE windows
 
 VERSION 8.05:
  Exit dialog simplified
  Still warns that proxy is disabled after exit
 
 STEP 9: CONFIRM REVERSION
  After closing Freegate:
   ProxyEnable = 0
   ProxyServer = <blank>
   No fg790p.exe or fg805p.exe process
   No listener on 127.0.0.1:8580
  Check via:
   Win+I > Network & Internet > Proxy
   Win+R > control > Internet Options > LAN settings
 
 SUMMARY
  Both FreeGate 7.90 & 8.05 use the same proxy mechanism (127.0.0.1:8580)
  Abut 7.90 has explicit radio buttons, 8.05 has simplified controls
  Verification and cleanup steps remain the same

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  Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-18 07:53 +0000
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                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-21 04:34 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-22 20:31 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-22 20:41 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-23 17:22 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-09-28 06:10 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-10-17 05:40 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <marionf@fact.com> - 2025-10-17 05:44 +0000
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-10-29 11:55 -0600
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-10-29 11:58 -0600
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-10-30 00:56 -0600
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-11-02 20:45 -0700
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-11-02 20:58 -0700
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marion <mariond@facts.com> - 2025-11-03 10:41 -0700
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-01 15:38 -0700
                Re: Tutorial: Build a one-click Windows custom SOCKS5 proxy client using freeware Marian <marianjones@helpfulpeople.com> - 2025-12-02 01:11 -0700
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