In the digital world, privacy is becoming a rare commodity. Every click, search, and website visit is tracked. Protecting your identity online isn’t just a matter of preference—it’s essential. One powerful way to protect your online activities is by using a Linux SOCKS proxy server. Whether you need anonymity, bypass geo-restrictions, or improve security, a SOCKS5 proxy is a reliable solution. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up a Linux SOCKS proxy server, so you can browse securely and privately.

Why SOCKS5

SOCKS5 is not just another proxy—it’s a versatile tool that can handle all kinds of internet traffic. By routing your internet connection through a proxy server, SOCKS5 masks your IP address and encrypts your data. This protocol works for both TCP and UDP traffic, making it suitable for everything from web browsing to online gaming. Here’s what you get when using a Linux SOCKS proxy server:
Anonymity: Hide your real IP address and browse privately.
Overcome Geo-Restrictions: Access content that is blocked in your region.
Secure Connection: Protect your data from prying eyes with encryption.
Ready to set up your own Linux SOCKS proxy server? Here’s how to get started.

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following:
A Linux server (Ubuntu, CentOS, or any other distribution).
Root or sudo access for installation and configuration.
A basic understanding of command-line operations.
Once you’re good to go, let’s begin setting up your SOCKS5 proxy server.

Step 1: Installing Dante Your SOCKS5 Server

For this setup, we’ll use Dante, one of the most popular SOCKS5 server software packages for Linux. Here’s how to install it:
1. Install system updates:
Open your terminal and run the following commands to update your package list:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

2. Configure Dante:
Install the Dante server package with:

sudo apt install dante-server

Step 2: Configuring and Optimizing Linux SOCKS Proxy Server

Now that Dante is installed, it’s time to configure it to run your SOCKS5 proxy server.
1. Adjust the configuration settings:
Open the main configuration file located at /etc/danted.conf:

sudo nano /etc/danted.conf

2. Include the following configuration:
Here’s a simple setup to get you started:

logoutput: /var/log/danted.log
internal: eth0 port = 1080
external: eth0
method: username none
user.privileged: root
user.unprivileged: nobody
client pass {
  from: 0.0.0.0/0 to: 0.0.0.0/0
  log: connect disconnect
}
socks pass {
  from: 0.0.0.0/0 to: 0.0.0.0/0
  log: connect disconnect
}

Key points:
logoutput: Specifies where logs will be stored.
internal & external: Define the network interfaces used by the proxy.
method: none means no authentication is required, but you can change this for better security.
user.privileged & user.unprivileged: Define which users run the proxy service.
3. Save and exit:
After editing, save and exit the file by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and Enter.

Step 3: Activating Your Linux SOCKS Proxy Server

With the configuration in place, it’s time to start the server.
1. Activate the Dante service:
Launch the SOCKS5 proxy server by running:

sudo systemctl start danted

2. Enable Dante on system startup:
To make sure the service runs automatically after reboot:

sudo systemctl enable danted

3. Check the status of the service:
Ensure that the Linux SOCKS proxy server is running properly:

sudo systemctl status danted

Step 4: Verifying SOCKS5 Proxy Functionality

It’s time to test whether your Linux SOCKS proxy server is working as expected. Here’s how:
1. Configure curl:

sudo apt install curl

2. Run the test:
Use the following command to test the proxy:

curl --socks5 localhost:1080 http://example.com

If everything is configured correctly, you’ll see the HTML content of the website. This confirms the setup is working.

Step 5: Configuring Firewall Rules

If you have a firewall running on your server, ensure that it allows traffic on the SOCKS5 port (default is 1080).
1. Unblock port 1080:
If you’re using UFW, run:

sudo ufw allow 1080/tcp

2. Refresh firewall rules:
Apply the changes by reloading the firewall:

sudo ufw reload

Conclusion

You now have a fully configured Linux SOCKS proxy server. Whether you're using it for privacy, bypassing restrictions, or securing sensitive data, your SOCKS5 proxy is live and ready to protect your online activity.
To further enhance security, consider implementing user authentication, activity logging, and server monitoring. These additional steps will make your Linux SOCKS proxy server more robust and secure.
Start using it today to enjoy private, secure browsing.