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Troubleshooting Steps for Proxy Error

CCCSupport9
  • Updated

Error Message

A proxy connection has been detected. To connect to the California Community Colleges, you must disable anonymizing services.

Screenshot of the proxy error a student might see. The text is in the paragraph above.

What is Happening

You are seeing this error because our security measures and the settings on your device are in conflict with identity verification requirements for the CCCApply system. 

Quick Fix

The most common fix for this issue is to view your application in a private browser window. To open a private window:

  • Google Chrome (Incognito browsing): Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).
  • Apple Safari (Private browsing): Press Cmd + Shift + N.
  • Mozilla Firefox (Private browsing): Press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + P (Mac).
  • Microsoft Edge (InPrivate browsing): Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac).

Do not use the Tor browser, as it will always hide your identity from CCCApply.

Next Steps

If the Quick Fix did not resolve the problem, try these fixes and open your application again:

  1. Clear your browser cache and history - after clearing, close your browser and reopen it to try the application again.
  2. Disable browser plugins or extensions
  3. Turn off secure networking services such as VPN or proxy service
  4. Switch to a different internet connection such as connecting to a different Wi-Fi network or using mobile data. 
  5. For Apple users, iCloud may be controlling your browser settings. To fix this, follow the steps to Turn off iCloud Private Relay.

Related Help Articles

Passwords & Verification Codes

Setting Up Your Account

Signing In

Recovering Your Account

More Help Articles

Still need help?

If the steps above did not resolve the issue, please submit a support request. You will need to provide a photo of a valid ID so we can verify your identity.

Submit a student support request Submit a staff support request

Clear Your Browser Cache

Google Chrome

  1. Click the three dots menu (Three dots icon.) in the top right. 
  2. Select Delete browsing data.
  3. Select All time.
  4. Select Browsing history.
  5. Cached images and files.
  6. Click Delete data.
    Chrome Delete browsing data screen

Back to Next Steps

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Settings and more (...) icon at the top right.
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Privacy, search, and services.
  4. Click Clear browsing data.
    Edge Settings screen.
  5. Click Choose what to clear.
    Edge Choose what to clear button.
  6. Select Browsing history.
  7. Select Cached images and files. 
  8. Click Clear now.
    Edge Delete browsing data screen.

Back to Next Steps

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the three lines menu button (Three line button.) in the upper right corner . 
  2. Click Settings.
  3. Click Privacy and Security.
  4. Under Cookies and Site Data, click Clear Browsing Data.
    Firefox setings with Clear browsing data button highlighted.
  5. Select Browsing & download history.
  6. Select Temporary cached files and pages.
  7. Click Clear.
    Firefox browsing history and cached files selected with the Clear button highlighted.

Back to Next Steps

Safari on Macintosh

  1. In the Safari menu bar, click Safari.
  2. Click Settings.
    Safari menu item with Settings highlighted.
  3. Click the Privacy tab.
  4. Click Manage Website Data.
    Safari privacy settings with the Manage Website Data button highlighted.
  5. Click Remove All.
  6. Click Done.
    Safari settings with the Remove All and Done buttons highlighted.
  7. Click Remove Now.

Back to Next Steps

Safari on iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Safari.
  4. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
    Safari mobile settings with Clear History and Website Data button highlighted.

Back to Next Steps

Disable Browser Plugins or Extensions

  1. Go to extensions for your browser by entering this address into your address bar:
    1. Chrome: chrome://extensions/
    2. Edge: edge://extensions/
    3. Firefox: about:addons
    4. Safari: Navigate to Safari > Settings > Extensions (on macOS)
  2. Disable all extensions. Once you have completed your application, you may enable the extensions again.

Back to Next Steps

Turn Off VPN or Proxy Service

Many VPNs run independent of the operating system (macOS, Windows) and can be disabled by using the Menu Bar (macOS) or the System Tray (Windows).

Third Party VPN on macOS

  1. Click the VPN icon in the Menu Bar.
  2. Click Disconnect, Turn Off, or Pause, depending on what the app offers.

macOS VPN menu with Disconnect highlighted.

Back to Next Steps

Third Party VPN on Windows

  1. Click the up arrow to open the system tray.
  2. Right click on the icon for your VPN. The icon below is for OpenVPN. Icons for other VPNs will look different.
  3. Click Disconnect, Turn Off, or Pause, depending on what the app offers.
    Windows system tray with VPN icon and Disconnect option highlighted.


 

If your VPN is integrated into the Operating System, you can turn them off from the System Settings.

Back to Next Steps

macOS VPN

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
  2. Click VPN in the left sidebar.

  3. Locate the active VPN service, and toggle the switch to the Off position.

    macOS VPN menu with Disconnect highlighted.

Back to Next Steps

macOS Proxy

To disable a proxy:

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
    PNG image (1).png
  3. Click Network in the left sidebar.
    macOS Network menu item highlighted.
  4. On the right side, select the network you are actively using (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
  5. Click the Details button next to your network.
  6. Select Proxies in the left sidebar.
  7. Turn off all switches (Web Proxy, Secure Web Proxy, SOCKS Proxy, and Auto Proxy Discovery).Click OK, then click Apply (if applicable) to save your changes.
    macOS Proxy options with all checkboxes cleared.

Back to Next Steps

Windows VPN

  1. Click Start and open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet. You may need to click the menu button first (three lines).
  3. Click VPN.
    Windows Network & Internet settings.
  4. Select the VPN connection you want to disable.
  5. Click Disconnect.
    Windows VPN settings with Disconnect button highlighted.

Back to Next Steps

Windows Proxy

  1. Click Start and open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet. You may need to click the menu button first (Three line button.).
  3. Click Proxy.
    Windows Network & Internet options with Proxy button highlighted.
  4. Under Automatic proxy setup, turn Automatically detect settings to On.
  5. Under Manual proxy setup, turn Use a proxy server to Off.
    Windows Proxy options with Automatically Detect Settings toggle highlighted, and Use a proxy server highlighted.
  6. Close the window and restart your PC.

Back to Next Steps

Switch Networks

To switch to a different network, follow the instructions for your device.
 

Windows

  1. Click Start and open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet. You may need to click the menu button first (Three line button.).
  3. Click Wi-Fi. 
  4. Click Show Available Networks.
    Windows Wi-Fi available networks.
  5. Connect to another network where you know the password. If one is not available, you may need to go to a friend’s house, or an area with public WiFi such as a library or coffee shop.
  6. Once connected, try your application again.

Back to Next Steps
 

macOS

  1. Click the WiFi icon on the top menu bar (macwifiicon.png).
    • If you don't see a WiFi icon, click the Apple logo > System Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Click Other Networks/Available Networks/Known Networks. A list of networks within reach will display.
    macOS available networks.
  3. Click Connect next to the network you want to join. If one is not available, you may need to go to a friend’s house, or an area with public WiFi such as a library or coffee shop.

Back to Next Steps

Phone or Tablet

If possible, the easiest way to connect to another network is to turn off your WiFi and use data to complete your application. If you are already using data, go somewhere where you can connect to a WiFi network.

If switching between data and WiFi does not work, open your system settings and find a new WiFi network to connect to.

Back to Next Steps

Turn Off iCloud Private Relay

iCloud Private Relay requires an iCloud+ subscription. If you know you do not have that subscription, this section does not apply to you.

After turning it off, clear your browser cache and history, then try signing in again. If the error continues, try a different browser or open a new browser session.

iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to Settings Apple Settings icon. > [your name] > iCloud > Private Relay, then tap Private Relay.
  2. Tap Turn Off Until Tomorrow. Within 24 hours, iCloud Private Relay will turn back on automatically. .

macOS

  1. On your Mac, click the Apple menu Apple logo..
  2. Click System Settings.
    Apple System Settings menu item highlighted.
  3. Click your name at the top of the sidebar.
    If you do not see your name, click “Sign in”, enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, then enter your password.
  4. Click iCloud.
  5. Click Private Relay.
  6. Click the toggle to turn off Private Relay, or click Options, then click the toggle to turn off Private Relay.
    macOS iCloud settings with Private Relay highlighted.

Back to Next Steps
 

For the Techies

If you are a person who likes to dig into the details, here are some technically advanced descriptions of what might be happening:

Cache 

A browser cache is a local storage area on your device that temporarily saves website data (like images, CSS, and scripts). It speeds up page loading by letting your browser pull files from your hard drive instead of re-downloading them from the web.

While a cache is incredibly helpful, it can sometimes cause issues. If a website updates its design but your browser is still displaying the older, cached version, you might see broken layouts or outdated information.
 

Plugins or Extensions

Extensions such as popup blockers may hide your browser’s identity (location, IP address, etc.) Our security measures require that a browser be identifiable to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent applications and identity theft.
 

Wi-Fi Networks

Some Wi-Fi networks, such as at coffee shops or public libraries, may have settings that make them less secure. In order to protect you and your data, we have specific standards for what security measures a Wi-Fi network must have in place before it will let a student submit data through CCCApply.

Apple iCloud Relay

This feature routes your internet traffic through Apple's servers, which our security system treats as an anonymous connection. For more information see iCloud Private Relay.
 

Tor Browser

In order to combat fraud, OpenCCC and CCCApply require the ability to identify where an application or change to account information is coming from. The Tor browser hides content such as your IP address, ISP, and OpenCCC/CCCApply browsing history, so OpenCCC will not serve up sensitive information.
 

 

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