diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/helpers/LinkPreviews.kt b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/helpers/LinkPreviews.kt
index d4b2915297..d2a98ae101 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/helpers/LinkPreviews.kt
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/kotlin/chat/simplex/common/views/helpers/LinkPreviews.kt
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ private val previewMutex = Mutex()
 suspend fun getLinkPreview(url: String): LinkPreview? {
   return withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
     previewMutex.withLock {
-      val previousAuthenticator = Authenticator.getDefault()
       try {
         try {
           val title: String?
@@ -121,6 +120,8 @@ suspend fun getLinkPreview(url: String): LinkPreview? {
             imageUri = normalizeImageUri(u, imageUri)
             try {
               val conn = URL(imageUri).openConnection(proxy ?: Proxy.NO_PROXY)
+              conn.connectTimeout = 20_000
+              conn.readTimeout = 20_000
               val stream = conn.getInputStream()
               val image = resizeImageToStrSize(stream.use(::loadImageBitmap), maxDataSize = 14000)
               //          TODO add once supported in iOS
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ suspend fun getLinkPreview(url: String): LinkPreview? {
         }
         return@withLock null
       } finally {
-        Authenticator.setDefault(previousAuthenticator)
+        Authenticator.setDefault(null)
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/resources/MR/base/strings.xml b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/resources/MR/base/strings.xml
index 8d654b5af8..c9ed86af11 100644
--- a/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/resources/MR/base/strings.xml
+++ b/apps/multiplatform/common/src/commonMain/resources/MR/base/strings.xml
@@ -2646,7 +2646,7 @@
   <string name="v6_5_invite_friends">Easier to invite your friends 👋</string>
   <string name="v6_5_invite_friends_descr">We made connecting simpler for new users.</string>
   <string name="v6_5_safe_web_links">Safe web links</string>
-  <string name="v6_5_safe_web_links_descr">- opt-in to send link previews.\n- prevent hyperlink phishing.\n- remove link tracking.</string>
+  <string name="v6_5_safe_web_links_descr">- opt-in to send link previews.\n- use SOCKS proxy if enabled.\n- prevent hyperlink phishing.\n- remove link tracking.</string>
   <string name="v6_5_non_profit_governance">Non-profit governance</string>
   <string name="v6_5_non_profit_governance_descr">To make SimpleX Network last.</string>
   <string name="view_updated_conditions">View updated conditions</string>