Proxy Servers and Microsoft Internet Explorer

To take advantage of a proxy server's capabilities, Web browsers like Internet Explorer (IE) must be configured to explicitly use it. In many proxied environments, the client computers do not have direct Internet access, and browsers generally are not configured to use proxies "out of the box." Clients will be unable to access public Web sites in this scenario until proxy settings have been correctly made. 




Figure 2: IE5 Tools menu  
For example, to configure IE5 to use a proxy server, first click on Tools to access the drop-down menu. Click on the Internet Options... menu item to raise the Internet Options dialog. This dialog is a property sheet featuring multiple tabs. 

Clicking on the Connections tab makes available a dialog that includes a button in the bottom-right corner named LAN Settings... . Finally, click this button to raise the Local Area Network (LAN) Settings dialog; here is where proxy information must be entered. 





Figure 3: IE5 Internet Options, Connections tab  
IE5 supports both manual and automatic configuration options. As shown the Figure, the "Use a proxy server" check box must be checked to enable the manual entering of a proxy. 

Either the network host name or the IP address of the proxy server must be typed in the "Address" field. In addition, any internal domains (such as intranet sites) that do not need to go through a proxy can be entered here in order to bypass the server. 




Figure 4: IE5 Internet Options, Connections tab  
Microsoft provides Knowledge Base article Q135982 to assist in manually configuring proxy servers using other versions of Internet Explorer. Using the Automatically detect settings check box invokes the WPAD mechanism (discussed earlier) to auto-discover the proxy configuration. Finally, using the Use automatic configuration script check box allows clients to specify the URL that points to the JavaScript configuration file.

Proxy Servers and Netscape Navigator

Netscape Navigator (NN) may also be configured manually or automatically to work with a proxy server.



Figure: NN4 Edit menu  
For example, to manually configure NN4, first click on Edit to access the drop-down menu. Click on the Preferences... menu item to raise the Netscape Preferences dialog. 

This dialog is a property sheet featuring a hierarchical arrangement of buttons in the left channel (as compared to the tabs in IE). Double-clicking on the Advanced item (or single-clicking on the small arrow graphic to the left of this text) displays the Proxies sub-item. Finally, clicking on Proxies displays the proxy server configuration dialog within the window. 




Figure 6: NN4 Preferences, Proxies dialog  
Within this dialog, use the Direct connection to the Internet option to bypass proxy servers, and use the Automatic proxy configuration option to work with the automation script mechanism discussed earlier. (Navigator does not support WPAD.) 

To manually configure the proxy configuration, choose the middle option and click View to raise another dialog where the proxy server's host name or IP address can be entered. 

Free Web-Based Anonymous Proxy Servers

4. The Cloak

The Cloak is an HTTP/HTTPS free anonymous proxy. A pay service is also available that avoids the bandwidth throttling used in the free version.

Free Proxy Lists (Anonymous and Elite)

Internet proxy servers allow you to (mostly) hide your home IP address and navigate anonymously. However, these free public servers often are taken offline without warning, and some may offer a less reputable service than others. If you are interested in using anonymous proxies, you should maintain a free proxy server list on your home network to ensure at least one is accessible at all times.
Follow these links to obtain free proxy list downloads.

• Free Proxy Lists, from Proxy-list.org
• Fresh HTTP Proxy Lists, from xroxy.com
• Free Anonymous Proxies, from atomintersoft.com

These free proxy lists are updated regularly.