How to Set Up a Proxy

Proxy servers are computers that let other users share an Internet connection. They are used by network administrators to funnel traffic through the main proxy server, so the administrator can keep track of bandwidth use and block unauthorized websites. Before you can use a proxy server on your computer, you must set up the proxy server in your browser configurations. You can set up proxy server settings in the Windows 7 Control Panel.

Instructions

1. Click the Windows Orb and select "Control Panel." Click the "Network and Internet" link, and then click "Internet Options." This opens a configuration window.

2. Click the "Settings" button in the "LAN Settings" section. Check the box labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections)." This option triggers your Web browser to use a proxy server instead of connecting directly to the Internet.

3. Type the address and port number for the proxy server. The address and port number are supplied by your network administrator.

4. Check the box labeled "Bypass proxy server for local addresses." This lets you connect directly to an internal network computer, or intranet.

5. Click "OK" to save your settings. You can test the settings by opening your Internet Explorer browser and navigating to a website address.

References

• O'Reilly Answers: How to Configure Proxy Settings in Windows 7