How to Turn Auto-Detect on in Mozilla

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the unfiltered Internet. Proxies can provide an extra layer of security and block inappropriate content from the network. Although you can manually configure a proxy in Mozilla Firefox, the browser is also capable of automatically detecting the proxy for your current network connection. This auto-detect feature is especially useful if, for example, your school or office network uses a proxy, but your home network does not. If you often connect to the two networks from the same laptop, use the auto-detect feature to avoid having to change Mozilla Firefox's settings every time you connect.

Instructions

1. Press the "Alt" key to reveal the top menu bar, if it's not already onscreen. Open the "Tools" menu and click "Options."

2. Click the "Advanced" icon, then select the "Network" tab. Click the "Settings" button in the "Connection" section.

3. Click the radio button next to "Auto-detect proxy settings for this network."

4. Click "OK" to turn auto-detect on. Click "OK" to close the "Options" window.

Tips & Warnings

• If Mozilla Firefox has trouble auto-detecting the proxy, ask the network's administrator for the proxy URL.

• Mozilla Firefox's proxy auto-detect feature can increase the browser's start-up time.

References

• Indiana University: What is a Proxy Server?
• Mozilla Support: Options Window - Advanced Panel
• Ask Leo!; Do I Want to Let My Browser Automatically Detect Settings?; Leo Notenboom; April 2010