How to Configure Internet Explorer to Use a Proxy Server

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 2.0, 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 2.0, 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 4.0 for Windows 3.1

SUMMARY

You can configure Microsoft Internet Explorer to use a proxy server to connect to the Internet. A proxy server acts as a security barrier between your internal network and the Internet, keeping others on the Internet from accessing information on your internal network. This article describes how to configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server over a Local Area Network (LAN) connection and lists the proxies that Internet Explorer supports.

MORE INFORMATION

Configuring Internet Explorer to Use a Proxy

To configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy over a LAN connection, follow the steps in the appropriate section.

Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95 and Windows NT

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double- click Internet.

2. Click the Connection tab, and then click the "Access the Internet using a proxy server" check box to select it.

3. Click the Advanced button, and then type the appropriate proxy settings in the Servers area. Use the following syntax for the proxy settings:

         http://<address>:<port>
   

   where <address> is the Web address of the proxy server, and <port> is the port number assigned to the proxy server. For example, if the proxy server's address is "proxy.example.microsoft.com" and the port number is 80, the setting in the Proxy Server box should read:

         http://proxy.example.microsoft.com:80
   

   NOTE: If you use a backslash (\) instead of a slash (/) in the proxy server's address, the settings disappear from the Proxy Server box and Internet Explorer does not find the proxy server.

   If you are using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your proxy server, make sure not to type leading zeros. For example, use 130.25.0.1 instead of 130.025.000.001.

   If you do not know the Web address or port number of the proxy server, See your network administrator. Also, if there are any Web servers on the local network for which you want to bypass the proxy, type the appropriate host names in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box. For example, if you do not want to use the proxy server to access the "example.com" Web server on your LAN, type "example.com" (without quotation marks) in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box.

Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 3.1

1. In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the View menu.

2. Click the Connection tab.

3. Click the Advanced button, and then type the appropriate proxy settings in the Servers area. Use the following syntax for the proxy settings:

         http://<address>:<port>
   

   where <address> is the Web address of the proxy server, and <port> is the port number assigned to the proxy server. For example, if the proxy server's address is "proxy.example.microsoft.com" and the port number is 80, the setting in the Proxy Server box should read:

         http://proxy.example.microsoft.com:80
   

   NOTE: If you use a backslash (\) instead of a slash (/) in the proxy server's address, the settings disappear from the Proxy Server box and Internet Explorer does not find the proxy server.

   If you are using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your proxy server, make sure not to type leading zeros. For example, use 130.25.0.1 instead of 130.025.000.001.

   If you do not know the Web address or port number of the proxy server, See your network administrator. Also, if there are any Web servers on the local network for which you want to bypass the proxy, type the appropriate host names in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box. For example, if you do not want to use the proxy server to access the "example.com" Web server on your LAN, type "example.com" (without quotation marks) in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box.

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Internet Tools, and then click Get On The Internet to start the Internet Connection Wizard.

2. Click Next, click Manual, and then click Next to start the Internet Setup Wizard.

3. Click Next, click Connect Using My Local Area Network, click Next, and then follow the instructions in the remainder of the Internet Setup Wizard. Make sure to click the Use Proxy Server check box to select it when it appears and type the appropriate proxy settings in the Proxy Server box. Use the following syntax for the proxy settings:

         http://<address>:<port>
   

   where <address> is the Web address of the proxy server, and <port> is the port number assigned to the proxy server. For example, if the proxy server's address is "proxy.example.microsoft.com" and the port number is 80, the setting in the Proxy Server box should read:

         http://proxy.example.microsoft.com:80
   

   NOTE: If you use a backslash (\) instead of a slash (/) in the proxy server's address, the settings disappear from the Proxy Server box and Internet Explorer does not find the proxy server.

   If you are using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your proxy server, make sure not to type leading zeros. For example, use 130.25.0.1 instead of 130.025.000.001.

   If you do not know the Web address or port number of the proxy server, See your network administrator. Also, if there are any Web servers on the local network for which you want to bypass the proxy, type the appropriate host names in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box. For example, if you do not want to use the proxy server to access the "example.com" Web server on your LAN, type "example.com" (without quotation marks) in the Don't Use Proxy For These Addresses box.

1. If you have not run the Internet Setup Wizard, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Internet Tools, and then click Internet Setup Wizard. Follow the instructions in the Internet Setup Wizard, selecting the Direct LAN Connection option when you are prompted.

2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double- click Internet.

3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click the Use Proxy Server check box to select it.

4. In the Proxy Server box, type the appropriate proxy settings. Use the following syntax:

         http://<address>:<port>
   

   where <address> is the Web address of the proxy server and <port> is the port number assigned to the proxy server. For example, if the proxy server's address is "proxy.example.microsoft.com" and the port number is 80, the setting in the Proxy Server box should be:

         http://proxy.example.microsoft.com:80
   

   NOTE: If you use a backslash (\) instead of a slash (/) in the proxy server's address, the settings disappear from the Proxy Server box and Internet Explorer does not find the proxy server.

   If you do not know the Web address or port number of the proxy server, see your network administrator.

   If you are using the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the proxy server, make sure not to type leading zeros. For example, use 130.25.0.1 instead of 130.025.000.001.

5. If there are any Web servers on the local network for which you want to bypass the proxy, type the appropriate host names in the Bypass Proxy On box. For example, if you do not want to use the proxy server to access the "example.com" Web server on your LAN, type "example.com" (without quotation marks) in the Bypass Proxy On box.

6. Click OK.

Proxies Supported by Internet Explorer 3.0

Internet Explorer 3.0 supports the following proxy servers:

• Socks V4
• CERN-compliant proxies
• HTTP 1.1 Proxy Authentication with CERN-compliant proxies
• SSL Tunneling with CERN-compliant proxies
• Specialized FTP proxy support, including TIS Gauntlet and WinGate