Setting up the web proxy

Last updated: Feb 2008

Introduction

This document describes how to configure your browser to use the proxy server. It takes only a few clicks to set up, and can be done in under a minute - just pick your browser from the list below!

The KMC proxy will automatically configure your browsers to proxy only the supported websites. If your access period times out, you will be redirected to the proxy login page so that you can log in again.

Do not use the Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Protocol (WPAD), as it is unreliable and problems with WPAD have been found. Make sure "automatically detect settings" is disabled.

Specific browser settings

Microsoft Internet Explorer® 5.x and above (Windows)

  • IE 7.x
    • Select Tools/Internet Options/Connections
    • Select LAN Settings
    • Select 'Use automatic configuration script' and enter the URL http://users.kmclibrary.org/proxy.pac in the box immediately below

    • Make sure that Proxy Server "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is NOT selected
    • Select 'OK'

  • IE 5.x and 6.x

    • Select Tools/Internet Options/Connections
    • Select LAN Settings
    • Under Automatic Configuration
      • DISABLE (Unselect) "Automatically detect settings"
      • Select 'Use automatic configuration script' and enter the URL http://users.kmclibrary.org/proxy.pac in the box immediately below
    • Under Proxy Server unselect "Use a proxy server for your LAN"
    • Select 'OK'

Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, and related browsers (Windows, MacOS, Unix)

  • Firefox 2.x

    • Unix: from the Edit menu select Preferences, then Advanced then Network then select Settings...

    • MacOS: from the Firefox menu select Preferences, then Advanced then Network then select Settings...

    • Windows: from the Tools menu select Option, then Advanced then Network then select Settings...

    Select Automatic Proxy Configuration URL:, fill in the URL http://users.kmclibrary.org/proxy.pac
    then select OK.

  • Firefox 1.x and other browsers

    • Unix: from the Edit menu select Preferences, then General then Connection Settings...

    • MacOS: from the Firefox menu select Preferences, then General then Connection Settings...

    • Windows: from the Tools menu select Options, then General then Connection Settings...

    Select Automatic Proxy Configuration, fill in the URL http://users.kmclibrary.org/proxy.pac
    then select OK.

Safari (MacOS)

Mac OS supports system proxy settings. Most web browsers (including Camino) and many applications (such as Software Update, iTunes, RealAudio, Quicktime Player) use the system proxy settings rather than having their own. For this reason it's a good idea to establish system proxy settings.

  • System Web Proxy Server Settings - OS X
    • Go to the Apple menu and select System Preferences
    • Select Network, then Configure then
      the Proxies tab
    • From the Configure Proxies pull-down menu, select Using a PAC File and enter http://users.kmclibrary.org/proxy.pac Select Apply and close the System Preferences pane.