Server Set

Server Set

How do I get Firefox's proxy server set up right to use it?

I just started using NetZero DSL and when I try to open Firefox it says:
Quote:
The proxy server is refusing connections

Firefox is configured to use a proxy server that is refusing connections.

* Check the proxy settings to make sure that they are correct.

* Contact your network administrator to make sure the proxy server is working.
Unquote.

But when I use Internet Explorer it works fine.

How can I use Firefox?

A proxy server is a server that passes requests back and forth between you and the internet. For example, when someone connects to the internet at their work (or other institution), they usually have to send all internet requests (such as website addresses to view) to their employer's proxy server, or the request will be blocked by their employer's firewall.

Most ISPs that offer home connectivity do not use a proxy server, but NetZero DSL might (I don't know.).

In your Firefox settings, Firefox is being told to either use a proxy that does not exist, or not being told to use the proxy that you need to connect to the internet. This is simple to fix.

1) Type about:config in your address bar, and hit return.

2) If you've never manually altered your configuration, a warning box will pop up. Click through it.

3) There will be a bunch of preferences listed. Scroll down to network.proxy.type

4) In the fourth column, the value entered is a number from 0 to 5. This is telling Firefox how to interact with a proxy server. Double click the number to change it. Change the value to 4. This tells Firefox to automatically attempt to detect what proxy settings are needed.

5) Restart Firefox.

Now, you should be able to connect to the internet. If "4" isn't the setting you need, you can try some of the other numbers -- the meaning of each value is given in the web page I give under "Sources." If all else fails, call NetZero technical support. You are paying them, after all.

About the other answers: Proxy servers have other uses. In many schools, workplaces, and other institutions, certain websites are blocked (e.g., Facebook, porn, etc.). Proxy servers can be used to get around this -- by going to the internet address of a proxy server, and then giving that proxy server the address of a blocked site, a user can view a blocked site (since the firewall will only detect the address of the proxy service, not the address of the blocked site). The other people who answered this question are referring to this use of proxy servers. This is unrelated to your problem -- sorry if it confuses you.

Hope this helps!