Connect Using NYU-NET Proxy

NYU-NET Proxy helps you authenticate yourself as an NYU community member when you are connecting to certain NYU resources from outside of NYU-NET. For instance, although you can access a small selection of NYU Libraries' most heavily used databases via the NYUHome Research Tab, there are more than 400 other databases and over 7,000 e-journals that are only available through the Libraries' website and BobCat.

If you are connecting to the Libraries' e-resources from off-campus through the Libraries' web page (except BobCat), you DO NOT need to use NYU-NET Proxy. If you are connecting to e-resources through BobCat from off-campus, however, you will need to configure your web browser for the NYU-NET Proxy to authenticate as an NYU user and gain access.

NYU's proxy server allows you to configure your Internet browser to permit full access to these and other information sources from an external ISP or other external connection. Using NYU-NET Proxy, your browser will employ a computer system here at the University to help it access your remote destination (see the bottom of this page for more information about proxy servers. When accessing NYU-NET in this way, you will be asked to type in your NYU NetID and password (which is the same as your password for NYUHome).

Note for College of Dentistry students:

If you experience problems after following the instructions on this page, please consult the alternate instructions available on the College of Dentistry Intranet.

Browser Configuration Instructions

Choose Your Operating System:

• AOL Subscribers
• Windows XP/2000
  • Internet Explorer 6.x
  • Firefox
• Macintosh OS X Panther & Tiger (10.3, 10.4 & above)
  • Safari
  • Firefox
• Macintosh OS X Jaguar (10 - 10.2)
  • Safari
  • Firefox
• Linux & Solaris Users

AOL Subscribers (Windows & Macintosh)

AOL's "internal" browser does not support proxy configuration. Follow these steps to use proxy services after connecting to the Internet using AOL.

• Log on (dial-up) to AOL.
• Do not open the AOL web browser. Minimize your AOL windows.
• Open a recent version of Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Firefox; do not log off AOL.
• Follow the instructions for setting the proxy on your browser (see below).

Windows XP/2000

Internet Explorer 6.x:

• Select Tools from the menu bar.
• Next, select Internet Options.
• Select Connections.
• If connecting via modem using DIAL, click on Settings.
• If connecting via cable modem, DSL, or office LAN, click on LAN settings.
• Next, select Use automatic configuration script.
• In the address box, type http://proxy.nyu.edu/wpad.dat, then click OK (see screenshot).

Internet Explorer 6.x proxy settings.

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers):

1. Open the Tools menu at the top of the window, then select Options.

2. In the window that opens, select General on the left, then click the Connecting Settings... button under the "Connection" heading.

2. In the window that opens, select Automatic proxy configuration URL:, and type in: http://proxy.nyu.edu/proxy.pac (see screenshot).
3. Click OK.

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers) proxy settings.

Macintosh OS X Panther & Tiger (10.3, 10.4 & above)

Safari:

1. Open System Preferences from the Apple Menu.
2. Click on the Network icon.
3. From the Show pull-down menu, select your connection method (e.g., "Internal Modem" or "Built-in Ethernet").
4. Select the Proxies tab, and do the following (see screenshot):
   • Select Automatic Proxy Configuration.
   • Enter http://proxy.nyu.edu/proxy.pac next to URL:.
5. Click Apply Now.

Proxy settings for a modem connection.

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers):

1. Open the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Preferences.
2. In the General section of the window that opens, click the Connection Settings... button under the "Connection" heading.
3. In the window that opens, select Automatic Proxy Configuration URL, then type in http://proxy.nyu.edu/proxy.pac (see screenshot).
4. Click OK.

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers) proxy settings.

Macintosh OS X Jaguar (10 - 10.2)

Safari & Internet Explorer:

1. Select System Preferences from the Apple Menu.
2. Click on the Network icon.
3. From the Configure or Show pull-down menu, select your connection method (e.g., "Internal Modem" or "Built-in Ethernet").
4. In the Proxies tab, do the following (see screenshots):
   • Select Web Proxy (HTTP).
   • Type proxy.nyu.edu next to Web Proxy. Do not enter http://.
   • Next to Port, type 8000.
   • Click Save or Apply Now.

Mac OS X Jaguar Proxy Settings for an Ethernet Connection.

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers):

1. Open the Firefox menu at the top of the screen and select Preferences.
2. In the General section of the window that opens, click the Connection Settings... button under the "Connection" heading.
3. In the window that opens, select Automatic Proxy Configuration URL, then type in http://proxy.nyu.edu/proxy.pac (see screenshot).
4. Click OK.
   

Firefox (and other Mozilla-based browsers) proxy settings.

Linux & Solaris

Netscape 6.x & above:

1. Select Edit from the menu bar.
2. Next, select Preferences from the menu.
3. In the Advanced section on the left, choose Proxies.
4. On the right side of the window, select Automatic Proxy Configuration.
5. In the address box, type http://proxy.nyu.edu/proxy.pac (see screenshot).

Netscape 6.x and Mozilla Proxy Settings.

More About Proxy Servers

A proxy server is a server that sits between a client application, such as a web browser, and a remote server. The proxy server intercepts each request to the remote server to see if it can fulfill the request itself. If not, it forwards the request to the remote server. When a proxy server receives a request for an Internet service, such as a web page, if the request passes the filtering requirements, the proxy server first looks in its local cache of previously downloaded web pages. If it finds the page, it returns it to the person who requested it without needing to forward the request to the Internet. If it does not find the page, the proxy server acts on behalf of the person and uses its own IP address to request the web page from the Internet.

An advantage of using a proxy server is that it can improve overall response time, since frequently-requested Internet sites are likely to be in the proxy's cache.

Page last reviewed: August 26, 2006