If it isn't one thing....

[WizeOne]

....it's another. During my last ????ware episode, I downloaded FireFox to see if that would get me on the internet, ie, things that affect IE supposedly do not affect FireFox. Well it did not work. So after I was able to resurrect IE and Firefox still did not work, I blew it out.

Now I thought that it would be a good idea to have it as an option, so I re-installed it. This is the message I still get.

Proxy Server Refused Connection
Firefox is configured to use a proxy server that is refusing connections.

The browser is configured to use a proxy server, but the proxy refused a connection.

* Is the browser's proxy configuration correct? Check the settings and try again.
* Does the proxy service allow connections from this network?
* Still having trouble? Consult your network administrator or Internet provider for assistance.

Any clues what to do?

 

[v1_0]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

....it's another. During my last ????ware episode, I downloaded FireFox to see if that would get me on the internet, ie, things that affect IE supposedly do not affect FireFox. Well it did not work. So after I was able to resurrect IE and Firefox still did not work, I blew it out.

Now I thought that it would be a good idea to have it as an option, so I re-installed it. This is the message I still get.

Proxy Server Refused Connection
Firefox is configured to use a proxy server that is refusing connections.

The browser is configured to use a proxy server, but the proxy refused a connection.

* Is the browser's proxy configuration correct? Check the settings and try again.
* Does the proxy service allow connections from this network?
* Still having trouble? Consult your network administrator or Internet provider for assistance.

Any clues what to do?

I'm going to assume that you don't have a proxy server. In that case, you will need to tell firefox NOT to use a proxy server. http://www.adventnet.com/products/q...ording_bc/loadtest_browser_proxysettings.html

BUT before you think you are safe: Internet Explorer is pretty much bound-into MS windows. You cannot uninstall it. So, it lurks behind the scene - and can still be exploited (even if you are browsing only with firefox). So, still crank up the security settings on it.

 

[AluminumFalcon]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

Freakin Interweb

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

BUT before you think you are safe: Internet Explorer is pretty much bound-into MS windows. You cannot uninstall it. So, it lurks behind the scene - and can still be exploited (even if you are browsing only with firefox). So, still crank up the security settings on it.

I just want to point out that this statement isn't entirely true. Browsing with Firefox, Opera, Chrome or Safari is relatively safe and in of itself won't hook in to Windows or Internet Explorer. *IF* you allow something through one of those browsers and that thing can exploit IE or Windows, then you might have an issue. If it just exploits IE (adds a toolbar, etc) then you won't see any issues unless you tend to switch to IE once in a while.

Either way make sure your proxy settings in Firefox say 'No Proxy' and if the problem persists then I'm thinking what you have is the same thing my little sister contracted and I'll be fixing that Monday next week when she's home.

 

[v1_0]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

I just want to point out that this statement isn't entirely true. Browsing with Firefox, Opera, Chrome or Safari is relatively safe and in of itself won't hook in to Windows or Internet Explorer.

I read an article about this, wish I could find it now - evidently, there are hooks between windows and IE. There are ways that these can be exploited even if you are browsing even with another browser - such as Firefox. I'll see if I can't find the article, I was certainly surprised by it enough to remember it.

The fallout from this is - secure IE, regardless of if it is your default browser or not.

Here's a link as to how:
http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/securing_browser/

-V

 

[WizeOne]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

I'm going to assume that you don't have a proxy server. In that case, you will need to tell firefox NOT to use a proxy server. http://www.adventnet.com/products/q...ording_bc/loadtest_browser_proxysettings.html

BUT before you think you are safe: Internet Explorer is pretty much bound-into MS windows. You cannot uninstall it. So, it lurks behind the scene - and can still be exploited (even if you are browsing only with firefox). So, still crank up the security settings on it.

v!, I went in and declared 'use a proxy server' and IE quit loading web pages. I had to go back in and uncheck it.

I looked at the setup on Mrs. WO's laptop. She has both IE and Firefox. They both work but her's is also set to 'automatically detect settings and her Proxy thing is not checked.

Edit: I just realized that I did not uncheck the 'automatically detect settings' after I check 'use a proxy server'. This may have been an issue.

What is this proxy thing anyway?

 

[v1_0]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

What is this proxy thing anyway?

A good idea if you have young(ish) children that use the computer and know how to get to the internet.

Interesting that this should come up at this time. I am in the "planning" phase of putting one on my home network, for exactly the reason that I said it was a good idea...

You could conceptualize the proxy server much like one of the moderators in a certain forum.

The proxy server sits between the "client" computer (the ones the kids are on) and the internet (gateway). It monitors the web based request (http, port 80, come from internet browsers) and censors them according to rules that you have set up. Regardless of what you want to call it, it is censorship in the truest definition of the word. Now, this censorship can be based on specific keywords in the web request, specific web sites, or a range of websites. If the web address matches a rule, the request is locked... er.. deleted... no, its just blocked.

To make this effective - the client computer cannot access the internet directly, it must go through the proxy server. That's where the 'proxy' name comes into play - the client actually makes a request of the proxy server. The proxy evaluates the request, and, if it passes censorship, the proxy will reissue the request from its own address to the web server. When a response comes back - the proxy will acknowledge the response then reissue it to the client as if the proxy was the web server. Notice that the web server and the client NEVER communicate directly with each other. I'm not sure at this point (still in the planning phase of things) but it may be that some proxy servers merely *forward* the initial request and allow the web server to communicate directly with the client from that point forward, although this seems like it could be exploited somewhat.

Hope that helps.
-V

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

WizeOne, unless you are on a corporate network or using some weird router that has a proxy enabled by default (non that I know of do) then every browser you use should be set to NOT automatically determine proxy settings and to NOT use a proxy. In IE I believe that means ALL checkboxes are unchecked. In Firefox there is an option at the very top for the connection settings that is No Proxy.

If after doing this, it still doesn't work properly then you do have a virus or piece of malware that is 'pretending' to act as a proxy for your computer. You may have also HAD this one their once and whatever cleaning tools you used, didn't actually remove all references to it so Windows is trying to activate something that doesn't really exist anymore. I recommend you download SuperAntiSpyware to begin with and at least do a scan with that. It seems to be really good with identifying things like that and even picking up uncleaned references. If you have to, download it to another computer and burn to a CD to transfer to the bad one.

 

[i386]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

"Censoring" is a feature that one COULD use a proxy server for. Their main purpose is to "protect" the computers "behind". It's not a firewall, but you do use it as a gateway for web pages. The other main feature is performance. Proxy's cache information. If you request something that's already in its cache, you get it quickly over your fast local area network without the proxy having to connect to a site on the internet. This was really nice to have back when a fast internet connection was rare.

Here's what's important:

You don't have a proxy. Leave that blank.

You don't have a proxy. Uncheck the automatically detect thing. When that's checked, IE looks for a proxy server on your network every $#%^ time you open it. It delays opening your home page by a few seconds when you have that box checked. I don't know why Microsoft leaves that as a default setting. It's the stupidest thing.

 

[v1_0]

Re: If it isn't one thing....

"Censoring" is a feature that one COULD use a proxy server for. Their main purpose is to "protect" the computers "behind".

These two are *exactly* the features I am interested in. Muhahaha....

-V