Hi everyone, I'm trying to setup a proxy server so that my computer appears to be accessing websites from the UK - but I have no idea how to do this...any help (OS X Leopard)
Thanks!
Thanks!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How to setup a proxy server
- Thread starter atacinus
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
First, you need to obtain a static IP address from a UK server. You can purchase IPs for an annual fee. One reputable company is SecurStar.com. The link is: http://www.securstar.com/products_ssolo.php
Although, I do not think they have servers located in the UK. Try a google search for UK specific proxies. Here is one I found: http://www.xroxy.com/proxy-country-GB.htm
Once you obtain a proxy, the proxy IP will provide a log-in ID and password to access your proxy IP account. Once you have this information, you need to set-up your Mac network settings so you can connect to the proxy server.
Open terminal and type the following command: ssh -ND "port number" "login ID provided by proxy ISP"
The port number and the login ID will be provided by your proxy service.
Terminal will then ask for the password. Type password and enter. Keep Terminal and running open since this is your login to the proxy IP.
Next you will need to set-up your network settings. The commands are: system preferences>network>advanced>proxies>check SOCKS Proxy>enter 127.0.0.1 in SOCKS Proxy Server and then the port number the ISP provides you. The port number goes in the data field next to the SOCKS Proxy Server. The port number in your network settings should be the same as the port number you typed into Terminal.
Open Safari and you should be connected using your proxy IP. Go to ipchicken.com or dnsstuff.com to verify you are using your static proxy IP. To revert to your regular ISP, you need to deselect SOCKS Proxy check box.
Another way, that's I've used to watch content on the BBC's iPlayer is just find a freebie proxy in the country of your choice, then open up Network Preferences in System Preferences.
From there, go to the Advanced button for the connection you're using, and click the "proxies" button at the top. Check the "web proxy HTTP" box on the right and enter the IP address of the proxy in the box to the right. If you need a login/pw, you can enter it there as well.
When doing it this way, I only go to the website I'm trying to use, and don't go to anything remotely secure, as all your traffic is going through some other server over there. This method also worked fine at college to connect to our library's internal proxy server for journal/publication article access.
From there, go to the Advanced button for the connection you're using, and click the "proxies" button at the top. Check the "web proxy HTTP" box on the right and enter the IP address of the proxy in the box to the right. If you need a login/pw, you can enter it there as well.
When doing it this way, I only go to the website I'm trying to use, and don't go to anything remotely secure, as all your traffic is going through some other server over there. This method also worked fine at college to connect to our library's internal proxy server for journal/publication article access.
You don't really need a static IP for the server, you can use a dynamic ip with a Dynamic DNS service such as dyndns.org
If you want to watch iplayer etc from abroad, and don't mind a non-free solution, I'd suggest it may be easier to use a commercial VPN service with UK servers. I use www.witopia.net and am very happy with it (you get to use both US and UK servers).
If you want to watch iplayer etc from abroad, and don't mind a non-free solution, I'd suggest it may be easier to use a commercial VPN service with UK servers. I use www.witopia.net and am very happy with it (you get to use both US and UK servers).
Thanks for the information - but I think it's still a little above my head...I basically want to watch streaming content from the UK as you've mentioned...but I'm not even really sure what an IP address is or how to find a UK one...sorry for sounding like a complete idiot...I guess I'll try to google around and find a solution.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Watching the BBC iplayer
Idiots guide to watching BBC iplayer and BBC desktop iplayer outside of the UK England or Britain or watching BBC iplayer in the USA EU etc. ...
There are no stupid questions only stupid answers = this may be one of them.
But having just suffered through the learning curve myself, this is what I think I know:
OK for newbies: IP = Internet Provider. The Beeb checks to see where in the world you are located. This is done by checking your IP address. Just like a post code. If your IP address is not in the UK, then no content downloaded to you. (After all the rest of us TV license holders are paying a fortune for this, and other content such as Hollywood produced shows is licensed to the BBC for use only in GB.) But lets say you are a license holder and just temporarily out of the country and want to keep abreast:
You do this by finding a "Proxy Server". This is just like renting a mail box at some shop in London that subsequently forwards your mail to you. Now you can either start the eternal search for a free pigeon hole or just step up and pay about £5/mo to rent said IP Proxy Server. Just Google "Proxy Servers Britain" and sign up.
When you sign up you will get 4 pieces of information: an IP address, a Port Number, a user name and a password.
Now much like having your mail forwarded, the Proxy Server forwards your content. You just point your computer to the new server and let the content flow to you.
For those who are uncomfortable messing with all the settings in the Mac. Here is one way to "limit the damage".
Use Safari for all your regular web surfing and keep it as your primary web browser.
Then also down load FoxFire web browser for your BBC listening only. Foxfire has the ability to set Proxy settings without disturbing the rest of the computer.
Once Foxfire is installed
1; click on the tool bar "Foxfire";
2; select "Preferences";
3; click on "network", click the "Settings" button.
4: Click the button for "Manual proxy configuration"
5: Enter the "IP address" and "Port number" given to you by the Proxy Service
6: Click on "OK" and the dialogue box closes
7; close the underlying dialogue box by Clicking the red button (upper right hand corner)
in the browser address bar enter "bbc.co.uk" and ENTER
You will be asked for your user name and password (given to you by the Proxy Server)
You are ready to watch the BBC embedded iplayer in the FireFox browser.
The "BBC desktop player" requires you directly changing the network settings
(if you want to do this you might first book an advanced appointment at the Mac Store Genus Bar to undo the potential damage)
for Mac OS 10.5 it is the following clicks:
"Apple";
"System Preferences";
"Network";
"Advanced";
"Proxies";
Configure Proxies "Manually";
In Proxies you need to select and fill out the info in "Web Proxy", "Streaming Proxy" and "Socks Proxy"
When done with the BBC site, you only need to UN-CLICK the "Web Proxy", "Steaming Proxy" and "Socks Proxy" buttons. And you are back in the USA or where ever...
Not really that difficult.
Idiots guide to watching BBC iplayer and BBC desktop iplayer outside of the UK England or Britain or watching BBC iplayer in the USA EU etc. ...
There are no stupid questions only stupid answers = this may be one of them.
But having just suffered through the learning curve myself, this is what I think I know:
OK for newbies: IP = Internet Provider. The Beeb checks to see where in the world you are located. This is done by checking your IP address. Just like a post code. If your IP address is not in the UK, then no content downloaded to you. (After all the rest of us TV license holders are paying a fortune for this, and other content such as Hollywood produced shows is licensed to the BBC for use only in GB.) But lets say you are a license holder and just temporarily out of the country and want to keep abreast:
You do this by finding a "Proxy Server". This is just like renting a mail box at some shop in London that subsequently forwards your mail to you. Now you can either start the eternal search for a free pigeon hole or just step up and pay about £5/mo to rent said IP Proxy Server. Just Google "Proxy Servers Britain" and sign up.
When you sign up you will get 4 pieces of information: an IP address, a Port Number, a user name and a password.
Now much like having your mail forwarded, the Proxy Server forwards your content. You just point your computer to the new server and let the content flow to you.
For those who are uncomfortable messing with all the settings in the Mac. Here is one way to "limit the damage".
Use Safari for all your regular web surfing and keep it as your primary web browser.
Then also down load FoxFire web browser for your BBC listening only. Foxfire has the ability to set Proxy settings without disturbing the rest of the computer.
Once Foxfire is installed
1; click on the tool bar "Foxfire";
2; select "Preferences";
3; click on "network", click the "Settings" button.
4: Click the button for "Manual proxy configuration"
5: Enter the "IP address" and "Port number" given to you by the Proxy Service
6: Click on "OK" and the dialogue box closes
7; close the underlying dialogue box by Clicking the red button (upper right hand corner)
in the browser address bar enter "bbc.co.uk" and ENTER
You will be asked for your user name and password (given to you by the Proxy Server)
You are ready to watch the BBC embedded iplayer in the FireFox browser.
The "BBC desktop player" requires you directly changing the network settings
(if you want to do this you might first book an advanced appointment at the Mac Store Genus Bar to undo the potential damage)
for Mac OS 10.5 it is the following clicks:
"Apple";
"System Preferences";
"Network";
"Advanced";
"Proxies";
Configure Proxies "Manually";
In Proxies you need to select and fill out the info in "Web Proxy", "Streaming Proxy" and "Socks Proxy"
When done with the BBC site, you only need to UN-CLICK the "Web Proxy", "Steaming Proxy" and "Socks Proxy" buttons. And you are back in the USA or where ever...
Not really that difficult.
hello everybody sorry for bringing back this thread.
i am really interested in creating a proxy server at home that can cache websites itself, the caching would prevent the need for requests for commonly used websites to use AS MUCH bandwidth as it normally would. i currently have a proxy java application but its not very advanced, it can only handle GET requests so its hardly useful.
does anybody have any idea where i could optain some open source software to do this? or something of that sort.
thanks in advance
edit: i have found a mac program named SquidMan that pretty much does everything i need! hopefully that will work for me
i am really interested in creating a proxy server at home that can cache websites itself, the caching would prevent the need for requests for commonly used websites to use AS MUCH bandwidth as it normally would. i currently have a proxy java application but its not very advanced, it can only handle GET requests so its hardly useful.
does anybody have any idea where i could optain some open source software to do this? or something of that sort.
thanks in advance
edit: i have found a mac program named SquidMan that pretty much does everything i need! hopefully that will work for me
Configuring a Company Proxy Server
Hie guys, i would also like to ask how i can Configure a Proxy server at work.
I would like to know
1. Which is the best Proxy Server software and after installing it will it show me a step by step way to configure a Proxy server.
2. Can i configure a Proxy server on a server which is already running another application and will it not slow down operations.
Thank You
Hie guys, i would also like to ask how i can Configure a Proxy server at work.
I would like to know
1. Which is the best Proxy Server software and after installing it will it show me a step by step way to configure a Proxy server.
2. Can i configure a Proxy server on a server which is already running another application and will it not slow down operations.
Thank You