Help Desk
SBCEO Proxy/Filter Server
Last Update: 12/26/00

Use the SBCEO Network Proxy/Filter to reduce access to pornography on the Internet and improve Internet response time. See instructions below for configuring web browsers to access the proxy/filter service.

The SBCEO Network now has the capability to cache frequently accessed web pages, and the ability to provide filtered access to the Internet. Users of the SBCEO Network can take advantage of this service by pointing their web browser to the SBCEO proxy/filter server.

The "proxy" part of the server stores frequently accessed web pages (accessed by SBCEO Network users). When any web browser user of the SBCEO Network goes to a site on the Internet that has already been previously accessed, the proxy server determines that it has the page of the site that the user is going to and immediately returns the page that was stored in the proxy server to the user.

The "filter" part of the server provides filtered access to the Internet. The list of filtered sites focuses on sites that are not suited for our K-12 user base (pornography, nudity, gambling, etc.).

What is a Proxy/Filter Server ?

A proxy server is a special server that typically runs inside an ISP network. The proxy waits for a request from a client inside the ISP (SBCEO Network), forwards the request to the remote server outside the ISP (Internet), reads the response and then sends it back to the client. This "filtering" process also provides content control. The SBCEO Network proxy will help control access to and from objectionable or XXX rated websites.

Why is a Proxy Server Faster?

The same proxy is used by all the clients within a given network. This makes it possible for the proxy to do efficient caching of documents that are frequently requested by a number of clients. This cuts down on network traffic since many of these documents will be retrieved from a local cache once the initial request has been made.

If you access a website not normally visited by anyone on the SBCEO Network, you will find that the page will download faster. This is because the page is downloaded to the SBCEO Network server at T1 speeds so the time window for network disruptions/problems is less. The SBCEO Network's internal network is nowhere near capacity, so you should see better speeds as well.

If you find a website which contains questionable content that should be included in the proxy filtering list e-mail support@sbceo.org with the URL for that site. The site's content will be reviewed to see if it is below SBCEO content standards.

Automatic Proxy Configurations

Netscape 2.0xNetscape 3.0x
Netscape 4.0x and later versions
Internet Explorer 

  • Netscape 2.0X
    1. Open Options ->Network Preferences ->Proxies.
    2. Click the radio button for Automatic Proxy Configuration.
    3. Under Configuration Location (URL): enter the following URL: http://www.sbceo.org/netscapeproxy.pac
    4. Select the Cache tab.
    5. Click on the Clear Cache Memory Now button and click OK to the message window.
    6. Click OK to close the Network Preferences window.
    7. Go back to Options and select Save Options.

Netscape 3.0X

  1. Open Options->Network Preferences->Proxies.
  2. Click the radio button for Automatic Proxy Configuration.
  3. Under Configuration Location (URL): enter the following URL: http://www.sbceo.org/netscapeproxy.pac
  4. Click Reload.
  5. Select the Cache tab.
  6. Click on the Clear Cache Memory Now button and click OK to the message window.
  7. Click OK to close the Network Preferences window.
  8. Click Ok.

Netscape 4.0X and later versions

  1. Click on Edit->Preferences.
  2. Click on Advanced.
  3. Select Proxies.
  4. Click on the Automatic proxy configuration radio button.
  5. Under Configuration Location(URL): enter http://www.sbceo.org/netscapeproxy.pac
  6. Next, select Cache and click on Clear Cache Memory Now. Click on OK to the delete message.
  7. Click Ok

Internet Explorer

There are several procedures for configuring Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Early versions can be configured directly from the application by going to View and selecting Options as noted below.

Later versions of Internet Explorer must be configured using the Internet Guide which is located in the Control Panel.

Internet Explorer 3.0X and earlier versions
  1. Open View->Options.
  2. Highlight the Connections file tab.
  3. Click on the Settings button.
  4. In the http protocol line, enter http://www.sbceo.org in the first box and 3128 in the port box.
  5. Click Ok
The following is a guide using the Internet Guide. When setting the proxy server manually enter http://www.sbceo.org for the proxy url and 3128 for the port assignment.

Internet Explorer 3.01 - 4.x
  1. Select the Start button in the lower left corner of the desktop.
  2. Select Settings and click on Control Panel.
  3. Double click the Internet icon.
  4. Select the Connection tab. In the connection window place a check by Access the Internet using the proxy server.
  5. In the Address: box enter http://www.sbceo.org. In the Port: box enter 3128. Hit Ok.
You now have Internet Explorer configured. The Connection window should look like this:
Internet Explorer 5.0 - and later versions
  1. Select the Start button in the lower left corner of the desktop.
  2. Select Settings and click on Control Panel.
  3. Double click the Internet Options icon.
  4. Select the Connection tab. In the connection window highlight your SBCEO account and click on settings.
  5. In the SBCEO Settings window under Proxy server, place a check by Use a proxy server.  In the address: box enter http://www.sbceo.org. In the Port: box enter 3128.
  6. The SBCEO Settings window should look like this:
  7. Hit Ok.
You now have Internet Explorer configured.
Internet Explorer on Mac OS X
  1. Open the System Preferences from the the Apple Menu.
  2. Click on the Network icon.
  3. From the Configure pull-down menu, select your connection method.
  4. Click on the Proxies tab.
  5. Check the checkbox next to Web Proxy (HTTP).
  6. Enter www.sbceo.org for Web Proxy. Do not enter http://.
  7. Next to Port, enter 3128.
  8. Click Apply Now.
  9. Setting your System Preferences allows your browser to detect your Proxy Settings automatically.
  10. Mac OS X proxy settings should look like this if you are connected to the internet via Dial-up:

  11. Mac OS X proxy settings should look like this if you are connected to the internet via LAN:

© Santa Barbara County Education Office