# Connecting to the Internet

To view information on the Internet, you need a physical connection between your computer and the Internet. There are several ways you can make this connection. For example, you can use a modem and a telephone line, or you can use a local network. Once you know how you’ll connect to the Internet, you can install the software you need and set up your connection.

You can set up a connection by using the Internet Connect program included with the Mac OS. After you set up a connection, you can also use Internet Connect to establish a connection between your computer and your Internet service provider (ISP). An Internet service provider is a company that provides Internet connections. For help with the Internet Connect program, see Mac Help.

If you’re connecting to the Internet through a local network, you might need to connect through a proxy server. A proxy server is typically used in corporate computing environments in which the local network is isolated from the Internet by a firewall. In this case, you must obtain the proxy server settings from your network administrator. After you have established a physical connection to the Internet, you must then specify the settings for your proxy server.

Related topics

Specifying proxy server settings

Specify proxy server settings

1. Get your proxy server address, port number, and connection method from your network administrator for the following protocols: Web, Secure, Mail, and Gopher.
2. On the Explorer menu, click Preferences.
3. Under Network, click Proxies.
4. In the Use Proxy Servers area, select the check box next to each protocol for which you want to use a proxy server, and then enter the settings for the proxy server.

   For help on an option, click .

Related topics

Connecting to the Internet

Setting up multiple connections