WinProxy Technology

WinProxy 3.0 offers the latest technology in Internet connection sharing software, which allows users to connect multiple computers on a network to the Internet through a single point, using their existing service provider and user account. In addition to an installation that typically takes less than 10 minutes, WinProxy provides a wide array of enhanced features such as a built-in firewall for increased security, network-wide caching, centralized anti-virus protection, comprehensive web site filtering, user access controls and ad banner blocking.

• Ten-minute installation on most PCs. NEW WinProxy's advanced architecture provides all of the benefits of a state of the art application level proxy without the need to individually configure Internet applications to route through the proxy server. This technology eliminates the major drawback to proxy servers while preserving the ability to perform valuable and often required Internet access management functions such as user restrictions, virus checking and site filtering. There are NO special programs to install on the client machines; you just point machines at the PC serving as the proxy server and go. This lowers ongoing network administration and maintenance activities and their associated costs.
  
  
• New transparent proxy technology. NEW WinProxy combines the simplicity of Network Address Translation (NAT) technology with the flexibility and control of a classic proxy server. New transparent proxy technology eliminates the need to reconfigure applications or install special software on each client computer. Users see no difference in accessing the Internet. WinProxy provides a central point for Internet access control, and the advantages of an easy installation.
  
  
• Simultaneous and transparent access. NEW With WinProxy, the client computers on your network don't require special software and there's no need to configure individual applications. WinProxy works with any Internet service provider, including AOL and MSN. Users simply open their browsers or other Internet applications and they are automatically connected to the Internet. WinProxy is also compatible with email, chat, NetMeeting, and online games. Gone are the headaches of trying to make Internet connection sharing software work with highly interactive Web sites.
  
  
• Secure firewall and anti-virus protection. NEW WinProxy's firewall protects your network from Internet intruders and Net-borne viruses. Choose from predefined firewall security settings or customize to your networking needs. In this release, a free, six-month subscription to TrendMicro's popular virus-checking software is included, providing an extra network-level of virus protection for the PCs. This anti-virus protection guards against malicious code in email attachments and Internet downloads. You quarantine and disinfect files before they harm your network. Eliminate your worry about pesky, unwelcome viruses and intruders.
  
  
• Site restrictions. WinProxy powerful site filtering allows you to block access to sites containing objectionable material, an ideal feature for controlling Internet access in a home, school or business environment:
  
  
  • Site filtering. NEW WinProxy offers a free six-month subscription to Secure Computing's SmartFilter® Basic, which blocks access to objectionable sites in five predefined categories related to hate, criminal intent, sex, drugs, and extreme content. (You have the option of subscribing to an additional 22 categories and/or to extend your subscription beyond six months.) Users may also deselect specific sites from the SmartFilter list on an exception basis.
    
    
  • Site blacklisting. You can also use WinProxy's integrated Blacklist feature alone or in conjunction with Site Filtering to include additional sites in a list and make them also unavailable to users. These features help to eliminate parental worries about their children accessing the Internet and small business owner concerns about employee productivity losses.
    
    
  • Site whitelisting. NEW WinProxy's site whitelisting feature allows you to define the Web sites you want to be accessible to users on the network. Users can access those sites only. For example, teachers can define which Web sites students should visit as they research reports. Access to all other sites is blocked. Students stay focused on their project, not on surfing other site.
    
    
• User access control. Internet usage may be controlled and monitored on an individual and/or site basis, and access restricted by protocols (browsing, FTP, e-mail, chat, etc.) or time of day. Set restrictions for your children or employees, based on your preferences.
  
  
• Banner ad blocking. NEW WinProxy 3.0 offers users the option of blocking the majority of banner ads before they are downloaded. Each Web page will be displayed with content only, if this option is selected. WinProxy even readjusts the screen to fill in the gap left by the ad and helps avoid the delays associated with ad downloads.
  
  
• Games compatibility. NEW WinProxy supports multi-player game playing, including playing with others in your network or others on the Web. With WinProxy, you and another person can even play games on the Internet simultaneously!
  
  
• Optimized Internet connection. Advanced network-wide caching gives every user accelerated access to frequently visited sites. This can dramatically improve performance as WinProxy helps reduce the time spent waiting for favorite sites to download.
  
  
• Telephonic technical support. WinProxy offers technical support via telephone, email or an online SupportBase.

• Works with any ISP, including AOL
  
  
• Does not require a dedicated server
  
  
• Automatically loads and appears as an icon on the task bar on Windows 95/98 PCs
  
  
• Supports Mac, Unix and Linux clients
  
  
• Supports all popular email clients, including Eudora, Outlook and multiple mail servers
  
  
• Maintains a historical log of all connections
  
  
• Supports email and Web servers located behind the firewall
  
  
• Offers proxy cascading and mapped port support

• Any Internet connection, including modems, cable modems, DSL, ISDN, T1-T3, frame relay, wireless links.
  
  
• All popular protocols, including HTTP, Real Audio/Video, Mail (SMTP and POP3), FTP, News, Telnet, Socks, Secure Sockets (SSL), DNS, IMAP4, AOL, CompuServe and more.
  
  
• Any Internet service provider (ISP), including AOL and MSN.

Network Address Translation (NAT)
NAT technology is the simplest of all Internet connection technologies. NAT translates all the IP addresses used on an internal network into different return IP address for the Internet. It rewrites the addresses in the header of each outgoing (network to Internet) packet to reflect a new address and keep tracks of this change so it may route incoming packets to the correct machine. To maintain data integrity, every packet has a checking process that results in an error message if any portion of the package has been corrupted or modified. NAT advantages include its quick and easy installation, with no application adjustments required on client PCs.

With WinProxy, the NAT setting provides:

• Maximum application transparency: Nearly all applications will work automatically without reconfiguring their settings.
  
  
• Minimum control over Internet connection rights: Site filtering, anti-virus protection, caching, logging and user access control are not available.
  
  Classic Proxy Server
  A proxy server works by acting as the device that acts on behalf of other devices. A proxy server maintains two separate connections for a Web transaction-one from the internal network and one to the Internet. When a device in the internal network needs to connect to the Internet, it sends a request to the proxy server. The proxy answers the request and simultaneously initiates a connection request to the destination via an Internet service provider. Data is copied to and from the internal network and Internet connections until the transaction is complete. Because the only connected machine is the proxy server, the internal machines are protected from security invasions. The advantages of proxy server technology are its strong firewall, improved download times through caching and user access restriction features.
  
  With WinProxy, the proxy server setting provides:
  
  
• Minimum application transparency: All applications on all computers in the network must be configured to route through the proxy.
  
  
• Maximum control over Internet connection rights: Site filtering, anti-virus protection, caching, logging and user access control is automatically available for all protocols.
  
  Transparent Proxy
  The Internet connection sharing software available today is based on either proxy server or NAT technology. Each method offers its own advantages and disadvantages. While NAT provides basic Internet connection sharing and easy, server-only installation, it cannot match proxy server technology in offering features such as firewalls, anti-virus protection, user access, site filtering, banner blocking or caching to speed the download speed of frequently accessed pages. As Internet applications become more sophisticated, the ideal solution combines the advantages of each method to meet the demands of the multiple-PC network found in small businesses and homes. The advantages of transparent proxy include the ability to take advantage of the advanced features without configuring each computer's applications. This is the setting recommended for most users.
  
  With WinProxy, the transparent proxy setting provides:
  
  
• Maximum application transparency: Nearly all applications will work automatically without reconfiguring their settings.
  
  
• Maximum control over Internet connection rights: Site filtering, anti-virus protection, caching, logging and user access control are automatically available for all protocols.
  
  WinProxy also offers the Transparent Proxy--Web (HTTP & SSL), FTP and Mail Only option. This setting, recommended for advanced users, provides:
  
  
• Medium application transparency: Most Web, FTP and mail applications will work automatically without reconfiguring the settings. All other connections may be routed through a NAT or proxy. Applications routed through the proxy must be properly configured to be used.
  
  
• Medium control over Internet connection rights: Site filtering, anti-virus protection, caching, logging and user access control are automatically available for Web, FTP and mail protocols. All other connections must be routed through the proxy in order for these functions to be available.
  
  Most users will find the default transparent proxy client access method offers the ease of installation they desire and enables them to take full advantage of WinProxy's security, user access and site filtering features. However, WinProxy 3.0 also offers more sophisticated users the opportunity to customize the software to fit their needs.

• Built-in, pre-configured secure firewall
  
  
• Site restrictions that limit user access to objectionable Web sites,
  
  
• Centralized Anti-virus protection, á Caching to accelerate Internet downloads,
  
  
• Time-of-day restrictions that make the Internet inaccessible at certain times of the day,
  
  
• Protocol controls that limit access to chat rooms, email and FTP downloads,
  
  
• Automatic logging feature that tracks Internet usage, including sites accessed,
  
  
• Blocking of banner ad downloads

• High: Provides the highest available security. Maximum security from hacker attacks. Outgoing connections are limited to enabled WinProxy protocols. All UDP ports are closed. Applications using UDP must go through the proxy.
  
  
• Medium-High: Provides a high level of security, including maximum security against hacker attacks. Outgoing TCP/IP connections are permitted, except for file sharing. All UDP ports are closed. Applications using UDP must go through the proxy.
  
  
• Medium (DEFAULT): Medium security is recommended for most users. In addition to protecting against most hacker attacks, the medium setting allows outgoing TCP/IP connections, except file sharing. Incoming and outgoing UDP ports, except file sharing, are open.
  
  
• Medium-Low: This security level is the best choice for use with games. It protects against most hacker attacks, but allows outgoing TCP/IP connections, except file sharing. Incoming and outgoing UDP ports, except file sharing, are open.
  
  
• Low: This setting is not generally recommended, but is available for use with games where the medium-low setting does not work. Everything is permitted through the firewall, with limited protection against hacker attacks.
  
  WinProxy has been configured to accommodate the special needs of online gaming. Games that WinProxy currently supports are shown at the bottom of the Firewall settings screen. Advanced users have the option of customizing the firewall to accommodate specific applications.

• A comprehensive knowledge SupportBase (Click for SupportBase) that supports complex search criteria
• Web site (www.winproxy.com), with tips, FAQs and complete instructions on how to set
  up a local area network in your home or business.
• Built-in help files
• Online manual (PDF format) User Manual

• 3,5,10,25 and Unlimited user versions
• Intelligent install wizard simplifies installation & verifies connection set-up
• No application configuration
• NAT (Network Address Translation)
• DHCP server
• Transparent proxy
• Pre-configured client access methods
• Pre-configured firewall
• Improved games compatibility
• Centralized anti-virus checking
• DNS lookups cached to disk
• Time of day restrictions for always on connections
• Block weekend use
• Reduced client set-up
• Right mouse management of connections in view Active Connections screen
• View services enabled on Active Connection screen
• Site Filtering (parental control) for sex, hate speech, criminal intent, drugs and obscene/extreme
• Whitelist
• Banner blocking