Connection Preferences

If you access the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), you most likely will not need to make any changes to the server or proxy sections of the Connection Preferences. However, if you access the Internet through a Local Area Network firewall (for example, at your workplace), then your network administrator may need to configure the proxy section of the Connection Preferences.

You can set these options:

Server

Direction Connection:  Lets you connect directly to the server.

Using proxy: If you select this option, the AOL Instant Messenger (SM) software activates the proxy server controls.  Proxy servers serve as firewalls for extra security protection for some businesses and organizations.

Proxy Server:

Protocol:  Specify whether your proxy server uses the SOCKS 4, SOCKS 5, HTTP, or HTTPS protocol.

Authentication: