Proxy Settings

Proxy servers speed up access to frequently visited websites by retrieving content saved from a previous request made by the same client or even other clients. Proxy servers function as intermediaries between web servers and clients, which significantly reduces bandwidth usage and cost while significantly increasing performance. This, in turn, makes it possible to offer students reduced rates in cooperation with certain cable Internet providers (e.g. UPC Telekabel’s Internet service "Chello"). Users accessing PowerNet via dial-up modem or wireless LAN as well as users of self-study areas can also use WU’s proxy server.

WU’s proxy server supports the following Internet services:

  • WWW (port 80): usually data that can be retrieved from a web server, e.g. websites and images.
  • FTP (port 21): usually data that can be retrieved from a file server, e.g. software files.

The aforementioned services cover the majority of data traffic. We do not offer a proxy server for peer-2-peer networks (such as MP3 filesharing), which have recently been growing in number. Data exchanged through this type of service is managed by your cable Internet provider. Please note download limits where they apply.

There are two ways to set up WU’s proxy server on your computer:

  • manually: proxy.wu.ac.at (port 8080)
  • automatically: using a proxy configuration script: http://www.wu.ac.at/cgi-bin/select-proxy.pac

We recommend the manual setup for "Chello" customers.

Proxy configuration for Mozilla Firefox 1.5

  • Select "Tools" from the menu.
  • Select the "General" tab in "Options".
  • Click the "Connection Settings" button and enter the proxy server you wish to use.
Manual configuration
  • Enter "proxy.wu.ac.at" as the HTTP proxy and "8080" as the port.
  • Click the "Use the same proxy for all protocols" button.
  • To finalize, click "OK" and restart your browser.
Proxy Firefox


Automatic configuration

  • Click the "Automatic proxy configuration URL" button and enter http://www.wu.ac.at/cgi-bin/select-proxy.pac.
  • To finalize, click "OK" and restart your browser.
Proxy Firefox


Proxy configuration for Microsoft Explorer (Version 5.x and higher)

  • Select "Internet Options" from the "Tools" menu.
  • Select "Connections" tab and click "LAN Settings"

If you are using a VPN or DUN connection to access The Internet at WU, please click "Settings" in the respective network.

Manual configuration
  • First, click "Use a proxy server for your LAN"
  • Click "Advanced" (Versions 6.x and higher, skip this step)
  • Enter "proxy.wu.ac.at" as the HTTP proxy and "8080" as the port.
  • Click the "Use the same proxy for all protocols" button.
  • To finalize, click "OK" and restart your browser.
Proxy Internet Explorer
Automatic configuration
  • First, click “Use a proxy server for your LAN”
  • Click "Advanced" (Versions 6.x and higher, skip this step)
  • Check "Use automatic configuration script" in the dialog box and enter the address http://www.wu.ac.at/cgi-bin/select-proxy.pac.
  • To finalize, click "OK" and restart your browser.
Proxy Internet Explorer