share a proxy

[snw]

I know this isn't exactly pc hardware talk but...

Do any of you know of a program to share a internet connection that is made through a proxy server?
I'm looking for this for a friend of mine who lives on a school and gets his connection trough a proxy server and wants to connect more than one computer to have internet access on.
He has to pay for every IP and only gets access to internet from one computer. The problem is that the proxy has authentication. I tried wingate but it only can connect trough a proxy without authentication. So if any of you know a program or some other way to share a connection through a proxy server with authentication it would be great! =) Thanks!

[Xayd]

The only way I can think of to seamlessly do such a thing would be with a Linux/Unix box, since you could script the logon process. That'd be a rather large can o' worms if you have no experience with shell scripts in a Unix environment, though. If the first machine that connects must authenticate the common windows sharing programs (as you've seen) will be a no-go.

I assume you've tried just using a hub or switch and connecting twice that way? It's possible that the school doesn't restrict multiple logins.

[Jazz]

You could take a look at cliser (at http://www.mosha.net/) or similar solutions (socks2http with SocksCap32 etc).

Some important remarks though:
1. This will make you dependent on an uncertain service by a third party which may disappear at any point in time.
2. Your data will go via a third party server, and will therefore be visible to them. This includes usernames, passwords, the works. Make sure you're OK with that. (Normally you won't)
3. Most importantly, there is a big possibility this violates policies of your local LAN administrator. You can get into big trouble doing this. Make sure it's worth it. (Normally it isn't)

[snw]

Thanks for the answers!
I have no experience at all in Linux so thats not an option... Multiple logins is not restricted but I only get one IP/network card and have to pay for more. Controlled by the cards MAC address...
We used http-tunnel a time, but when most of the connections on the school just went to http-tunnel.com they have now blocked it. I will take a look at cliser. If you know any similar tool to socks2http and the personal gateway they have, but free, please tell me =)

[dbernat32]

Might I suggest WinGate.

According to their webpage, it supports any connection type including proxy with authentication.

http://www.wingate.com

--David

[Xayd]

So you have to authenticate with both a username and password IN ADDITION to having the nic's MAC address registered with them?

Sheesh, paraniod aren't they ;).

One thing you might try is one of the broadband routers out there, specifically Linksys. Since many cable companies also authenticate by MAC address, these routers have the ability to emulate a nic's MAC address.

So, in essence, anything passing through the router would appear to be originating from whatever MAC address you specify in the router. If it's also requiring a username/password authentication, I honestly don't know whether the router would pass that through properly or not, but it's worth a shot.

If you've got a Best Buy or CompUSA closeby (think 30 day no-questions return policy in case it doesn't work ;)) it's definitely worth a try. Those routers aren't very expensive anymore, you could probably find a 4 port model for about 50 to 60 dollars.