MSN links (g.msn.com) bypassing Proxy Server

[Junco Pardner]

I work with a company that has a shared internet connection, using
WinRoute's proxy server. All browsers are set up to go through the proxy
server. Just recently, though, some of the users pointed out that most of
the links off www.msn.com (the ones that start with http://g.msn.com and
redirect you to another site) aren't working. I've checked the WinRoute
log, and somehow those users' browsers are sending out requests directly
from their computer to the site that the g.msn.com link redirects you to; so
the packets are being dropped - IE is bypassing the proxy server for some
reason.

Does anyone have any advice on how to fix this? Is there some sort of
setting to ensure that ALL traffic is sent through the proxy server, even
for redirected links like this? Thanks for any advice.

 

[J L]

You're certain that g.msn.com isn't in the "Exceptions" list in your IE
Properties Proxy Server settings?

Is it safe to assume you're using WinRoute for HTTP proxying? I too use
WinRoute, but not for HTTP proxying. If this was on only a single machine,
I would suggest an IE reinstall. On multiple machines, all I don't think it
could have anything to do with WinRoute. But, it's a very odd configuration
mistake if it is so.

I also assume you don't allow your users to use port 80 and force them to
use the proxy.

Jim

 

[Junco Pardner]

Thanks for your reply. I'll double check tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure that
g.msn.com isn't on the exceptions lists on these computers - most of the
exception lists are empty except for a couple computers where I listed one
of our vendor's sites. Your assumptions are all correct - I'm using
WinRoute for HTTP proxying and force users to go through it, so I can
authenticate them. Anyway, I'm stumped - I figure it has to be a browser
issue, since WinRoute is showing that the users' computers are trying to use
port 80 instead of the port on the proxy server, so WinRoute is doing what
it's supposed to and dropping the packet. I figure I'll install Mozilla
tomorrow and see if I have the same problem - I'd like to have it working in
IE though. Thanks for your suggestion about the exception list, I'll check
that again!