Getting SSH Proxy to Work Under Vista

Download putty first. Then created the Dynamic Port Entry like so:



and grabbed a copy of FoxyProxy for Firefox so that your proxies do the right thing on demand. All is well, except you're constantly getting "Empty return from Server" or "The proxy server is refusing connections", and now you're starting to really think hard about installing XP. (Granted, you probably should, but let's assume that's not an option.)

Well, turns out that Vista is again being "helpful". (i have a long standing hatred of things that are "helpful" because they usually just get in the way. While this can be cathartic when driving steam rollers, it's often less so when you're working on software.)

First, the proxies. Chances are VERY good that this is enough to get you going: You need to use 127.0.0.1 as your localhost address rather than localhost.

This is because Vista "helpfully" configures IP6 above IP4. (IP6's version of "localhost" is "::1:", but i'm pretty sure that putty will choke on that.)

Change your Proxy Host Name and things should work just fine.

If not, you'll need to punch a hole through your local firewall for that port. (thanks to The Great FB who provided that tip). To do that, you'll need to go to your Control Panel (seriously, switch to classic view. You're not an idiot.), Windows Firewall, then click on the Allow a program through Windows Firewall on the left side. (this will bring up the Settings/Exceptions tab) and [Add port...] Name: Proxy ; Port number: 1080 (or whatever port you're using) ; (*) TCP ;[OK]

That got me online and hopefully you too.