INFORMATION FOR MACINTOSH OSX (10.3 and 10.4) USERS

There are two ways in which Macintosh users will be able to utilize the benefits of Findnot. You should use the method that best meets your user and application requirements:

VPN - Virtual Private Network
SSH Tunnel

Method 1: Connect via VPN.

Note: This method works for ANY Mac application that connects to the Internet (browsers, mail, newsreaders, etc.). When you use VPN, the Findnot server always changes your IP (from the user's to Findnot's IP). However, the data transmission between the your local Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the Findnot server IS NOT ENCRYPTED. This level of protection is equivalent to using an anonymous proxy.

Open the Finder window. Select "Applications". Under Applications, choose and launch the application "Internet Connect". "Internet Connect" should appear to the right of the blue apple on top left side of your screen.
From the "File" pull-down menu, select "New VPN Connection." When you are prompted to select between "L2TP over IPSec" or "PPTP", choose "PPTP".
In the window (appearing on your screen), highlight the "VPN(PPTP) lock" icon at the top.
1. In the "Description:" field, enter "Findnot".
2. . In the "Server Address:" field, enter the address for a findnot server of your choice (for example, "vpn4.findnot.com".) Click here for a complete list of available servers
3. In the "Account Name" field, enter your Findnot User ID; remember it is case sensitive.
4. In the "Password" field, enter your Findnot Password; remember it is case sensitive.
5. . Check the option that says "Show VPN status in menu bar".
In the window, press the "Configuration:" drop-down menu and select "Edit Configurations". Correct any errors you made in steps 3a to 3e. Be sure that the "Encryption:" drop-down menu is set to "None". The encryption methods shown in this drop-down menu are not compatible with the Findnot servers. Click the "OK" button.
Click "Connect". If you cannot connect after 3 tries then check your Account Name and Password. From time to time, a specific Findnot server may not be accepting connections. If you find that you cannot connect to a given server, change the "Server address:" to a different Findnot server and try again. Also, always check your Findnot User ID and Password for accuracy.
To test that the VPN connection through Findnot is working properly, use your browser to go to one of the many IP-checking sites, such as http://www.stilllistener.addr.com/checkpoint1/ .

Method 2: Connect via SSH Tunnel using SOCKS4 Proxy.

Note: This method works only with applications that are "SOCKS4-ready". Check with the author/source of the program to determine this. Apple's Safari browser IS compatible, so the instructions shown here will be for you to use Safari with an SSH Tunnel and SOCKS4 Proxy connected to the Internet through a Findnot server. This method will change your IP to Findnot's IP. The transmission between your local ISP and the Findnot server IS ENCRYPTED. Warning: this method works only for Mac applications that are "SOCKS4-ready". Applications that are not "SOCKS4-ready" will NOT use the SSH Tunnel, will not connect to the Internet through the Findnot server and, thereby, your IP will not be disguised.

Download the SSH Tunnel software called "Tunnel Manager". It is available from tynsoe.org here: http://projects.tynsoe.org/en/stm/download.php . Version 2.0b3 (beta) appears to work well. After you download, store it in your Applications folder. There is no cost for this software.
Launch Tunnel Manager. "Tunnel Manager" should appear to the right of the blue apple on top left side of your screen.
From the "Window" pull-down menu at the top of your screen, select "Show tunnels". The "SSH Tunnels" window will open on your screen.
Click the small button "Configuration" at the bottom of the "SSH Tunnels" window. This will open a second window titled "Preferences." This window can also be opened from the "SSH Tunnel Manager" pull-down menu by selecting "Preferences".
In the "Preferences" window, use the "+" button to add each Findnot server location. You will now set up the tunnels, one for each Findnot server to which you will want to connect. In the beginning, you will probably want to set up only one Findnot server; later, you may want to load a number of Findnot servers so that you can easily change your pattern, using a variety of Findnot server locations. In the window that is open, you will enter the following:
1. In the "Name:" field, enter whatever you wish to identify the server you have selected.
2. In the "Login:" field, enter your Findnot User ID. If your ID contains one or more upper case alphabetic characters, they should be entered in lower case.
3. In the "Host:" field, enter the address for a server of your choice (for example, vpn4.findnot.com.) Click here for a complete list of available servers
4. In the "Port:" fleld, enter "80".
5. Click on the "Options..." button in the lower right of the "Preferences" window. The window will expand with additional fields appearing on the right side.
  1. Check "Handle authentication".
  2. Check "Enable SOCKS4 proxy".
  3. Enter a port number in the field directly below. Enter the number "1088".
  4. In the "Crypt method:" drop-down menu, select "Blowfish".
  5. In the upper left corner of the "Preferences" window, check "Open tunnels list at run time."
  6. If you wish to add additional Findnot servers, click on the "+" button and follow steps 5a through 5e for each. When finished, close the window.
Launch Safari. Under the "Safari" pull-down menu, select "Preferences". In the window that appears, click on "Advanced".
At the bottom of the "Advanced" window, at "Proxies:", click on the "Change Settings..." button.
The "Network" window will appear. Here are the settings for this window:
1. In the field "Location:", the drop-down menu should be set for "Automatic".
2. In the field "Show:", the drop-down menu should be set for "VPN(PPTP)".
3. In the button choice below, click on "Proxies".
4. In the scroll window on the left side, find and check "SOCKS Proxy".
5. In the entry box under "SOCKS Proxy Server", enter "127.0.0.1".
6. In the entry box to the right of the ":", enter "1088".
7. Click the "Apply Now" button. Close the "Network" and "Advanced" windows.
In the Tunnel Manager "SSH Tunnels" window, select the Findnot server to which you want to connect by clicking on the "arrow" button to the right of the name. A yellow indicator will appear to the left of the name. As soon as the server recognizes your User ID, a pop-up window will appear requesting your Password. Enter your password; remember it is case sensitive. When the server is connected to your tunnel, the yellow indicator will turn green. If you cannot connect after 3 tries then check your Account Name and Password. From time to time, a specific Findnot server may not be accepting connections. If you find that you cannot connect to a given server, select another server from the "SSH Tunnels" window (being able to switch servers quickly is another reason to load multiple Findnot servers in Tunnel Manger during the set-up process). Also, always check your Findnot User ID and Password.
Safari (and other SOCKS4-ready applications) should now operate through your SSH tunnel. To test that the tunnel connection through Findnot is working, use Safari to go to one of the many IP-checking sites, such as http://www.stilllistener.addr.com/checkpoint1/ .
Depending on the firewall software you have running on your Mac, you may receive a request from your firewall to open port 1088. You should give your permission.