Activate apt-get with proxy server in Ubuntu 12.04 LTS

Setting up the proxy server temporarily

#export http_proxy=http://yourproxyaddress:proxyport

BASH rc method

This method adds a two lines to your .bashrc file in your $HOME directory. This method is useful if you would like apt-get and other applications for instance wget, to use a http-proxy.

gedit ~/.bashrc
Add these lines to the bottom of your ~/.bashrc file (substitute your details for yourproxyaddress and proxyport)


http_proxy=http://yourproxyaddress:proxyport
export http_proxy
Save the file. Close your terminal window and then open another terminal window or source the ~/.bashrc file:

source ~/.bashrc
Test your proxy with sudo apt-get update and whatever networking tool you desire. You can use firestarter or conky to see active connections.

If you make a mistake and go back to edit the file again, you can close the terminal and reopen it or you can source ~/.bashrc as shown above.


source ~/.bashrc