Methods and apparatus for transparently managing outbound traffic from an
internal user of a private network destined for a public network are
disclosed. Embodiments include a firewall device operable between an
internal user of a private network and an IP-compliant network. The
firewall device being configured to assign a proxy agent to process a
request by the internal user to form a connection with a public network
element through the IP-compliant network. Disclosed embodiments include
the proxy agent forming a connection only if the internal user is
authorized to access the public requested network element.