Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing access to a remote network. In a preferred embodiment, a system and method in accordance with the present invention allows a local host on the private network to transparently access the remote network and permit multiple users in the local network to simultaneously access the remote network. This access is based upon the requirements of an application utilizing a mass storage device within the private network. This system allows for user security on the private network.In one aspect, the method and system allow a private network to access a remote network. The private network has a plurality of components. At least one the plurality of components has a mass storage device. In this aspect, the method and system comprise providing an internet appliance and providing a portion of the mass storage device of the at least one of the plurality of components. The portion of the mass storage device is shareable with and mapped to the internet appliance.