Abstract: A system 100 for automated configuration of access to a wide area network (80) including an application server computer (112), a communications link (90) providing a signaling pathway for application server computer (112) over a wide area network (80), and a control center (134) accessible by the wide area network (80). The control center (134) is adapted to automatically detect the presence of application server computer (112) on the wide area network (80). Control center (134) is also adapted to provide automatic registration, configuration and protection of the application server computer (112) so that said one or more users are able to achieve access to and use of the wide area network (80). Application server computer (112) includes an interface to the wide area network (128), control software (130) for detecting the type of connection available, and a means for storing user configuration and security information (132).