Are You Connected to a VPN?

Establishing a safe and secure network connection should be a high priority when connecting to Wi-Fi or the internet. A great way to do this is by connecting to a virtual private network, or VPN, which provides a private and secure network using encryption over a public network.  

While this may sound complex, using a VPN is a very simple process that anyone can do to safely access the internet. Whether you are studying on your laptop or perusing social media via your cell phone on a public Wi-Fi network, using a VPN is a helpful tool that will keep your information secure while prohibiting access from unauthorized users.  

The university uses GlobalProtect VPN for accessing secure university resources, which is available to faculty, staff and students at no cost. Visit the IT Services website to download GlobalProtect on your phone, laptop or other device. There are also a wide range of VPNs available to download on your personal laptop/computer, the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.  

For faculty and staff, a VPN is required for accessing on-campus remote desktops, servers or other resources. Please note that access to your home or non-university printers, network drives, etc., will be blocked while connected to the VPN. 

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! The month of October is dedicated to providing resources and awareness to help people around the country stay safe online. Everyone can take simple steps to protect themselves when using technology and the internet such as identifying and reporting phishing emails, using MFA and keeping your software updated. For more tips and information on how you can stay cyber safe, visit the IT Services cybersecurity checklist or the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).