Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Overview

Eligibility

All members of the University can use the VPN.

Duo two-factor authentication is required to log in.

The VPN lets you access university and external services that are normally only available when on campus. These include:

• Filestore
• Restricted web apps - applications which normally require you to be on campus to use them, eg MyView
• Terminal sessions - SSH sessions to machines on campus, and remote desktop sessions to Windows machines 
• Licence servers - enables use of software that requires access to the University's licence servers 
• External services that require the user to be at York such as journal websites

Getting started

You can connect to the VPN using software called GlobalProtect.

If you are using a University managed laptop then GlobalProtect is already installed and configured, so you can get connected straight away.

For unmanaged and personal devices you will need to download install the GlobalProtect VPN software before connecting:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• Chromebook
• iOS
• Android

Log in with your University username (eg abc500) and password. You will then be prompted for your Duo authentication method.

When you're connected to the VPN, all traffic from your computer, tablet etc goes through the VPN, regardless of whether you are accessing York services, or other internet based resources. This allows you to take advantage of the University's high performance network connectivity and provides you extra layers of security during VPN sessions.

Whilst connected to the VPN you may not be able to access resources local to you, so if you are on another campus or large network you may have to disconnect from the VPN to use local resources. You cannot connect to two VPNs at the same time.

Request VPN access to your service

Not all university services are available whilst connecting to the VPN. There is a firewall between connected users and campus. Members of the University can request services be available to all VPN users, a specific group of users or users that perform an additional security by contacting the IT Helpdesk.

Requests to allow a service on the VPN will receive an initial response within a working day but take up to 5 working days to become active.

Access to your service can be limited to a specific group of people if required.

Help & troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

Library & IT Help Desk

If you're having problems using the VPN, get in touch with the Library & IT Help Desk.

Our commitments

Your responsibilities

Please remember, while you are connected to the VPN, you are subject to University regulations, including University Regulation 11: Use of computing facilities and acceptable use policies:

• University Information Policy index

Connecting to the VPN is the same as plugging your machine into the campus network:

• You will have access to University of York resources as well as internet access but you won't be able to access anything you can't access when at the University (eg blocked sites).
• While connected, the University's terms and conditions apply to all your internet usage and network activity.
• While connected, all your web traffic goes through the University, and may be intercepted, filtered and logged according to the University's policy (Regulation 11.10 and additional guidance).
• While connected you will appear to internet websites to come from a UK source, regardless of where you physically are in the world. This will enable VPN users abroad to access services such as Google Mail, even if that country has restrictions in place.

Where a service has been allowed on VPN:

• Inform IT Services if the service is no longer required on the VPN

Where specific group access has been set up:

• Ensure that the group members are kept up to date