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General

Virtual Private Network (VPN) FAQs

Select the topic below which best fits your needs, or browse through the collection of questions and answers.

return to topWhat is VPN?

VPN is an acronym that stands for Virtual Private Network. A virtual private network is a means of having a secure channel between your local computer, the one you are working at, and a remote network, a computer network at a location removed from your physical location.

return to topWhat is a VPN used for?

VPNs were developed in response to increases in the number and severity of security exploits, viruses, worms, and other malicious behavior on the Internet. A VPN is a means of protecting your data and the network you connect to.

return to topDo I have to use a VPN?

No. UW-Eau Claire users are not required to use a VPN. By using alternative methods to access your H: Drive, department drive (S: Drive), email, and other network resources, you can gain secure access without the use of a VPN.

return to topWhat alternative do I have to VPN?

To access email, Webmail is recommended (https://webmail.uwec.edu).

There are two methods to access your H: Drive. Both use a web browser such as Internet Explorer. One method allows read-only access. You can view and download files from your H: Drive as if it were a website. The second method provides read/write access. You can open, edit, save, create new, and delete files just as if they were in a folder on your local computer. This method works best in Windows with the most recent version of Internet Explorer. For more information on using these methods to access your H: drive, see Accessing Your H: Drive from Off Campus.

return to topWhere can I get a VPN?

A VPN is created by making a connection between your computer and a VPN server on campus. This requires a VPN client software program on your computer. If you are using Windows 2000 or XP there is a built-in utility. Other users can download a Cisco VPN client from http://networking.uwec.edu/. There are currently VPN clients available for Windows versions 98, ME, 2000 and XP, Macintosh OS X, Linux, and Solaris on SPARC.

return to topWhere can I get help with configuring, installing, using a VPN?

Documentation for configuring, installing, and using a VPN can be found as follows:

Technical support is available from the LTS Help Desk at (715)836-5711 – Old Library 1144.

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