About the IU VPN

• VPN basics
• Connecting to IU's SSL VPN

VPN basics

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to temporarily create or join a private network across an existing public network by creating an encrypted tunnel between two hosts. The encryption protects the data your computer or mobile device transmits and receives over the Internet, enabling secure remote access to restricted online resources.

Many public wireless networks (e.g., those provided by hotels and restaurants) are not encrypted, leaving transmitted data unprotected and vulnerable to electronic surveillance. Even data originating from a secure network (e.g., one provided by your employer or school) may be vulnerable if they are being transmitted to another secure network over the public Internet. To prevent data from being intercepted (especially confidential financial data, or data protected by federal laws, such as FERPA and HIPAA data) businesses, government offices, universities, and other institutions use VPN systems to encrypt data transmitted between their secure networks and remote users.

At Indiana University, UITS delivers a centrally managed, fault-tolerant SSL VPN service capable of meeting the VPN needs of all IU campuses. (Your campus may have additional or alternative VPN options; if you have questions or need help, contact your campus Support Center.)

Establishing a connection to the IU VPN effectively joins your off-campus computer or mobile device to the IU network, enabling access to online resources and services that are configured to refuse connections from outside the IU network.

Some examples of resources and services that require an IU VPN connection for off-campus access are:

• Print queues
• Some library databases
• Remote desktop connections
• Most network storage drives
• Administrative access to sensitive central systems (e.g., HRMS, SIS)

Whenever you are off campus and cannot connect to a service, establish a connection to the IU VPN and see whether that fixes the problem.

Connecting to IU's SSL VPN