Find out more information about the usage of VPN technology.

https://sslvpn.sc.edu/facstaff/

Need to use VPN on your iPhone/iPad...Click here!

What is VPN? 
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.  It's a technology that was put in place so that people could remotely access resources (files, shares, etc...) that are located at a remote location securely. 

Analogy: Think of the internet as the wild west.  If you needed to send gold from California to Washington DC, you'd hire a security company to accompany your wagon during the delivery to protect the gold from being stolen. 

VPN kind of works that way.  It protects your transmission from hackers as it moves along the internet and it also makes sure that your route doesn't get diverted all in attempts to deliver and receive information accurately and safely.

What can I  use it for?
You can connect and authenicate using vpn and access the files on your desktop (if you have a desktop), COSW share folders, or COSW home directories.  You can work on files from home that are located on the COSW servers.   
If you have a desktop, using vpn, you can connect directly to it and control it just like you were sitting in front of it.

How do I access VPN?
Bring up a web browser and go to the following site:

https://sslvpn.sc.edu/facstaff/

DIRECTIONS:
If you’ve contacted IT about vpn connection, we’ve created a folder on your desktop called “Connect to My Office”.  Open this folder.  It has three icons (shortcuts) that you have to start (in sequence) in order to establish and use the vpn connection. 

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION BEFORE YOU START THIS PROCESS.  TO TEST, SEE IF YOU CAN SURF THE INTERNET.


The first step is, of course, “1. Establish VPN Connection”.



When you double click on “1. Establish VPN Connection” it will bring up a webpage.  The first time that you access this site it will pop up and say that it needs to install an activex object.  INSTALL ACTIVEX OBJECT (take all defaults). 



Once the install is completed, it will prompt you to login.  USE YOUR USC USERID AND PASSWORD.


After you are signed in, the webpage will look like this:



The second step is, Double click on “2. Connect to My Computer”.



Connecting



Once it has connected, you’ll be prompted to sign in with your credentials. USE YOUR USC USERID AND PASSWORD.



The third step is occurs after you’re done working on your computer, disconnect from the computer and SIGN OUT of VPN.



Click the sign out button on the VPN webpage.



That's it.