The University of Michigan provides a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for students, faculty, and staff to securely access university resources while on- or off-campus. Using the U-M VPN helps protect your data and identity for several reasons:
- Secure Access to Resources: The U-M VPN allows you to securely access resources that are restricted to university IP addresses from any location. This can include library databases, research systems, and internal websites that would otherwise be inaccessible or less secure when accessed from a non-university network.
- Keeps Your Data Private: It encrypts, or scrambles, what you're sending over the Internet so that other people can't easily read it.
- Makes Public Wi-Fi Safer: When you're using Wi-Fi at an off-campus location like a coffee shop or airport, the VPN helps protect your information from hackers who might be on the same network.
When should you use the U-M VPN?
Eligible members of Michigan Engineering have remote access to certain CAEN computer lab services, including:
When using these services, the U-M VPN is required depending on your location and/or which network you are connecting from (e.g. off-campus networks). For example:
- If you are on the U-M Wi-Fi network, you will not need to use the U-M VPN service.
- If you are not on U-M Wi-Fi or are connecting from an off-campus location, you must first connect to the U-M VPN first.
Learn more about U-M Wi-Fi networks.
Which VPN profile should you use?
- ITS recommends to select the UMVPN - Only U-M Traffic profile when working off-campus. This profile allows access to most campus networks, including those used by CAEN remote access services, but prevents the processing of excess network traffic.
- If you strictly need access to on-campus services, or are having trouble accessing certain on-campus or specific departmental services, use the UMVPN - All Traffic profile.
Learn more about VPN profiles here
Why do you need to use VPN?
U-M has security rules in place to keep the campus network safe from outside intruders or hackers. Many protocols for connecting remotely are affected, so if you want to use a campus service that is blocked from off-campus access, you will need to first authenticate using the U-M VPN. Refer to Getting Started with the VPN for more information.