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VPN Information Center
The University of South Carolina provides secure access available
with a VPN client for University resources to faculty, staff, students
and sponsored vendors/guests.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is a Virtual Private Network. A VPN should not to be confused
with a truly private network where someone completely owns the infrastructure
(i.e. wires) between locations and no one else can use it. Typically
a VPN is used when some part of the path crosses a public network
such as the Internet or, in the case of wireless, “airspace”. (This
doesn’t have to be the case; a VPN connection can be established
across a truly private network for added security). The VPN builds
an encrypted "tunnel" through a public/private network
which provides the necessary confidentiality (this prevents snooping),
sender authentication (this prevents identity spoofing),
and data integrity for secure access to private resources.
In other words, encrypting data through VPN, whether the data
is non-critical or critical/confidential, protects it from unauthorized
persons trying to gain unauthorized access to data being sent or
received over a public/private network.
The VPN client is needed to access the University Wireless
network. This will automatically download when using University
wireless for the first time.
The VPN client is also available to faculty and staff
who need to access information securely through the University.
This software is for use on University-owned computers
only. It is not licensed for use on personal computers
unless otherwise specified.
To download, follow these instructions:
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Click Technology
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Under Software and Technology Information,
click Show Me Software Distribution.
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Click Software for Work
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Choose Security – Faculty/Staff
and click the + button.
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Under Cisco VPN, choose your operating
system.
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Include the necessary information. (NOTE:
The VPN is a free download but a department and fund
number is needed for verification. There are no charges
associated with this download)
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Follow the prompts to continue the installation.
If you have questions or need help with the
VPN client, please contact the UTS Help Desk
at (803) 777-1800 or e-mail helpdesk@sc.edu
.
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Click here
for more information about how the Cisco VPN Client works.

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