Go to USC home page USC Logo GET CONNNECTED AT USC: UNIVERSITY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
DIVISION OF IT | OFFICE OF IT | GET CONNECTED | UTS HOME
UTS MAIN MENU

POPULAR LINKS

DEPARTMENTS

SERVICES & SUPPORT

NEWS & INFORMATION

A-Z INDEX
 

CONNECTED HOME

WIRED NETWORK
Student
  Faculty & Staff

WIRELESS NETWORK

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

TROUBLESHOOTING

NETWORK DO'S & DON'TS

PHONE SERVICES

OFF-CAMPUS CONNECTIONS

VPN INFO CENTER
USC   THIS SITE
 
  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 Cisco VPN Client is needed to access the University Wireless network. If you need to download this, please select your operating system and "Install Now." Instructions are available for your convenience.
Operating System Cisco VPN Configuration Cisco VPN Client
Microsoft Windows XP/2000 Instructions Install Now
Macintosh OS 10.2 and 10.3 Instructions Install Now
Macintosh OS 10.4 (PPC & Intel) Instructions Install Now

Click here to request secure access to University resources using the VPN client (NOTE: This is not for wireless access. This is for off-campus access to University resources and other VPN requests.)

Click here for more information about how the Cisco VPN Client works.

 
 
USC LINKS: DIRECTORY MAP EVENTS VIP
SITE INFORMATION