Use VPN for a Secure Connection

Virtual Private Network (VPN) establishes a "secure tunnel" for your computer on the NU Network. You will need to use VPN for:

• Accessing certain Northwestern resources from off campus
• Connecting to the "nuwlan" campus wireless network

For security, VPN provides strong encryption, enables authenticated access to the NU Network from external and untrusted environments, and proxies your network traffic so it appears to originate from within the NU Network.

Use Cisco VPN if you experience difficulty connecting with native VPN due to a firewall, NAT (Network Address Translation) environment, or a blocked VPN protocol due to service from an Internet service provider. Windows Vista users will also need to use Cisco VPN, as the Vista native VPN is not compatible with Northwestern's wireless network.

NOTE: In the event of a University-wide campus closure, instructions for accessing emergency VPN will be available for you.