Building Rewire Project

VPN

The Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows secure transportation of data between the University and a remote user connected to the Internet outside of Southern Miss. VPN is required to access storage and specific resources when on the Southern Miss Visitor wireless network, and anywhere off-campus.

Remote users are faculty, staff, or students who are connected through:

• network laptop ports provided at conferences.
• home services like DSL or cable modem.
• an Internet Service Provider dialup facility at Southern Miss or elsewhere.
• a port on the network of another university or national lab.
  

Faculty, staff, or students who access the Internet from a campus computer or a computer in the student housing are not considered remote users.

Generally, computers connected by one of the above means will not need to use the VPN. However, certain sensitive business applications may require use of the VPN to improve security.

The VPN was implemented to help protect the University’s computers and the data they contain from Internet attackers who attempt to gain unauthorized access to Southern Miss computers while still allowing access by legitimate remote users.

Malicious individuals may destroy data, disrupt operations of Southern Miss computers, or attempt to use Southern Miss computers to launch similar attacks against other computers attached to the Internet. Dealing with intrusions into our computers requires restoring damaged data and systems and diverts resources from useful purposes. Further, the use of Southern Miss computers to damage another business’ computers or business operations may subject Southern Miss to legal action that could have significant costs in terms of money and lost personnel time. The security provided by the VPN helps prevent such problems.

Setting Up VPN

To set up a VPN account, go to http://www.usm.edu/itech/internet/vpn.php

If you have any trouble, call the Help Desk at (601) 266-4357.