How Do I…

Connect from Home

Access to UVa resources such as MEDLINE, full-text journals, and MD Consult is restricted to UVa faculty, staff, and students. To access these resources from home through Internet Service Providers such as Adelphia Cable, Sprint DSL, NTELOS, AOL, EarthLink, etc., you may choose one of the following two options:

  1. Option 1: Proxy

    The proxy is easy to set up, however, it does not work with all browsers.

  2. Option 2: UVa Anywhere

    Set up involves installing a program and downloading a personal certificate. However, UVa Anywhere works with any browser. It also allows you to access other services such as Home Directory.

Note to HS/CS VPN users: As an added feature, the HS/CS VPN also allows access to some of the Library’s IP-restricted resources. However, due to differences in how security is managed, not all journals and databases can be accessed through the HS/CS VPN. For a description of resources available through HS/CS VPN, see the Remote Access Comparison page.

Proxy Setup

  • STEP 1: Create an account on the proxy server
  • STEP 2: Configure your Web browser to access the proxy server.

    Please refer to the following chart to see if your browser is proxy-compatible and to get detailed configuration instructions :

    Browser proxy-compatible? Download
    Windows Mac
    Apple Safari n/a not proxy-compatible  
    AOL Browser not proxy-compatible not proxy-compatible  
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 5** (configure) proxy-compatible not proxy-compatible  
    Microsoft Internet Explorer 6** (configure) proxy-compatible n/a www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ **
    Mozilla Firefox (configure) proxy-compatible proxy-compatible www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
    Netscape Navigator 6.0-6.1, 7.1, & 8.0 not proxy-compatible not proxy-compatible  

    Netscape Navigator 6.2 & 7.2 (configure)

    		most proxy-compatible most proxy-compatible browser.netscape.com/ns8/download/
    most proxy-compatible= compatible & ITC tested/approved; proxy-compatible= compatible; not proxy-compatible= NOT compatible
    ** ITC does not recommend using Internet Explorer with the proxy server. For more information, please review ITC's Summary of problems with Internet Explorer and the Proxy Server.
  • STEP 3: Test your proxy connection.
    • Test your proxy connection now
    • If you completed Steps 1 and 2 correctly, you should be prompted for a user name (your computing ID—e.g., mst3k) and the proxy password you created in Step 1.
    • If you received a “Success” page, congratulations. You're done.

      If, on the other hand, you get a page with the message "An Error Has Occurred!," call ITC's Help Desk at 924-3731.

Frequently Asked Questions about the proxy server

For additional information regarding the proxy server, refer to ITC's proxy information page. Please contact the ITC Help Desk at 924-3731 or send an e-mail.

UVa Anywhere Setup

  • STEP 1: Obtain personal certificate

    • Note: If you are using Windows, use Internet Explorer when you obtain certificates for UVa-Anywhere. If you use Netscape with Mac OS or Linux, follow the general instructions for obtaining certificates.
    • You need to provide your computing ID, current password, last name, Social Security Number, and birthdate (the same information you provide to get an eservices account). This information will be used to confirm that you are authorized to have an account at the University of Virginia. All of the information must be entered as it appears in official UVa records.

  • STEP 2: Download and install the VPN client.

    • You can start the downloading process by providing either your digital certificate or UVa CMS, Blue, or Outlook account information (usually your e-mail userID and password). Once you have finished downloading itc-vpn403c.exe, double-click the file to start installation. You can only set up UVa-Anywhere Off-Grounds.

  • STEP 3: Configure UVa-Anywhere

    • Open the program by clicking the padlock icon UVa-Anywhere padlock icon
    • Make sure to select your certificate when you use the client for the first time. Under the “Connection Entries” tab choose UVa-Anywhere, then click on “Modify.” Under “Certificate Authentication” choose the certificate you made in Step 1, then click on “Save.” To make a connection, click on “Connect.”

You are now all set to use UVa-Anywhere to access UVa-restricted resources such as Ovid MEDLINE or MD Consult from home.

More about UVa-Anywhere (Links to ITC's UVa-Anywhere Information Pages)

Additional Information

For information on accessing restricted Library resources from home, contact the CMHSL Reference Desk at 924-5591 or e-mail cmhslref@gmail.com.