Off-Campus Access FAQ

Off-Campus Access to Electronic Resources:

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I access these resources from off-campus?
Can MIT alumni or non-MIT users access these resources from off-campus?
Can all resources can be accessed from off-campus?
How do I set up my computer to access resources from off-campus?
What is a web certificate?
Will certificates work with any web browser?
I've installed certificates, but I keep getting annoying messages from my web browser about security. How can I minimize the number of message I get?
What if I use more than one computer for accessing off-campus resources?
What should I do if I am having technical difficulties?

1. How do I access these resources from off-campus?

Using the Vera interface will route you through our proxy server, which will allow you to access the resources by using your MIT web certificates. The Barton catalog does not always support remote, off-campus access. Other options for access:

VPN (Virtual Private Network): makes your computer appear "on-campus"
LibX: Firefox toolbar that routes pages through our proxy server (see short video tutorial)
Manually insert the proxy string into the URL

2. Can MIT alumni or non-MIT users access these resources from off-campus?

Only current members of the MIT community may access these resources from off-campus - basically anyone with an Athena/Kerberos identity (see Register for Kerberos Identity for details) is eligible to get MIT web certificates, which is what enables access. The vendors we purchase these resources from impose license restrictions which prevent us from offering off-campus access to alumni or anyone outside the immediate MIT community.

Alumni and non-MIT users may come to campus and access many of these resources from our public computers. We have compiled a list of free and unlicensed resources in Vera which are available off-site to anyone.

3. Can all resources can be accessed from off-campus?

Most resources can be accessed off-campus and are indicated in Vera with a icon. Our contracts with the vendors of a few resources stipulate on-campus use only - these will not display the icon.

NOTE: See special page for Off-campus Access to SciFinder Scholar and CrossFire Beilstein/Gmelin.

4. How do I set up my computer to access resources from off-campus?

You must have MIT web certificates installed in your web browser, which only current members of the MIT community are eligible for. See Obtaining Certificates for Accessing Secure Web Services at MIT. If you use multiple web browsers, you must obtain certificates for each browser.

5. What is a web certificate?

Your personal MIT web certificate authenticates you to the secure MIT Web server. These security methods are built into browsers as a way of identifying you as an MIT community member.

6. Will certificates work with any web browser?

No. See "Prerequisites to Getting MIT Web Certificates" in Obtaining Certificates for Accessing Secure Web Services at MIT.

7. I've installed certificates, but I keep getting annoying messages from my web browser about security. How can I minimize the number of message I get?

See this document: Recommended MIT Certificate Security Preferences.

8. What if I use more than one computer for accessing off-campus resources?

You will need to install certificates on each computer that you plan to use. For more details about shared computers or certificates on Athena, see Obtaining Certificates for Accessing Secure Web Services at MIT.

9. What should I do if I am having technical difficulties?

See Trouble-Shooting Problems: Off-Campus Access. You may also ask for help via our Ask Us! service (MIT only).

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This page was last updated on 12/07/07