Skip to Main Content
The Library

Web VPN: Home

A quick tutorial on using UCSD's web VPN

UCSD Web Virtual Private Network

UCSD Web VPN

UCSD offers two ways to connect to library resources when off campus - either the installed VPN (AnyConnect) or the webVPN.  Both of these give you a UCSD IP address just as if you were here on campus.  However, the web VPN can be a little tricky to use, and is known to be a problem when searching some databases, e.g., PubMed.  They may be times the web VPN will come in handy.  Below are some suggested ways the web VPN can used most effectively.

Web VPN Trickiness

One oddity with web VPN is that once signed in, you can easily slip out of it and not realize it.  The way to know for sure that the web VPN is active is to look for the tools - usually in the top right corner of the browser.  The tools are very transparent, so they are easily missed.

For the web VPN to stay active, DO NOT use the browser's address box.  To navigate when the web VPN is active, make sure you either click the links on web pages you are viewing or use the sign post (second icon in the set of tools) to enter any web address you want to use.

Other than being a little different, the basics are pretty straight forward.  If you want a quick introduction to the basics, check out the Web VPN Basics tab.   

Best Practices for Web VPN

Web VPN is not perfect, but has been very effective in a couple of situations:

  • When at a computer where downloading software or adjusting browser settings is not possible (e.g., the VA, local clinics).
  • When on the campus wireless and you cannot get into a specific resource that should be available.  (Usually an IP address issue - for details on what to do when that happens, click here.)

Ask a Librarian

Get help when you need it. Check out the options.