VPN Services (Virtual Private Networking)

Configuring your home computer for accessing the Yale Network
To download and install the ITS Med VPN service to your home computer or laptop, simply go to: http://access.yale.edu.   The system will walk you through the set up process.  You will need your NetID and Password to install it.

The ITS-Med VPN service allows clients that are connecting to the Yale University network from a non-Yale Internet Service Provider (ISP) to appear as if they are directly connected to the campus network. This allows for access to resources and services that are restricted to campus connected computers with the exception of resources specifically restricted to the Medical School. These exceptions include

  • Medical School Library electronic resources, books, journals, etc. (the library proxy server gives access to these resources).
  • YNHH resources - agreements with the YNHH include restrictions on accessing YNHH resources remotely. YNHH provides dial-in access to their resources.
  • The VPN service encrypts all traffic between the client computer and the campus network, providing an extra measure of security.

Commercial ISPs

You can choose any commercial Internet Service provider that supports Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol(PPTP). ITS-Med is not recommending specific ISPs because there are currently no benefits to using one provider over another. However, we do not recommend using VPN with AOL. AOL (America On Line) is not compatible with VPN.

Security and VPN

Data passed between your machine and Yale-based services contains user IDs, passwords and other potentially sensitive data. VPN encrypts information in transit. If you are using a cable modem or DSL, your computer is connected to the Internet anytime it is powered up, thereby making it more susceptible to intrusion or damage than a campus networked computer. VPN can only ensure that data passed between your machine and the University is secure. ITS-Med Information Security offers advice on strategies for securing information on the campus network.