In an effort to increase the security of campus computers, employees and students who access University of Arizona computers remotely will need to follow new procedures.

Beginning Sept. 2, those who use Remote Desktop Protocol or PCAnywhere to access campus computers will need to use the University's virtual private network. Those who have been using telnet will need to use Secure Shell or telnet through the VPN.

Under the current system, "anyone with a username and password can access UA computers from off campus," University Information Security Office Sylvia Johnson wrote in a memo to the campus community. "Although that arrangement is very convenient for legitimate users, it is unfortunately also very convenient for persons with less than legitimate aims."

Those who are off campus but on the UA network, such as employees at University Physicians Healthcare branches, and those accessing UA computers via a departmental VPN will not be affected. Accessing UA WebMail remotely will not require using the VPN.

The VPN and Secure Shell, or SSH, software is available free of charge to employees and students. For more information on documentation and downloads, see http://security.arizona.edu/files/offcampusaccess.pdf.

VPN access requires a UA NetID. To find out how to obtain a NetID, visit the site listed above.

For assistance with VPN and SSH, contact the 24/7 IT Support Center at 626-TECH (8324). More information on the change or how to request an exception can be obtained from the Information Security Office, 621-UISO (8476).