What is it? Why use it?
"Connect from Home" is a means of making your home (off-campus) computer appear to be on-campus. Use it to prove that you are affiliated with UW; you will then be able to use online library resources (research databases, electronic journals, etc.) from off-campus.
Note: If you use UW's dial-up modem pool, you will not need to "Connect from Home."
Can I use it?
Current students already have a WatCard with the required information. Faculty or staff at UW need to get a WatCard and register with the Library.
Centre for Extended Learning students may contact Library Circulation to request a temporary barcode (include your name and student number) if you do not have a student ID card (WATCARD). You may apply for a WatCARD as described at the Centre for Extended Learning Student Support site, in order to use online resources throughout the term or in subsequent terms when you are registered in UW courses.
Connecting
For smoothest results, use "Connect from Home" before attempting to access any online library resources from off-campus.
Otherwise, you may or may not be prompted to "Connect from Home" when you attempt to access a resource. If not prompted, you will have to "Connect from Home" and retrace your steps from the library home page to the desired resource.
Alternatively, if the link of a resource does not start with "http://testtube.uwaterloo.ca/", you may make a link that allows you to first "Connect from Home" and then access the resource directly.
You will know you are connected when you see ".proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca" in your URL, as shown below.
Staying connected
Once connected, use hyperlinks, search engines, and buttons on the page. If you use bookmarks or manually enter a URL, you will be disconnected.
If you do not see ".proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca", you are no longer connected.
Warning: If you sign onto the proxy from a shared or public computer, it is important that you close the Web browser after you finish. This will prevent non-legitimate use of these resources or services in your name.
Problems?
Many (most) of recent proxy problem reports have been traced to browser caching as the cause of the preservation of information on a failed sign-on attempt. Your browser can save information from a single failed attempt and resubmit it on subsequent attempts, even overwriting the barcode you had manually typed. This has been a frequent cause of authentication failure.
To fix this, or remove it as a source of the problem, please clear the cache on your browser and clear any auto-complete function before you try again.
In IE7, this is done by going to Tools/Internet Options, and in the GENERAL TAB click on the DELETE button in the Browsing History section.
Click on DELETE FILES in both the Temporary Internet Files and DELETE PASSWORDS in the Password section. That should clear your browser from trying to force an old or inaccurate barcode into the authentication form.
FireFox has a Tools/Clear-Private-Data option that achieves the same goal.
Chrome's cache can be cleared by going to "customize and control Google Chrome" (the wrench icon) and selecting "Clear browsing data" from the drop-down menu".
If performing these steps does not fix the problem, please fill out a problem report form and your query will be answered shortly.
Bookmarks work differently
To create Connect-from-Home-friendly bookmarks to online library resources, which preserve Persistent URL information, right click on the hyperlink and select "Add to Favorites..." (Internet Explorer) or "Bookmark This Link" (Netscape or Firefox).
In the future, once you have accessed "Connect from Home," you will be able to use these Connect-from-Home-friendly bookmarks without losing your connection.
Note: Due to the dynamic nature of some URLs it may not be possible to successfully bookmark certain pages, regardless of whether you are on-campus or off-campus.
9/21/13
Why use an anonymous proxy server?
Shortest answer privacy! When you visit a website (any website) your IP is logged. You IP address can be used to trace you back to your Internet Service Provider, your employer, school or public terminal. While your IP address (currently ) may not identify you personally it is a unique identifier which identify your computer while you are online.
This information is sufficient to identify the computer (not the person) used to access our website. In a civil or criminal legal proceeding subpoena can be issued to the service provider and in some case this information is enough to identify the person(s) using the computer. There are instances when you may want to protect your privacy by using a web proxy. Think of a web proxy as a P.O. Box number you would use to protect your real street address.
When you use a web proxy the IP address of the proxy server will appear (not yours).
There are other reasons to use a proxy server. Some countries (Saudi Arabia for one) block access to certain websites; these website can be accessed through the use of a proxy. In the U.S. schools often block access to websites such as MySpace.com. Some company also block access to certain popular websites. Here again these blocked website can be accessed via an anonymous web proxy.
A word of caution -
Anonymous proxy only offer basic privacy and it is possible to subpoena the log of an anonymous proxy server to obtain an IP address. Most US proxy server will surrender to a simple letter from an attorney, some will require a subpoena. Very few will attempt fight the subpoena with a "Motion to Quash". For Best protection use a foreign proxy server in a third world country. Good luck issuing a subpoena to an internet service provider (ISP) in the Czech Republic for example!
Another great way to protect your anonymity is to simply use an unprotected wireless connection. Many coffee shop and other businesses use open wireless connection. If you use a proxy in addition to an open wireless connection you are virtually untraceable. More on this very soon.
Do not enter personal information when using an anonymous proxy. Keep in mind that the information you enter can be recorded by a malicious proxy owner. For example, NEVER access your Bank information or pay online using a proxy. The same goes when accessing an unprotected wireless connection.
Disclaimer -
We certainly do no encourage illegal or unethical activities but we strongly believe in the right to privacy. Since 9-11 our government has waged a war on the privacy of all Americans under the pretence of "protecting our country from terrorist". The current ideology is that if you need privacy you must have something to hide. You have the right to privacy and you have the right to use means to protect your privacy!
This said, if your intend is to commit a criminal act using the internet (stalking, extortion, fraud etc.) keep in mind that while the information posted on this website will most likely protect your identity, if you commit a crime Federal Agencies such as the F.B.I. or N.S.A. have the talent and means to trace IP's proxy or not.
This information is sufficient to identify the computer (not the person) used to access our website. In a civil or criminal legal proceeding subpoena can be issued to the service provider and in some case this information is enough to identify the person(s) using the computer. There are instances when you may want to protect your privacy by using a web proxy. Think of a web proxy as a P.O. Box number you would use to protect your real street address.
When you use a web proxy the IP address of the proxy server will appear (not yours).
There are other reasons to use a proxy server. Some countries (Saudi Arabia for one) block access to certain websites; these website can be accessed through the use of a proxy. In the U.S. schools often block access to websites such as MySpace.com. Some company also block access to certain popular websites. Here again these blocked website can be accessed via an anonymous web proxy.
A word of caution -
Anonymous proxy only offer basic privacy and it is possible to subpoena the log of an anonymous proxy server to obtain an IP address. Most US proxy server will surrender to a simple letter from an attorney, some will require a subpoena. Very few will attempt fight the subpoena with a "Motion to Quash". For Best protection use a foreign proxy server in a third world country. Good luck issuing a subpoena to an internet service provider (ISP) in the Czech Republic for example!
Another great way to protect your anonymity is to simply use an unprotected wireless connection. Many coffee shop and other businesses use open wireless connection. If you use a proxy in addition to an open wireless connection you are virtually untraceable. More on this very soon.
Do not enter personal information when using an anonymous proxy. Keep in mind that the information you enter can be recorded by a malicious proxy owner. For example, NEVER access your Bank information or pay online using a proxy. The same goes when accessing an unprotected wireless connection.
Disclaimer -
We certainly do no encourage illegal or unethical activities but we strongly believe in the right to privacy. Since 9-11 our government has waged a war on the privacy of all Americans under the pretence of "protecting our country from terrorist". The current ideology is that if you need privacy you must have something to hide. You have the right to privacy and you have the right to use means to protect your privacy!
This said, if your intend is to commit a criminal act using the internet (stalking, extortion, fraud etc.) keep in mind that while the information posted on this website will most likely protect your identity, if you commit a crime Federal Agencies such as the F.B.I. or N.S.A. have the talent and means to trace IP's proxy or not.
Webproxy launches the new online free secure proxy service
Air-Proxy.us announces the launch of its new free online unblocking secure proxy beta website, Air-Proxy.us. Users are now a click away from visiting any blocked websites and easily surfing them, anonymously.
Air-Proxy.us is designed as a search engine making it easy for anyone to surf through its’ proxy server, in just one click. No downloads, no heavy loading, surf as if you searched any site on a search engine, while opening it through a web-based proxy server. Air-Proxy.us offers SSL security, which encrypts communications between the user and the proxy. Users anywhere in the world can now unblock websites including unblocking Hulu, Netflix, Pirate Bay, Kat.ph, or unblocking Facebook or Twitter at your work, to name a few.
Website blocking has become a tool used by corporations, governments, and publishers wishing to restrict access based on location. Air-Proxy.us is able to quickly bypass all restrictions in countries which restrict access to various types of websites. Unlike many proxies, Air-Proxy.us affords user information masking, cookie management, and advertisement removal, meaning you can unblock websites, block pop-ups and surf anonymously all through opening a website through the Air-Proxy.us search bar.
Air-Proxy.us saw a gap in the market for a free, easy to use, online tool for anyone, anywhere to surf websites privately. As more and more websites collect and transmit private information about us while we surf, or alternatively block us from browsing, Air-Proxy.us allows you to surf the internet securely and freely by providing a new IP address through its own proxy server.
Air-Proxy.us is due to release a browser based extension by the end of August 2013, it’s beta version is already available on the Chrome Store. The purpose of the extension is to ease user experience, and allow for seamless secure browsing with no heavy programme download, install, or changes to the browser. The extension allows users to create a list of websites to automatically unblock and surf securely, view only certain links of a website securely, or of course view whole websites. Users will be able to unblock any site easily, without entering any websites just by enabling the extension.
About Air-Proxy.us
Air-Proxy.us was created by top programmers from around the world, targeting global browsing blocking. Visit http://www.Air-Proxy.us for the free service.
Air-Proxy.us is designed as a search engine making it easy for anyone to surf through its’ proxy server, in just one click. No downloads, no heavy loading, surf as if you searched any site on a search engine, while opening it through a web-based proxy server. Air-Proxy.us offers SSL security, which encrypts communications between the user and the proxy. Users anywhere in the world can now unblock websites including unblocking Hulu, Netflix, Pirate Bay, Kat.ph, or unblocking Facebook or Twitter at your work, to name a few.
Website blocking has become a tool used by corporations, governments, and publishers wishing to restrict access based on location. Air-Proxy.us is able to quickly bypass all restrictions in countries which restrict access to various types of websites. Unlike many proxies, Air-Proxy.us affords user information masking, cookie management, and advertisement removal, meaning you can unblock websites, block pop-ups and surf anonymously all through opening a website through the Air-Proxy.us search bar.
Air-Proxy.us saw a gap in the market for a free, easy to use, online tool for anyone, anywhere to surf websites privately. As more and more websites collect and transmit private information about us while we surf, or alternatively block us from browsing, Air-Proxy.us allows you to surf the internet securely and freely by providing a new IP address through its own proxy server.
Air-Proxy.us is due to release a browser based extension by the end of August 2013, it’s beta version is already available on the Chrome Store. The purpose of the extension is to ease user experience, and allow for seamless secure browsing with no heavy programme download, install, or changes to the browser. The extension allows users to create a list of websites to automatically unblock and surf securely, view only certain links of a website securely, or of course view whole websites. Users will be able to unblock any site easily, without entering any websites just by enabling the extension.
About Air-Proxy.us
Air-Proxy.us was created by top programmers from around the world, targeting global browsing blocking. Visit http://www.Air-Proxy.us for the free service.
Proxy Server Definition
Most large businesses, organizations, and universities these days use a proxy server. This is a server that all computers on the local network have to go through before accessing information on the Internet. By using a proxy server, an organization can improve the network performance and filter what users connected to the network can access.
A proxy server improves Internet access speeds from a network primarily by using a caching system. Caching saves recently viewed Web sites, images, and files on a local hard drive so that they don't have to be downloaded from the Web again. While your Web browser might save recently viewed items on your computer, a proxy server caches everything accessed from the network. That means if Bob views a news story at cnn.com at 1:00 and Jill views the same page at 1:03, she'll most likely get the page straight from the proxy server's cache. Though this means super-fast access to Web pages, it also means users might not be seeing the latest update of each Web page.
The other main purpose a proxy server is to filter what is allowed into the network. While HTTP, FTP, and Secure protocols can all be filtered by a proxy server, HTTP is the most common. The proxy server can limit what Web sites users on the network can access. Many organizations choose to block access to sites with objectionable material such as hacking information and pornography, but other sites can be filtered as well. If an employer notices workers are spending too much time at sites like eBay or Quicken.com, those sites can be blocked by the proxy server as well.
A proxy server improves Internet access speeds from a network primarily by using a caching system. Caching saves recently viewed Web sites, images, and files on a local hard drive so that they don't have to be downloaded from the Web again. While your Web browser might save recently viewed items on your computer, a proxy server caches everything accessed from the network. That means if Bob views a news story at cnn.com at 1:00 and Jill views the same page at 1:03, she'll most likely get the page straight from the proxy server's cache. Though this means super-fast access to Web pages, it also means users might not be seeing the latest update of each Web page.
The other main purpose a proxy server is to filter what is allowed into the network. While HTTP, FTP, and Secure protocols can all be filtered by a proxy server, HTTP is the most common. The proxy server can limit what Web sites users on the network can access. Many organizations choose to block access to sites with objectionable material such as hacking information and pornography, but other sites can be filtered as well. If an employer notices workers are spending too much time at sites like eBay or Quicken.com, those sites can be blocked by the proxy server as well.
Access Restricted Resources Remotely
Some University of Virginia resources, such as library materials, online databases, news resources, and downloadable software, have license restrictions that limit their use to the University community. You can access these restricted resources only if your computer is physically on Grounds or, if you are working remotely, through an off-Grounds option to access restricted UVa resources, such as the proxy server.
For First-Time Users of the UVa Proxy Server
If you are a student, faculty, or staff member of the University: No special configuration or account required; simply sign into the UVa Proxy Server using your NetBadge login.
If you are not a member of the UVa community: If you are allowed access to the proxy service but do not have an ITS or Health System computing account, an alternate login method will ask for other identifying information. Use the same proxy sign-in link as above.
Note: You do not have to switch your proxy settings every time you log on, depending on whether you are on or off-Grounds. The proxy server automatically recognizes whether you are directly connected to the UVa network, and acts accordingly.
For Returning Users of the Proxy Server
If you were using the UVa proxy server prior to May 15, 2012, you will notice a few differences now that the new proxy server provided by EZproxy is in place:
You now sign into the UVa Proxy Server using your NetBadge login.
You no longer have to configure your Web browser on either your computer or mobile device.
You may need to update your bookmarks to restricted materials. Simply add the following string to the front of your URL: http://proxy.its.virginia.edu/login?url= —
So for instance,
http://www.jstor.org
will become
http://proxy.its.virginia.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org
While not essential, you may wish to remove your old proxy configuration settings.
Proxy “Accounts”
The preferred login method for the proxy service is via NetBadge. You may log into NetBadge with your digital certificate (a faster, more secure method) or with a password on a compatible system.
If you are allowed to access to the proxy service but do not have an ITS or HSCS computing account (e.g., Medical Center Preceptors, visiting medical students, and other Health System affiliates), an alternate login method will ask for other identifying information, which may include your University ID number. If you need assistance with creating or modifying your proxy account, contact the UVa Help Desk.
For First-Time Users of the UVa Proxy Server
If you are a student, faculty, or staff member of the University: No special configuration or account required; simply sign into the UVa Proxy Server using your NetBadge login.
If you are not a member of the UVa community: If you are allowed access to the proxy service but do not have an ITS or Health System computing account, an alternate login method will ask for other identifying information. Use the same proxy sign-in link as above.
Note: You do not have to switch your proxy settings every time you log on, depending on whether you are on or off-Grounds. The proxy server automatically recognizes whether you are directly connected to the UVa network, and acts accordingly.
For Returning Users of the Proxy Server
If you were using the UVa proxy server prior to May 15, 2012, you will notice a few differences now that the new proxy server provided by EZproxy is in place:
You now sign into the UVa Proxy Server using your NetBadge login.
You no longer have to configure your Web browser on either your computer or mobile device.
You may need to update your bookmarks to restricted materials. Simply add the following string to the front of your URL: http://proxy.its.virginia.edu/login?url= —
So for instance,
http://www.jstor.org
will become
http://proxy.its.virginia.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org
While not essential, you may wish to remove your old proxy configuration settings.
Proxy “Accounts”
The preferred login method for the proxy service is via NetBadge. You may log into NetBadge with your digital certificate (a faster, more secure method) or with a password on a compatible system.
If you are allowed to access to the proxy service but do not have an ITS or HSCS computing account (e.g., Medical Center Preceptors, visiting medical students, and other Health System affiliates), an alternate login method will ask for other identifying information, which may include your University ID number. If you need assistance with creating or modifying your proxy account, contact the UVa Help Desk.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)