Personal tools
University Computing Service

Your Cambridge computer accounts

Access from outside the University

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If you are using your own machine which is configured for use in Cambridge, you may need to reconfigure it.

If you are visiting another University and want to use your own laptop via their wireless facilities, you will often be able to do so using eduroam (which you need to have set up before leaving Cambridge).

Security tip: If you think that, when you are away, you will be logging in from a computer other than your own (e.g. Internet cafe, conference, hotel) you might like to consider changing your passwords before you go away and changing them back when you return. This will minimise the risk to your accounts if a computer you use has been hacked and had a keystroke logger installed, as any password obtained by the hacker will only be a temporary one.

Web access

Some University web pages and web-based facilities may be restricted, generally in one of two ways:

  • Many pages will require Raven web authentication. If you do not have, or cannot remember, your Raven password, please see the FAQ on How do I get a Raven password?
  • Some pages may be restricted to connections from the cam.ac.uk domain.  In this case your computer must appear to be on the Cambridge network and you will need to use the VPDN service.

Email

  • The easiest way to access Hermes email when you are away is via Hermes Webmail.
  • If you prefer to use a different mail program, and are using your own machine configured for use in Cambridge, you may need to reconfigure it (and reverse the process on your return).

DS-Filestore

Other systems

  • You may wish to transfer files to and from other Cambridge machines. Note that plain FTP (as distinct from secure FTP, SFTP) is blocked across the CUDN boundary apart from specific exceptions.
  • If the system requires your computer to appear to be on the Cambridge network you will need to use the VPDN service, or local VPN service or similar if your Institution runs one.

Last updated: February 2012