SSL and the Proxy Server

What is a Proxy Server?

A proxy server is a special type of web server that facilitates off-campus access to the library's subscription research resources.

What is SSL?

SSL is "Secure Sockets Layer" which is the de facto standard technology for protecting the transmission of sensitive data over the web. SSL connections have web addresses that begin with "https". If you've ever purchased anything over the web you've most certainly used SSL.

Why is the library using SSL for logging into the proxy server?

When you login to the proxy server you're sending your Furman network username and password from your computer to a server on campus. Since you're only prompted to login to the proxy server when you're off campus this means that you're sending your network username and password "in clear text" across the Internet. In order to protect your password from potential interception and eavesdropping we are using SSL to encrypt the information you send when you login.

Which web browsers are known to work seamlessly with this change to logging in to the proxy server?

Updated as of 1/3/06:

• Internet Explorer 5.01 or later
• Netscape 4.7 or later
• Mozilla 1 or later
• Firefox
• Safari
• Opera 8.51 or later
• AOL 5 or later

What happens if my web browser doesn't work seamlessly with this change?

The vast majority of us will not encounter this situation; our web browsers will seamlessly log onto the proxy server.

If your web browser doesn't recognize the company from whom we've purchased our SSL security certificate you may see a warning message about your web browser not being able to verify the identity of the proxy server web site. In this particular case you are still safe in connecting to the proxy server (usually by clicking an "OK" button) because this particular warning message only means that the web browser you're using hasn't been configured to recognize the company from whom we've purchased our SSL security certificate.

If you have any questions about using the proxy server please contact Scott Salzman at 294-3204.