Answered By: Paul Catherall
Last Updated: Jul 01, 2025     Views: 844

Connectivity, Remote Desktop or Virtual Private Network (VPN) help

If you live in some world regions and have network issues - e.g. a white page, "connection reset/ refused" error, you may need to access the Library using an alternative method of connection. Note - you should ensure you consult VPN and related regulations in your region.   

For general technical help, such as resolving a web browser cookies issue, please see our Technical FAQ.

Some University systems such as the remote desktop service use Duo Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security in addition to your username and password.

If you use third party web browsers which include VPN, proxies or similar, you should avoid transmitting any sensitive, financial or personal or other identifiable information as these services can process this data and may transfer data to other services.

External web browsers are not operated by the University Library and so are used at your own risk.

University platforms

Remote Desktop service - this is our supported solution for remote connectivity. The Remote Teaching Centre service provides remote access to a campus PC (including full access to network applications and your network storage on campus), as if you were accessing that computer in a campus teaching centre. It is advisable to access the Remote Desktop service using a desktop computer. You can also use this service for web browsing and access drives/files on your local device; please contact the online Librarian for further assistance.

Citrix Workspace - Citrix provides a suite of desktop applications, including web browsers running from the University of Liverpool, and can be accessed as a web based platform (note this version of Citrix does not allow saving files such as PDFs to your local device), or by installing the Citrix desktop application on your computer (this version of Citrix does allow saving PDFs to your device. You can therefore run a web browser from Citrix to access the Library. See instructions for Windows or Mac/OSX.

Also see advice on cloud based apps.

Privacy/VPN browsers

For any ongoing Library connectivity issues you are recommended to contact the online Librarian as soon as possible to seek advice and support.

Note for University staff using VPN (global protect) – please be aware that we use a split tunnel service for the majority of users, so only University traffic is protected, ie if you visit an external website such as the BBC, this connection will be direct with no encryption. Please initially access Library eResources using the normal method as described above, and if you have difficulties accessing eResources due to connectivity difficulties in your world region, see further suggestions below.

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