Frequently Asked Questions
Off-Campus Access Q & A
Connecting via off campus accessI'm logged in, but having problems
Connecting via off campus access
Q: Why is my login rejected if my family name contains a hyphen, apostrophe or space?
A: Students with a hyphenated family name or a family name with an apostrophe should enter their surnames exactly as spelt. For example, Clark-Smith, O'Reilly, T'Dao.
Those who have a space in their name should enter the first part only of their name e.g. Van instead of Van Dane or Vandane
Q: I registered today, but I can't login to off-campus access. Why?
A: New registrations or changes to barcodes are uploaded to the library database every 2 hours. If it has been less than 2 hours since you registered the change with the Library, please try again after 2 hours have passed. If you have not registered the change with the Library, you will need to do so first. Access will be available 2 hours later.
Q: I can login from within the Library, but not from home.
A: Confirm with your service provider (if accessing from home) or your company IT department (if accessing from a workplace) that they allow access to proxy servers (this is what the off-campus access service uses).
Confirm also that they allow access to ports 80, 443, 2048 and 8181. Access to these ports is required by the off-campus service.
Use of a firewall (either a personal one at home, or a firewall in place in your the workplace) may also affect access. The firewall needs to be configured to allow access to the ports above, to accept the proxied IP address which will be returned when you connect to Off Campus Access, and to accept certificates and cookies.
For some firewall software the easiest solution is to put in an entry for http://ezproxy.uws.edu.au to be a trusted site so firewall rules don't affect access.
If you are still having difficulty, please contact Information Central on (02) 9852 5353.
Q: Who is permitted to use the off-campus access service?
A: Current students and staff of the University of Western Sydney are able to use the off-campus access service. Reciprocal, Community and Corporate borrowers are not permitted to use this service due to licence restrictions. Alumni students have access to some e-resources off campus. See http://library.uws.edu.au/alumni_dbs.php. If you have any quereies please contact Information Central on (02) 9852 5353.
Q: What is my username and password?
A: In general, the username for those UWS students and staff who have permission to use Off Campus Access is your library barcode.
Exceptions to this may be international or external students who do not have a library barcode allocated. In these cases, your UWS ID number may be used. This can be confirmed by contacting the Library.
Your password is your family name.
Q: Firewall and anti-virus software on your machine or network
A: Anti-virus software on your home or office PC may affect Off Campus Access services. Because a login to this system returns a different, proxied IP address to the one your ISP provides, anti-virus software may view this as a possible virus attack.
Your anti-virus software, like any firewall software, needs to be configured to accept the proxied IP address which will be returned when you connect to Off Campus Access, and to accept certificates and cookies. Firewall, and some anti-virus software, also needs to be configured to allow access to ports 80, 443, 2048 and 8181.
For some firewall software the easiest solution is to put in an entry for http://ezproxy.uws.edu.au to be a trusted site so firewall rules don't affect access.
You may need to discuss this configuration with your ISP or local computer support. Unfortunately, the Library cannot provide details on how to configure your anti virus and firewall software. If you cannot configure the software, you may choose to disable it during your use of the Off Campus Access service. The Library can accept no responsibility for any virus or other worm received if you choose this option.
Q: Off Campus Access doesn't work with my Virtual Private Network (VPN) for UWS
A: Some students and staff have established VPN connections into the UWS network. This confuses the software used for connecting to Off Campus Access services, as it sees you as being part of UWS and does not log you in. However our database providers do not see a UWS IP address, and cannot log you in automatically.
The solution at present is to not connect via your VPN if you are planning to use library-subscribed databases and electronic journals.
I'm logged in, but having problems
Q: How do I know if I am logged in to Off Campus Access?
A: If you are successful, you will be sent directly to the resource you are trying to access. If you are not successful, you will be returned to the login page.
The easiest way to check that you are still within Off Campus Access as you are working is to look at the address bar - it should always contain as part of the URL, the following word: ezproxy
This applies anywhere on the library site, and when connecting out to databases. If not, you are no longer connected via Off-Campus Access and may be asked for passwords.
Q: After searching a database, I logout of that service and then go back to the library homepage. Then I have to login again.
A: Some exit screens from services simply say 'you are logged out', others point back to the library site, bypassing the off-campus links. The simplest way to get back into off-campus access is either to use the browser 'back' button until you get back to the library page with 'ezproxy' in the URL.
Q: Why am I being asked for a password for some sites?
A: Some sites, such as Lexis Nexis, use cookies to maintain navigation information about a website. Some browsers are configured only to accept particular cookies, which can block you from accessing services.
The way around this is to set your browser to accept all cookies. See How do I configure my Browser for Off Campus Access.
Q: How do I configure my Browser for Off Campus Access?
A: To access the full functionality of UWS electronic resources, you will need to enable the following internet settings. Access to library resources would be severely limited or not possible without making these changes.
If accessing from a workplace see:
Firewall and anti-virus software on your machine or network
The instructions below are for the most common configurations for Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Clearing the cache
Enabling cookies
Enabling JavaScript
Enabling popup windows
Security Messages
Clearing the cache
These problems are often caused by your browser calling up old information from your cache or cookie folder. Clearing them usually solves the problem.
Internet Explorer 7+
- From the browser menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options
- At the General tab, click on the Delete button that is listed under Browsing History
- At the Delete Browsing History window, click on Delete files... and click on the Yes button at the prompt
- Click on Delete Cookies... and click on the Yes button at the prompt
- Click on the Close button
- Click on the OK button
Firefox 2+
- From the browser menu bar click on Tools
- Select Clear Private Data Now from the drop down menu
- Check the Cache checkbox
- Check the Cookies checkbox
- Click on the Clear Private Data Now button
Enabling Cookies
You may need to enable cookies on your browser.
Internet Explorer 7+
- From the browser menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options
- Select the Privacy tab.
- Move the bar until the screen shows Low or Accept all cookies
- Select Advanced
- Deselect override automatic cookie handling button
- Click on the OK button at the bottom of the screen.
- Click OK to exit
- You may need to restart your browser for changes to take effect•
Firefox 2+
- From the browser menu bar select Tools > Options
- Click on the Privacy tab.
- Under the Cookies heading ensure that the Accept cookies from sites box is checked and the option for Keep until: is set to they expire.
Enabling JavaScript
Java and JavaScript should be enabled in your browser
Internet Explorer 7+
- From the browser menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options
- Click on the Security tab.
- Click on the Custom level... button and scroll down to the Scripting section.
- Click in the Enable radio button under Active Scripting if this is not selected.
- Click OK.
Firefox 2+
- From the browser menu bar, select Tools > Options
- Click on the Content tab.
- Ensure the Enable Javascript is checked.
Enabling popup windows
Some databases require the use of pop-up windows to deliver information. By default, pop-up blocking functions are included in some anti-virus, internet security, personal firewall, and browser programs. These need to either be turned off (so that popups are accepted) or set to allow pop-ups from database sites.
Unfortunately, the Library cannot provide information for all available pop-up blocking software. Some common blockers and how to alter the settings are provided below.
- Internet Explorer
Go to Tools menu > Pop-up Blocker Either, select 'Turn Off Popup Blocker’, or select Pop-up Blocker Settings and input the details for individual sites for which pop-ups are permitted. - Google toolbar
Click the 'No pop-ups' icon to allow pop-ups - Firefox
Go to Tools > Options > Content icon Untick the 'Block Popup Windows' entry or Click the 'Allowed sites' button and enter the details for individual sites.
Security Messages
Some databases may cause your browser to display a security alert message. Normally you should be cautious about allowing your browser to display content with such a message, but if you are accessing a Library database through a Library link it should be safe to do so.
Internet Explorer 7+
- You will see an information bar indicated yellow at the top of the page.
- To clear the message, click in the yellow bar and click on Display blocked content.
Firefox 2+
- You will get a Security Error alert box.
- Click OK to allow the content to display.
If your browser settings are correct, also review:
Firewall and anti-virus software on your machine or network
Off Campus Access doesn't work with my Virtual Private Network (VPN) for UWS
