Using VPN in Windows 7/8/10

If you have enrolled in DUO, please visit the following link : Using VPN with Duo

NOTE: The VPN client cannot be installed on a computer connected to the Hamilton network, either via Wi-Fi or a network jack.  These instructions should only be followed on an OFF-CAMPUS computer.

Introductory and Instructional Video

This video will help you understand why VPN is being used at Hamilton:

Installation Instructions

1. To begin your installation, open your web browser, e.g. Firefox or Chrome.
2. In the location box, type the URL https://outside.hamilton.edu. Note: the “s” in “https” is required.

3. In the login dialog box,
   1. Select the appropriate group option: For Hamilton, employees select Hamilton College
   2. Enter your Hamilton network ID (e.g. jdoe, do not include @hamilton.edu).
   3. You have two options - Note: As of Jan 19, 2021 - 8pm  - Note: Students who have VPN access are not yet enrolled in DUO will have a bypass of DUO. Please note all students are required to enroll in DUO by Feb 15, 2021.
      • Enter your password  and DUO will automatically send a notification to your phone or
      • You can use the 6 digit pin from the DUO token or mobile app with your password (e.g. mypassword,555555 - Note: no spaces before or after the comma).
   4. Then click Login

4. In the Network Access Warning window, click Continue to proceed.

5. Click Start AnyConnect to proceed to the VPN client download.

6. Click the blue Download button to start the download.
7. Run the downloaded file to install the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client on your PC.

Connecting and Disconnecting

1. To start a VPN connection, search for the Cisco VPN client in the Start menu and launch it (The helpdesk recommends pinning it to your taskbar or Start menu for ease of access).

2. Enter outside.hamilton.edu in the AnyConnect client and click Connect.

3. Enter your Hamilton UserID
4. You have two options - Note: As of Jan 19, 2021 - 8pm
   • Enter your password and DUO will automatically send a notification to your phone or
   • You can use the 6 digit pin from the DUO token or mobile app with your password (e.g. mypassword,555555 - Note: no spaces before or after the comma).
5. Click OK to continue. 
6. Click Accept on the dialog window that pops up warning against unauthorized use.
7. At this point, you will be connected to all of your normal Hamilton College network resources via VPN. You can confirm this by mousing over the VPN icon in your Taskbar notifications area, and receiving the message indicating that the VPN client is connected.
8. If you wish to start a Remote Desktop connection to your office computer, you can safely initiate that session now.
9. Remember to disconnect your VPN session when you are finished. To do so, just click on the VPN icon in the tray, then click Disconnect.