Last updated on June 23, 2025
WiscVPN (Virtual Private Network) software allows UW–Madison faculty, staff and students to access University resources even when they are using a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP). It accomplishes this by encrypting internet traffic between a home/remote personal or work computer/laptop and the campus network. All traffic from the client is routed through the tunnel with a campus IP address, making that traffic appear to be originating from on-campus.
Benefits
- VPN encrypts traffic from your client to the campus network.
- No matter where you are in the world, VPN can help make you feel like you are on the UW–Madison Campus.
- Adding Multi-factor Authentication from Duo (MFA-Dou) to the login process helps to protect WiscVPN against user credential theft.
- Static IP assignments can help lock down host-based firewall rules for remote administration.
Requirements
- uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu is currently open to most Active NetIDs. Static IP assignments are available.
- Individuals must authenticate with MFA-Duo to access WiscVPN.
- For the Departmental VPN, someone from the department will need to make a helpdesk.wisc.edu request to start the configuration process between the Department and DoIT Campus Network Services.
Getting started
- Download the WiscVPN tool you need based on your operating system.
- Enroll in Multi-factor Authentication from Duo (MFA-Duo) in order to access WiscVPN.
- Owners of departmental VPNs contact DoIT Network Services to initiate the integration of multi-factor authentication from Duo.
Options
- Dynamic IP Addresses:
Each time you make a connection using the VPN client, you may be assigned a different campus IP address. Most WiscVPN users will likely find that a dynamic IP address meets their needs. - Static IP Addresses:
A few network resources need to be locked down so that only specific IP addresses are allowed to access them. The Static IP service will reserve a specific IP address that will always be used for your WiscVPN connection.
Pricing
uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu and departmental VPN — with or without static IP or Multi-factor Authentication (MFA-Duo) — is a no-fee based service.
Available to
- Departments
- Faculty
- IT staff
- Researchers
- Staff
- Students