Web Authentication Guide

Windows Domain Users

Most Windows users should be logged into the Caledonian domain. In this situation the web authentication process is transparent.

If a user attempts to access a page blocked under the IT Security Policy, an information page similar to Figure 1 will be displayed.

Figure 1

Internet Explorer (IE) users may first be prompted with a dialog box similar to that shown in Figure 2. Click Yes. The information page should now be displayed.

Figure 2

Non domain and Mac Users

A separate web authentication process requires to be completed before external Internet content in any form can be retrieved – whether web pages, RSS Feeds, software updates, images within email etc. It is therefore wise to web authenticate immediately after logging into the PC/Mac.

The web authentication process requires that pop up blocking is turned off for gcal.ac.uk web sites. If this is not done the authentication session will timeout after 1 minute. This will necessitate a repeat of the authentication process. See Appendix A for further information on configuring Popup Blockers.

Additionally, the web authentication process requires Java to be installed on the system. Appendix B walks through the Java installation process if this is not already present.

To authenticate, open a web browser and navigate to an external web page.

The web access authentication page will be displayed and the user prompted to enter their domain login credentials (Figure 3).
 

Figure 3

After successfully authenticating, a separate window will open (Figure 4). This window can be minimised but should not be closed during the current login session. Closing this window will require the user to re-authenticate.

Appendices

1. Disabling Popup Blockers (pdf)
2. Java Installation (pdf)

Last Updated: 28 August, 2008
Edited by: Learning Services Web Team