By combining the Virtual Private Network (VPN) and Remote Desktop, Concordia staff, faculty and students can access a device and computer from an off-campus site.
If you already have FortiClient installed on your computer, please contact the Service Desk by email or by phone at extension 7613.
If you never had FortiClient installed on your computer, please follow the steps below.
Learn more on multi-factor authentication
Select the option that corresponds to your operating system for instructions on how to download and configure the installation software.
To install FortiClient on your Windows computer, please follow the FortiClient Windows install guide
To install FortiClient on your Mac computer, please follow the FortiClient Mac install guide
Please contact the Service Desk by email or by phone ay extension 7613
Once FortiClient is installed please wait approximately 60 seconds before attempting to make a connection to allow the agent time to obtain licensing information and apply any needed updates.
After clicking on SAML Login you will be prompted to enter your Concordia email address and password. For reference, for faculty and staff, this will be first.last@concordia.ca and for students, it will be netname@live.concordia.ca.
It is important to ensure you use your email address and not your netname. Using your netname will result in an error message.
You will be prompted to approve your sign-in request with MFA.
The final screen will ask if you wish to stay signed in.
• If you are using a personal computer, you can select “yes”, and you will not be prompted to sign in again on your device for the remainder of the day when accessing your VPN.
• If you are using a shared computer, borrowed from the library for example, please select “no” to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not gain access to your VPN connection once the device is returned.
If your VPN has suddenly stopped working, it may be because the VPN has undergone a recent update. Please reboot your computer and try to connect to the VPN again. If the VPN remain inaccessible following a reboot, please contact the Help Desk at help@concordia.ca or 514-848-2424 ext.7613
From your home computer, open the App Store.
Download and install Microsoft Remote Desktop.
Open Microsoft Remote Desktop by navigating to Launchpad > Microsoft Remote Desktop.
Click Add PC.
In the PC name field, enter the full computer name of your office computer (from Step 1).
Click Add.
Please check your system parameters by clicking the windows icon> select “settings”> “system”> “about” and verity the “system type” (32-bit or 64-bit). Select your VPN download based on your system type.
You will only need to connect to the VPN to access certain hosted software applications, computer labs/servers or your work computer when you are off campus. The VPN will not encrypt or protect your internet navigation.
Here are examples of applications that require a VPN connection when you are off campus
GCS mail service (@encs.concordia.ca mailboxes)
Jabber (Concordia phone system)
SAP
Click on the Windows icon (bottom left)
Click on Settings
Click on System
Click on About and look at the Device Name
Click the Apple Menu, located in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
For macOS Ventura and newer:
For macOS, Monterey and older:
Please open a ticket with the Service Desk by email.
For assistance you may reach the Service Desk via email at help@concordia.ca
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