Kia ora koutou

From time to time usernames and/or IP addresses can be blocked by our ezproxy security measures (looking for possible compromised usernames and blacklisted IP addresses).

If a username is blocked, the user will still be able to use their UC username and password to log in to other UC systems but will get a login failed message when trying to login to the Remote Access Login screen to access library databases/e-resources from off campus.

If an IP address is blocked the Remote Access Login screen will not load at all and they’ll just see a blank screen.

EServices, Margaret and some library staff have access to systems to check if a username has been blocked but we have now made a tool for anyone to use to check this e.g. front desk staff or people staffing AskLIVE:

http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/webapps/public/ezproxy_block_check.php

The tool is also on the Horizon reports page under User Services.

Enter an username or IP address into the form to check if they’ve been blocked.  The tool will usually give a reason for a block – the notes may list country codes if the username has been flagged due to multi-country login.

The simple solution for a blocked username is to change IT password – the block will clear automatically within an hour.  The most common reason usernames are blocked is logins from multiple countries around the same time – this can happen with VPN use so it’s worth pointing out to the user to try and avoid using VPNs for accessing our databases.

Blocked IP addresses should be referred to eServices.

Ngā mihi,

Romy (on behalf of eServices)