Remote

Configuration : System

  • Computer running Windows 10 or macOS 11 with connection to the internet.
    If you wish to enable video conferencing (where others can see you), then computer needs to be equipped with a camera (or you provide alternative such as USB camera or wirelessly connected iPhone)
  • Email client configured for your MIT email
    IS&T and cron recommend either Outlook or Apple Mail
    Should you ever have issues with your email client, you can always access your email and MIT calendar through owa.mit.edu
    More info: link
  • Valid MIT web certificate for your preferred browser
    In case of certificate issues, make sure all expired certificates are deleted. Remember that all certificates expire July 31 every year, and that CertAid is the best means of renewing/obtaining certificates for all browsers but Firefox
    More info: link
  • Global Protect VPN
    We recommend always using this VPN when off campus as it secures data transmission and ensures full access to all MIT resources (in effect it puts your computer on the MIT network just as though you were on campus)
    More info: Instructions : General Information
  • DUO two-factor authentication
    Surely you have already registered for DUO authentication. However we strongly recommend you check the devices registered for authentication, and make sure that:
    1. you have at least 2 devices registered
    2. one of them is your smartphone and the other your home phone or (preferably) a YubiKey. (For YubiKeys, visit IS&T at the Atlas center in E17-106 with laptop in hand or email servicedesk@mit.edu)

    More Info: macOS : Windows : General Info

Collaboration

Technology

  • Zoom: familiarise yourself with this tool as used in most classes, meetings etc. Begin by downloading the client: visit mit.zoom.us and click the 'Download Client' button at bottom center of page. Keep installed client up to date: launch client then select 'Check for Updates...' from menu
    More Info: General Info : Sign in : Best Practices : Test : Securing : Help : IS&T KB on Zoom
  • Zoom Sessions/Tutorials [STAFF]
  • OPTIONAL: Webex: most classes have standardized on Zoom, but some may still require Webex. If a class/meeting requires it, install the client
    More info: Sign in/Download : How To : Enable E2E Encryption
  • OPTIONAL: Slack [STAFF]: Unless you are familiar with Slack and think it applicable to your (teaching) environment, you may choose to forgo introducing yet another technology (into your remote classroom)
    More Info: link
  • OPTIONAL: ExplainEverything: 'enables you to draw, present, animate, create videos, and collaborate across devices. You can write, sketch, and interact with images and video together in real time, or record and narrate as you work for asynchronous sharing. It can be used “one-way”, as a teaching tool for you or your TA to explain ideas to students, or “shared”, allowing a group of students or collaborators to work together on a problem set or project, using the audio connection to talk as they scribble and sketch on a common whiteboard.' More info here
  • OPTIONAL: Panopto: 'allows anyone with MIT Touchstone authentication to record, edit, caption, store, stream and share videos. Instructors can use Panopto through Canvas or by itself. They can use it to make simple videos (recording yourself over PowerPoint or Keynote slides or other applications, for example) right in a web browser, or download the full application for more advanced capabilities such as video editing.' More information can be found here

Privacy Concerns

Note: cron encourage the use of products/services providing end-to-end (E2E) encryption. Without E2E, the product/service has access to your data and often retains the right to mine/distribute/sell that data at will. Further, the data may be shared with law enforcement without your being informed.

Note that the privacy policy links provided below my not reflect the terms negotiated by MIT. We are seeking clarification.

Optimization

  • To improve Zoom/Webex reliability:
    • Quit all applications other than Zoom/Webex
    • Quit/Pause anti-virus software
    • Quit/Pause backup software
    • Quit/Pause Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.
    • Quit VPN service
    • Connect to your home network with ethernet cable as opposed to wirelessly
  • To improve Zoom/Webex privacy:
    • Ask host if session is being recorded and distribution/retainment policies
    • Quit/Pause notification services
    • Quit Email and Messaging applications
    • Quit web browser or open tabs
    • Do not share your full screen--share specific applications only

Courseware

Classes will be run under one of the two class management systems below. Students will be advised which class is using which platform.

Note: cron encourage the use of products/services providing end-to-end (E2E) encryption. Without E2E, the product/service has access to your data and often retains the right to mine/distribute/sell that data at will. Further, the data may be shared with law enforcement without your being informed.

Note that the privacy policy links provided below my not reflect the terms negotiated by MIT. We are seeking clarification.

Software

Note: cron encourage the use of products/services providing end-to-end (E2E) encryption. Without E2E, the product/service has access to your data and often retains the right to mine/distribute/sell that data at will. Further, the data may be shared with law enforcement without your being informed.

  • OPTIONAL: [STAFF] AFS client or FTP client. Some users may need access to AFS lockers (you know who you are). Ensure your computer has AFS client or FTP client installed and confirm it works
    More info: link
    E2E: NO, though data encrypted in transit and at rest and hosted by MIT
    Privacy Policy: MIT
  • OPTIONAL: Dropbox. If you are a Dropbox user (most are), make sure you have the Dropbox client installed. If not, make sure you are registered for MIT's dropbox, then download from here and confirm you have access to 'Dropbox (MIT)' contents
    More info: link
    E2E: NO
    Privacy Policy: link

Misc

  • Set your office phone to send voice mail to email [STAFF]
    More info: link

MIT Resources

FAQ

  • How do I connect remotely to my office desktop? [STAFF]
    • ​Please do not. Any files you need access while off campus should be placed in AFS, Dropbox, OneDrive or on an external drive and taken home. If this is impossible, contact cron and we will advise further.
  • How do I connect remotely to my lab/research desktop?
    • ​If all you need is access to files, then follow suggestion above for Staff. Should you need the computer for processing and/or software, then take it off campus--however not without first consulting with cron
  • I mistakenly left files on my campus computer. How do I now access them?
    • ​Download the files you need from your campus computer's Code42 backups: Instructions or contact cron

Need Help? cron