Please make sure you are familiar with the college’s current plans for the upcoming academic year. Please also check out Frequently Asked Questions for Students, Parents, and Families.
Swarthmore Account
To set or change your Swarthmore password, please visit password.swarthmore.edu. For step-by-step help visit our password change instructions. For help choosing a password visit our password tips page. All students attending class at Swarthmore College are assigned a username and a student ID number. With these two pieces of information, you will set your password at password.swarthmore.edu using our password reset instructions. Your password will expire every 180 days and will need to be reset. Accounts are created for new students when they enroll at Swarthmore. Accounts are created for visiting students when they enroll in a class. If you have not received a username and ID number, please contact the Registrar's Office (registrar@swarthmore.edu). Your username and password can be used to access various campus resources, such as:
Setting Your First Password
Visit password.swarthmore.edu. Enter your Swarthmore Username (example: jsmith1) and click submit. Choose to verify your account By providing answers to my secret questions. Enter your 9 digit student/employee ID Number. You will now be prompted to configure your personalized secret questions. Close the pop-up message and proceed to answer the default questions. It is best to keep your answers simple, so they are easier to remember. Then click the submit button. You will now be able to reset your password. Choose Reset my password to continue. Create a new password based on the rules provided in the right-hand column - you may have to scroll to the right to view. Click submit. View our page on tips for creating strong passwords. In the event that your password fails to verify, a red 'X' will appear next to the rule(s) that were not satisfied. Make the needed changes and click submit again. If your password is accepted, you will see a pop-up message confirming that you have successfully reset your password. Click exit to close the session. You may now close this browser window.
For instructions on how to reset your password in the future, please visit our Password Reset instructions page.
Duo Two-Factor Authentication
Swarthmore uses Duo two-factor authentication to help you keep your Swarthmore account secure. This kind of authentication requires something you know (like your account username and password) coupled with something you have (a device registered with the service such as your cell phone). Requiring interaction with a device you have with you ensures that only you are able to access your account, even if your password were to be compromised. For more information about Duo please visit our Getting Started with Duo page. The first time you log into your Swarthmore account you will be prompted to register a device for Duo. For step-by-step instructions on how the registration process works, plus helpful tips for different device types please visit our page on adding and managing devices in Duo. It is highly recommended that you register more than one device with Duo to make sure you never have an issue logging into your account.
Below are the steps for how to send yourself 10 passcodes.
Page lookup error: page "Sending Yourself 10 Texted Passcodes for Duo" not found. If you're experiencing issues please see our Troubleshooting Guide.
Swarthmore Virtual Private Network (VPN)
When you're working online remotely, use SwatVPN (VPN = virtual private network). The VPN client software for SwatVPN is called Cisco AnyConnect.
Not only does VPN secure the network communication between your computer and the College, but it also provides you access to resources only available from on-campus and the same level of network protection that you have while on campus. Note that if you don't "control" or own the network you're on (e.g. public WiFi), you should absolutely use VPN for any college-related activities. By the way, VPN isn't just for Macs and PCs, you can also install it on Chromebooks as well as iOS and Android devices.
How to Install the Swarthmore VPN
On a computer: Open a web browser Log in using your Swarthmore user name and password Wait while it checks for Java (may take a minute or so) If Java detection fails, you will be directed to download and install VPN Click the AnyConnect VPN link to download and save the file to your computer Go to the installer that downloaded to your computer, and double-click on it to install On a mobile device:
Logging Into the Swarthmore VPN
Below are the instructions for how to connect to the Swarthmore VPN from a macOS or Windows computer. For more information on how to connect to the Swarthmore VPN from other devices, please see our VPN and Off-Campus Access page.
Search for and launch the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. In the blank text field enter the server name “swatvpn2.swarthmore.edu/ShibSSO” then click Connect. This connection may already be listed as SwatVPN Login in the connection dropdown. Access the dropdown by clicking the arrow on the right-hand side of the text field. A new window will open with the Swarthmore login page. Enter your Swarthmore credentials and click Login. The DUO prompt will then appear in the window. If you have logged in and verified with DUO recently, this page may skip past the prompt. If not, verify with your DUO method to continue. You are now connected to VPN! The next time you open Cisco AnyConnect this connection should already be listed in the text field for you.
Anti-Virus Protection
Make sure you are running up to date antivirus (AV) software whether on a PC or Mac (yes, definitely Macs too). Being up to date includes the AV software itself and the signatures. Also, be sure to schedule a periodic scan of your computer (scheduled to run at least once a week). There are several companies that provide free antivirus software. These are just a few: Bitdefender: https://www.bitdefender.com.au/solutions/free.html (free for Windows) This information about antivirus updates applies primarily to personally-owned, non-ITS-managed computers.
Information Security
Keeping your account and data secure is very important. Using Duo, the Swarthmore VPN, and having up-to-date anti-virus protection is only a small part of a number of things you can do to ensure you keep your data secure. Please check our page on how to work and learn safely while remote. Please also check out our tips for better wifi.
Zoom
Zoom video conferencing with a pro license is available for all Swarthmore students. You can use this service to attend remote classes, meet with study groups, or virtually attend various campus events. You can access Zoom via the web at swarthmore.zoom.us or download the desktop or mobile applications. For more information on Zoom please visit our Zoom Video Conferencing page.
Software
Swarthmore provides software for download to assist our students in their learning. You can browse and install available software from our Software Installation page.
Please note that not all software listed on our installation page is available for students to download. Check the Access column - if it lists Students or Everyone it is available for student download. Make sure to also check the Platform column to ensure the software is compatible with your computer's operating system.
Contact the Help Desk
Below is a list of all of the ways you can contact ITS or find information: ITS Service Portal: support.swarthmore.edu Phone: x4357 (HELP) or 610-328-8513 Email: support@swarthmore.edu Check out our remote resources at https://swatkb.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/remote/overview Check our homepage at swarthmore.edu/its