Accessing online Library resources from your own device: impact of global browser privacy changes
During 2025 web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge will implement new privacy functionality which will block websites from knowing a user’s IP address.
The Library subscribes to many online resources such as ebooks, full-text journal articles and databases. The online publishers of these resources will no longer be able to detect AU students and staff attempting to access content via devices you own, such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones, when connected to the campus network or eduroam wi-fi as they can now.
It will also no longer be possible to use GlobalProtect VPN to access these resources from your own devices when you are away from the campus or using other wi-fi services.
When these changes begin to take place, you can continue to access these online resources both on and off campus by
- signing into Primo with your AU username and password
- following the advice currently provided in the search result for off-campus access. This may require clicking an additional link on the publisher’s site and selecting Aberystwyth University from a menu of subscribing institutions. More detail in this FAQ
There will be further updates once it is known when the different browsers are changing. There are a small number of online resources subscribed to by the AU Library which are not yet enabled for access in this way.
Devices managed by the University such as teaching equipment, laptops loaned by Information Services, and computers located in computer rooms and libraries will not be affected.
If you have any questions please contact librarians@aber.ac.uk
Please continue to report any problems accessing online resources by using the Report a Problem button in the Primo search result, or by emailing ejournals@aber.ac.uk
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