What are proxy servers? Why am I getting an odd message about proxy servers when I log in? What do I do if I have a problem?

How should my campus proxy server be configured to access the ICPSR website? Why am I getting an odd message about proxy servers when I log in?

A proxy server is a sort of gateway computer used by many universities to make access easier for their students, faculty, and staff. If you’re seeing a message about proxy servers, you may have reached ICPSR via a link that directed you to ICPSR through a proxy server (rather than directly to our site).

To determine if you are accessing ICPSR through a proxy server, please review the URL of the page you are visiting. If you are visiting ICPSR directly, the URL will look like “https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/”. If you are visiting ICPSR through a proxy server, the URL may look something like, “https://www-icpsr-umich-edu.us1.proxy.openathens”.

If you are experiencing issues related to proxy servers, please try the following:

  • Open a private or “incognito” browser window
  • Copy and paste “icpsr.umich.edu” directly into the private window
  • Log in and retry the data download or analysis

Please contact icpsr-help@umich.edu for additional support, including a screenshot and the URL of the page where you are experiencing an issue.

Are you setting up a proxy server? Support information is available here: Using proxy servers with the ICPSR website

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