Browser Changes and Remote Access Issues

Browser Changes and Remote Access Issues

Why is this happening?

There have been changes to privacy laws. Companies don’t want to get sued, so they need to make browsers more secure. The focus is on the commercial web and ad trackers, but our authentication uses some of the same tools behind the scenes.


Troubleshooting Tips

  1. Be sure front-line staff are aware of these ongoing browser changes.
  2. Let users know their privacy settings could be a factor. (Especially Apple's Private Relay, Chrome IP Protection and non-institutional VPNs.) Trying different browsers and devices is a good troubleshooting technique.


Other Things to do:

  1. Consider how you are handling on-campus users in EZproxy, which can be affected when you use functionality based on the browser IP address, such as AutoLoginIP and ExcludeIP. How do you want to handle this? And if you are making a change, do you want to time it for a break between terms?
  2. You might want to add some information about these changes to your EZproxy login pages.
  3. If you are a MnPALS member, log in to our Discussion area for more detailed help here: https://palssupport.zohodesk.com/portal/en/community/topic/browser-changes-may-disrupt-access-to-resources-support-materials
  4. If there is a vendor that concerns you, feel free to ask them about their progress with this issue.
  5. The experts recommend that people should review authentication language in contracts with vendors and also check what data is being passed back to vendors.

What is Happening?

To recap, there are several parts to the browser changes. Most significantly:
    
1 - Blocking third-party cookies - We are not too worried about this one.

2 - Hiding local IP addresses - This is already happening for Apple users and Chrome will start rolling it out soon.

3 - Removing support for Link Decoration in URLs - Our links use link decoration. For example, here is the link we use for Academic Search Premier:
https://xyzproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=aph

Everything after the ? is technically link decoration. We are not yet sure how or when things will change for link decoration.

Currently they are focused on social media log-ins and a new system, called Federated Credential Management (FedCM).

 

Updates from Vendors


OCLC
  1. Presentation 5/23/23 - https://www.oclc.org/en/events/2023/myths-facts-about-ezproxy-fedcm-browser-changes.html
  2. Presentation 12/14/23 - https://community.oclc.org/t5/ezproxy-recordings/navigating-the-evolving-landscape-updates-on-ezproxy-federated/ta-p/50400
  3. Message - https://help.oclc.org/Library_Management/EZproxy/Troubleshooting/Will_EZproxy_be_supported_with_the_planned_browser_privacy_features_being_introduced_by_Google_and_others

EBSCO
  1. Presentation - https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/z4u2lyhc1c?mkt_tok=Njg5LUxOUS04NTUAAAGN3A5fGltOcmZ2bqnMJXzwGdY7KbgddgzTgwboeQgNuC4vWur3BX0OV1g-ksnEWl4z8HAMguBOdJNxVwA5RGMF_TDjIORO8H7OnukCdTB_WHh9bLw
  2. What to Know About Changes to Major Browsers: Top Eight Takeaways from ALA Annual - https://www.ebsco.com/blogs/ebscopost/2492355/what-know-about-changes-major-browsers-top-eight-takeaways-ala-annual
  3. Browser Changes: What, When, and How to Prepare your Library’s Authentication - https://connect.ebsco.com/s/article/Browser-Changes-What-When-and-How-to-Prepare-your-Library-s-Authentication?language=en_US

Other Resources:

  1. Access Apocalypse? Be Prepared for Anything - https://niso.cadmoremedia.com/Title/03ac4316-a958-4f30-a8b5-6b70f71bf96d
  2. The Q&A is also interesting - https://niso.cadmoremedia.com/Title/015811de-912a-437b-b52b-e67deb8f88b0How
  3. Federated Authentication Works - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjvC_PUj4CI
  4. OpenAthens - https://www.openathens.net/
  5. Federated Identity Community Group - https://www.w3.org/community/fed-id/
  6. FAQ - https://seamlessaccess.org/learning-center/browser-faq-librarians/
  7. Message from ALA: https://connect.ala.org/discussion/news-from-the-ala-core-federated-authentication-committee-expect-big-changes-to-identity-authentication-over-the-next-few-years-1#bm80fa8e5e-7062-4417-baa1-5e1712a1ce5e
  8. NISO summary - https://www.niso.org/niso-io/2023/04/niso-tech-advisory-browser-changes
  9. FedCM: An update on the efforts between the R&E community and browser vendors - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-punx3kJ8w
  10. Browser changes and e-resource access at ERMN 2024 - https://z.umn.edu/ermn2024browsers


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