The Boston College Wireless Network
The BC wireless network is available in every residence hall, as well as many other locations on campus, including libraries, classrooms, dining halls, and even outdoor common areas. Faculty, staff, students, and guests of Boston College may use the wireless network at BC.
Want to improve your wireless service?
Read these tips to improve wireless service.
Connecting to BC's wireless
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Learn how to configure your laptop: Windows 7 and Vista Learn how to activate Smartphones and Gaming Consoles on the BC network before connecting to BC's wireless.
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Learn how to activate Smartphones and Gaming Consoles on the BC network before connecting to BC's wireless.
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Secure wireless (bcsecure) is a secure wireless network service that connects to the Internet using WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2). WPA2 encrypts your data before it is transmitted over the wireless network, offering a much greater degree of privacy and security (BC username and password required). 
BostonCollege is an open, unsecure wireless network that is an alternative for older laptops that do not meet the requirements for bcsecure (BC username and password required). This network does not encrypt data. Therefore, information sent across the wireless network using BostonCollege is “in the clear.” Others might snoop or intercept data transmitted using the unsecured wireless service.
BostonCollege (for guest access) is available to guests of the University, including visiting faculty, conference/meeting attendees, colleagues from other institutions, sports media, parents, and friends who do not have a BC username and password. Guests may select the BostonCollege wireless service and setup as a Guest. Guest access provides limited, temporary Internet connections.FAQ
- I have a wireless network at home, will I still be able to use my wireless network at home?
- What kind of wireless card do I need to be able to use the wireless services at BC?
- What do I need for my laptop to use bcsecure, the secure wireless service?
- Where do I go for help with the BC wireless service?
- I am a visitor to Boston College. How can I access the Internet using wireless service at BC?
- I have a wireless network at home, will I still be able to use my wireless network at home?
Yes. Configuring your laptop to use any of the BC wireless services should not affect your home wireless network access.
- What kind of wireless card do I need to be able to use the wireless services at BC?
You need a wireless 802.11a/g/n-compliant network card.
- What do I need for my computer to use bcsecure, the secure wireless service?
Secure Wireless Requirements for Windows:- BC username and password
- A wireless 802.11a/g/n-compliant network card that is WPA2 compliant
- Windows XP with SP2 and greater
- Microsoft Secure Wireless hot-fix for Windows XP and updated wireless card driver (available in the instructions link listed below)
- Complete all steps to connect to the BC Secure Wireless Network:
Windows XP | Windows 7 and Vista
- BC username and password
- AirPort compatible wireless card or a wireless 802.11a/g/n-compliant network card
- OSX 10.3.9 or greater (Panther, Tiger v. 10.4, Leopard v. 10.5, Snow Leopard v. 10.6)
- Operating system updates (available in the instructions link listed below)
- Complete all steps to connect to the BC Secure Wireless Network: Mac OS X
- Where do I go for help with the BC wireless service?
Contact the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or via email at help.center@bc.edu.
- I am a visitor to Boston College. How can I access the Internet using wireless service at BC?
Boston College provides guests of the University, including parents, visitors, conference/meeting attendees, colleagues from other institutions, and sports media, with limited, temporary, Internet connections. Learn more about visitor network access.