Installing and Using Cisco VPN on Mac

Question

Where is Cisco AnyConnect (Cisco VPN) on my Mac?

What is a VPN?

Overview

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet, masking your IP address and encrypting your data to enhance privacy and security, especially when using public Wi-Fi. 

Installing:

1. In a web browser navigate to https://vpn.mnsu.edu.
2. Enter your starid and password and click on Login.
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3. On the left hand side, click on AnyConnect.
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4. In the middle of the screen, click on Start AnyConnect.
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5. Click on Download for macOS.  
   • Note:  This page will detect your operating system..
   • Tip: For detailed instructions for your operating system, click the Instructions button in the lower right corner and scroll down.
6. This should download the DMG container to your downloads folder.
7. Double-click on anyconnect-macos dmg file.
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8. This will open the DMG contain and display a anycoonect-macos pkg file.  Doublick-click on pkg file.
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9. Click on Continue.
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10. Read the Software License Agreement and click on Continue.
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11. If you agree and want to continue the install Click on Agree.
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12. Click on Install to start the installation.
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13. Enter for your mac local username and password and click on Install Software.
    • Note:  The username is typically filled out already and you may only need to enter the password.  This is the user name and password you login to your laptop with.
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14. You should get some pop ups.  One that gives your directions on how to enable System Extensions for Cisco and a Security Extension Blocked pop up.  On the Security Extension Blocked pop up click on Open Security Preferences.
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15. Click on the lock icon in the lower left corner.
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16. Enter for your Mac local user name and password and click on Unlock.
    • Note:  The user name is typically filled out already and you may only need to enter the password.  This is the user name and password you login to your laptop with.
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17. Click on Allow.
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18. This should open a pop up for Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter.  Click on Allow.
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19. You should get a notification that the System Extension has been enabled.
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20. On the install you should get a notification that the installation was successful.  See below for running the Cisco AnyConnect.
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21. Depending on the version of macOS you may get prompted if you want to delete the DMG container we used.  If you want to keep it click on Keep and if you don't want to keep it click on Move to Trash.
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Running:

1. Click anywhere on the desktop, then at the top menu bar, click Go and select Applications.
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2. Navigate to the Cisco folder then double-click Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client to open it.
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3. If prompted for a Server, enter vpn.mnsu.edu and click on Connect.
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4. Enter your StarID for the Username and your StarID Password for the Password and click OK.
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5. Your VPN client will now connect.  If you want to disconnect click on the Disconnect button.
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6. To verify that you are connected on a Mac, look for the circle with the padlock in the upper right hand corner of your screen. 
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7. If you would like to get to the window to disconnect or view the status.  Click on the Cisco icon with the Padlock and click on Show AnyConnect Window..
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