How to connect my macOS device to the VPN

IMPORTANT

Before you can get connected to the VPN, you must have a working DUO Mobile (MFA) account, as you will need to approve a DUO push notification in Step 8.

If you need any assistance in setting up DUO, please click the button below for guidance.

You will also need to know the password for your computer, as you will be prompted to enter it several times during the installation.

DUO Mobile - guidance

Step 1: Download file

Please check that you do not have any prior installations of a VPN client installed, such as OpenVPN and/or TunnelBlick as this will prevent the Cisco Secure Client installer from running correctly. If you do, uninstall them first, then continue. 

Download the file called MacOS VPN Client from the ITS-Software Downloads Learn module.

Once you have downloaded the file, please return here to follow the install instructions.

Cisco Secure Client installer

Step 2: install the Cisco Secure Client

Double click on the file you have just downloaded:

Screen Prompt to install the downloaded file

then double click on the installer file.

Additional Screen Prompt to install the downloaded file

You now need to click through several screens:

  • Introduction / Welcome to the Cisco Secure Client Installer – click Continue
  • Licence / Software Licence Agreement – click Continue
  • Terms of the Software Licence Agreement – click Agree
  • Installation Type / Standard install on “<disk name>” – click Install

At this point you will need the password for your computer. Enter your password, then click Install Software.

Additional Screen Prompt to confirm the file install

After a few seconds, you should see that the installation was successful. Click Close.

Additional Screen Prompt to confirm the file install completed

If you see any other message at this point, please contact IT Services with screenshots.

Step 3: Allow System Extension

After clicking Close, you will see the message System Extension Blocked. Click Open Security Preferences.

Mac security preferences Screen Prompt

Next, Click the lock to make changes (bottom left), and again enter your computer’s password when prompted.

Mac Security & Privacy setting screen prompt

After entering your password, the lock will now show as open. Click Allow at the bottom right.

Mac Security & Privacy setting screen prompt to confirm selected option

Next, click Allow on the Socket Filter box.

Mac network prompt box to confirm option

Finally, you should see that the System Extension has been successfully enabled. Click Dismiss.

Mac System extension confirmation prompt box

Step 4: Launch the Cisco Secure Client

Once you have successfully installed the Cisco Secure Client and allowed the System Extension, then type Cisco into the Spotlight Search (the magnifying glass icon on the top bar) and double click on Cisco Secure Client.

List to Select Cisco secure client with logo

Step 5 : Check settings

Before you connect to the Cisco Secure Client for the first time, please do the following:

1. Click on the small cog in the lower left of the window.

Cisco secure client prompt box

2. In the window which appears, make sure that Allow local (LAN) access when using VPN (if configured) is ticked, and then close the window.

Cisco secure client preferences prompt box

3. Close the Preferences window.

 

Step 6 : First time connection

The first time you connect to the client, you will need to type

vpn.lboro.ac.uk

into the Cisco Secure Client box, as shown.

Once you have typed this in exactly as shown, press Connect.

NB – DO NOT attempt to visit vpn.lboro.ac.uk in a web browser. This will not work.

Cisco secure client with LU URL display

Step 7 : Username/password and MFA authentication

After pressing Connect, a box will appear, asking for your º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ username and password.

Make sure you enter your º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ USERNAME, not your email address or student ID number.

After entering your username and password and pressing OK, the client will pause.

Cisco Secure Client user login prompt

*** Now, check your mobile device for a DUO push notification, and approve it. ***

IMPORTANT – the Cisco Secure Client will NOT prompt you to “Check for a DUO push” – you just need to remember.

If you see a message saying “Authentication failed” immediately after pressing OK on your username/password, this means that either your username, your password, or both, is wrong. Please correct them, then try again.

Step 8 : Approve DUO push notification

Press 'Approve' on the DUO push notification, and the VPN client should finish connecting.

If you do not approve the connection within 50 seconds, you will see the message “Connection attempt has timed out. Please verify Internet connectivity”.

Prompt box for Duo portal

If you do not receive a DUO push notification at all, try the following:

  • If you have more than one device registered with DUO, make sure you check all of your devices for the push notification.
  • If you only have one device, but are not receiving the push notification, then open the DUO app on your mobile device FIRST, then try connecting to the VPN via the Cisco Secure Client.
  • If neither of these options work, please contact IT Services, stating what type of device you are using.

Step 9 : Confirming successful connection

Once successfully connected, you will see a locked padlock on the Cisco Secure Client icon.

Cisco Secure Client logo with padlock icon

If you double-click on the icon, you will see a tick, and the words Connected to vpn.lboro.ac.uk

Cisco secure client Connection confirmation

Step 10 : Disconnecting from the VPN

When you no longer need to be connected to the VPN, simply press Disconnect.