How to Configure Cisco Secure Client VPN Client for Mac

Overview

Stanford's VPN allows you to connect to Stanford's network as if you were on campus, making access to restricted services possible. To connect to the VPN from your Mac you need to install the Cisco Secure VPN client.

Two types of VPN are available:

• Default Stanford (split-tunnel).  When using Stanford's VPN from home, we generally recommend using the Default Stanford split-tunnel VPN. This routes and encrypts all traffic going to Stanford sites and systems through the Stanford network as if you were on campus. All non-Stanford traffic proceeds to its destination directly.
• Full Traffic (non-split-tunnel).  This encrypts all internet traffic from your computer but may inadvertently block you from using resources on your local network, such as a networked printer at home. If you are traveling or using wi-fi in an untrusted location like a coffee shop or hotel, you may wish to encrypt all of your internet traffic through the Full Traffic non-split-tunnel VPN to provide an additional layer of security.

You can select the type of VPN you want to use each time you connect.

Install the VPN client

1. Download the Cisco Secure Client installer for Mac.
2. Double-click the InstallAnyConnect.pkg file to start the Cisco AnyConnect Installer wizard.
3. When the Welcome window displays, click Continue.
   
   
4. Select your hard drive as the destination where you want to install Cisco Secure Client and then click Continue.
   
   
5. Click Install to perform a standard installation of the software.
   
   
6. 6. At the prompt, use your Touch ID or choose to use your administrator account password for the Mac and click Install Software.
   
   
7. You will be prompted to enable the “Cisco Secure Client - Anyconnect VPN Service” in your system settings.
   
8. To do that, open your “System Settings” and navigate to “General” and then “Login Items” and then click the switch to enable “Cisco Secure Client - Anyconnect VPN Service”:
   
9. When the software has finished installing, click Close.
   
   

Connect to the Stanford VPN

1. To launch the VPN client, open your Applications folder and navigate to Cisco > Cisco Secure Client.app.
2. When prompted for a VPN, enter su-vpn.stanford.edu and then click Connect.
   
    
3. Enter the following information and then click OK:
   • Group: select Default Stanford split- tunnel (non-Stanford traffic flows normally on an unencrypted internet connection) or Full Traffic non-split-tunnel (all internet traffic flows through the VPN connection)
   • Username: your SUNet ID
   • Password: your SUNet ID password
   
   
4. Next, the prompt for two-step authentication displays.
   • Enter a passcode or enter the number that corresponds to another option (in this example, enter 1 to authenticate using Duo Push on an iPad).  You may have to scroll down the list to see all of your options. Then click Continue.
   • If your only registered authentication method is printed list, hardware token, or Google Authenticator, the menu does not display. Enter a passcode in the Answer field and click Continue.
      
   
5. Once the VPN connection is established, the Cisco Secure Client icon with a small lock appears in the dock.
   

Disconnect from the Stanford VPN

1. Click the Cisco Secure Client icon with a small lock.
2. At the prompt, click Disconnect.