Connecting to the UCL VPN with macOS 13 (Ventura) , 14 (Sonoma) or 15 (Sequoia)

This guide explains how to connect to the UCL Virtual Private Network (VPN) which will enable you to access to a variety of UCL services and resources from outside of UCL.

This guide is aimed at...

• Staff
• Students
• IT Administrators
• SLMS staff
• Researchers

Before you start...

• You must be aware of and abide by the UCL Computing Regulations
• You must be aware of and abide by the JANET Acceptable Use Policy
• You need your UCL user ID & password – found on the front of your registration slip
• An internet connection outside the UCL network e.g. from home
• A Mac with anti-virus installed (see Anti-virus requirements)

Anti-virus requirements

An anti-virus is required to access the UCL VPN service.

For home/personal machines we recommend WithSecure (available for free to students and staff from UCL's Software Database)

For UCL-owned machines we recommend WithSecure (available from UCL's Software Database)

Instructions

If you have already completed the Installing the Client steps you can skip to Connecting to the UCL VPN.

Installing the Cisco Secure Client

1. Download the Cisco Secure Client installation file (your UCL user ID and password may be required)

2. When prompted, choose Open with or Save File (options depend on which web browser you are using)

3. If the installation file does not mount automatically, open the file from the location it was saved and double-click to mount

4. Double-click the AnyConnect.pkg file to begin the installation process (Fig.1)

5. Click Continue on the Welcome and License Agreement windows (Fig.2)

6. Agree to the terms of the software licence agreement (Fig.3)

7. Ensure only VPN and Secure Firewall Posture are selected and click Continue (Fig.4)

8. Click Install to start installing the Cisco Secure Client (Fig.5)

9. You will be prompted for a password. This is your local computer password and not your UCL user ID and password.

10. An Action Required window will open, and a System Extension Blocked notification.

11. Read the Action Required window and follow the instructions to enable Cisco Secure Client – Anyconnect VPN Service, click on Open System Settings and open the padlock. (Fig.6)

12. Open the Cisco Secure Client – Notification and click allow. (Fig.7)

13. Click Allow on the "Cisco Secure Client" Would Like to access files in your Desktop folder (Fig.8)

14. Cisco Secure Client and the System Extension have now been successfully installed. You can click OK on System Extension Blocked window and Close on The installation was successful window (Fig.9)

Connecting to the UCL VPN

1. Open Cisco AnyConnect by going to Applications > Cisco > Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client from the Finder or by searching "Cisco AnyConnect" from Spotlight (command + spacebar)
2. In the server address box (Fig.10), enter vpn.ucl.ac.uk and click Connect
   
3. You will be prompted for your username and password (Fig.11)
    

4. Enter the following details:

Group: RemoteAccess
Username: Your UCL userID@ucl.ac.uk
Password: Your UCL password

The Remote Access VPN now uses Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), this provides additional security and means you won’t have to enter your credentials every time you log in. 

There are more details on how MFA works here.

5. If you do not have an anti-virus installed or your anti-virus has been disabled/is not up to date you will receive a Login denied message. Please ensure your computer meets the anti-virus requirements before attempting to connect again.

6. If your computer meets the anti-virus requirements you will receive a notification saying you are connected to vpn.ucl.ac.uk (Fig.12) The Cisco AnyConnect icon in the menu bar will also display with a padlock (Fig.13) You will now be able to access services (e.g. MyHR and MyFinance) that are not available outside the UCL network.

7. To disconnect from the UCL VPN click the Cisco AnyConnect icon in the menu bar and select Disconnect (Fig.14)

8. The icon in the menu bar will now display without a padlock (Fig.15)

9. For subsequent connections to the UCL VPN click on the Cisco AnyConnect icon in the menu bar and select Connect (Fig.16)

Help and support