How to Upgrade the Cisco Anyconnect Secure Mobility VPN client

Overview

This document outlines how to upgrade the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client used for the campus VPN service. These upgrades are necessary to keep our campus network and services secure.

This article is divided into the following sections:

Upgrading on a Windows/PC

Upgrading on a MacOS/Mac device

Instructions

Upgrading on a Windows/PC

Upgrading on a Windows/PC device is very straightforward.  Once you initially connect to the VPN service using your existing client, the upgrade will occur automatically without user intervention.  After you complete step 1 below, the remaining steps merely describe the upgrade process.

  1. Connect to the VPN service as you have in the past by launching the "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client" app on your device.  Make sure the the connection is listed as: vpn.oswego.edu/facstaff.  Login using your Laker NetID and password. 
     
  2. You should now see the client trying to establish a connection to the campus VPN service.  At this point, it is determining if there is a new client for you to upgrade to.  After a minute or two, it will determine there is a new client available and you will see the status change to downloading the client.  Depending on the speed of your network connection, this could take a few minutes.

    Rectangular window showing the text that says "Downloading Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility"

     
  3.  After it has finished downloading, the client will automatically install.  A new window will display during this process. There should be no prompts.  Please do not quit the application while it is installing.

    Rectangular window stating the client is installing

     
  4. Once the client has been installed, the installation window will disappear and you should now be connected to the campus network.  If you find you are unable to access campus digital services, try rebooting your computer and re-launching the client.  Also, verify that is connecting to vpn.oswego.edu/facstaff.

 

Upgrading on a MacOS/Mac device

Upgrading on Mac OS/Mac devices is also relatively straightforward.  The client will auto-upgrade, but then there will be a manual step of allowing it in security settings on your Mac.

  1. Connect to the VPN service as you have in the past by launching the "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client" app on your device.  Make sure the connection to connect to is listed as: vpn.oswego.edu/facstaff.  Log in using your Laker NetID and password. 
     
  2.  You should now see the client trying to establish a connection to the campus VPN service.  At this point, it is determining if there is a new client for you to upgrade to.  After a minute or two, it will determine there is a new client available and you will see the status change to downloading the client.  Depending on the speed of your network connection, this could take a few minutes. 
     
  3.  After it has finished downloading, the client will automatically install.  A new window will display during this process. Please do not quit the application while it does the installation. 

    Rectangular window stating the client is being installed
  4.  Once the client finishes installing, two windows will open.  One is an "Attention Required" window saying the AnyConnect extension is being blocked.  You can close this window by clicking on the red circle in the upper left corner.

    window alerting user that there is an extra step to take
    The other window is a "System Extension Blocked."  Click the "Open System Settings" button.

    image showing System Extension Blocked with option to open system settings


     
  5.  Next, the "Privacy & Security" window will open.  Make sure "Privacy & Security" is selected from the list of applications on the left side of the window.  Then, in the section that reads: "System software from application Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter was blocked from loading," click the "Allow" button.

    image showing Privacy and Security with the Allow button highlighted

     
  6.  Your Mac will ask you to authenticate using the username and password you use to login to your Mac.  Enter those credentials.
  7. A new window will open called: "Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter."  Click the "Allow" button.

    Cisco Socket window with the Allow button highlighted
  8.  The software is now installed and configured. You can now proceed with accessing campus digital services.  If the Privacy & Security window is still open, you can close it.  If you find you are unable to access campus digital services, try rebooting your computer and re-launching the client. Also, verify that is connecting to vpn.oswego.edu/facstaff. 

 

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Need additional information or assistance? Contact CTS.

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