Overview
The University of Richmond's network resources can be accessed by authenticated students, faculty, and staff using the University's Virtual Private Network (VPN) via an Internet connection. Security is provided by enhanced authentication and encryption technology.
The VPN allows secure access to some campus resources (Bannerforms, Cascade, OnBase, ROADS, Sending a Spiderbyte) from a remote or off-campus location. However, the VPN is *NOT* required for access to email, Blackboard, Box, BannerWeb, library resources, and many other UR applications.
The AnyConnect VPN software is installed and available by default on all UR managed computers and may be downloaded and installed on student and personal computers: Windows, macOS, Linux, including Android, and iOS devices as well. The instructions below can be used for how to install and configure VPN on these different types of devices.
Duo is required to download, install, and to use the AnyConnect VPN software. (How to enroll in Duo)
Details / Instructions
Install the AnyConnect VPN on macOS
- Navigate to the Software Download page.
- Choose VPN Client for macOS
- Click the Download File button and save it to your computer.
- Run the installer, choosing the necessary prompts. If asked to enter a password, type in your computer password.
- On MacOS Mojave (MacOS 10.14) through Sonoma (MacOS 14): after the installation finishes, you will be required to enable the System Extension and a Socket Filter (on macOS Big Sur) for Cisco AnyConnect. In the pop up window shown below, click on Open Preferences to automatically open System Preferences to Security & Privacy. Skip to Step 9 for Mac OS Sequoia (MacOS 15).
- In the Security & Privacy pane, confirm you are on the General tab and click the padlock in the lower left of the pane to unlock changes. Click Allow to allow the Cisco AnyConnect system extension and Socket Filter. Please note: on macOS Catalina or older operating systems, you may not see text referring to a socket filter in this pop up, but instead language asking to allow software for Cisco.
- For macOS Big Sur, you will also be prompted to approve the Socket Filter. Choose Allow in the pop up window.
- Once everything necessary has been approved, the pop up from step 5 will update to what is shown below to confirm that AnyConnect is installed and configured properly.
- On MacOS Sequoia (15): Open System Settings -> General -> Login Items & Extensions -> Network Extensions to locate and enable the Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter.
- With AnyConnect installed and successfully configured, search for the program in your Applications folder or Spotlight and run the program. For a first time configuration, type in cipher.richmond.edu for the server address field and press Connect. You will then be able to connect to the VPN using Duo.
- Additional instructions for connecting to VPN are available here (opens in new window).
Install the AnyConnect VPN on Linux
- Open a web browser and go to the Software Download page.
- Click on VPN for Linux and download the file.
- The download should then begin and will prompt you to save the file to your computer.
- Open a Terminal window and navigate to the directory where the file was saved. Run the .sh script with elevated privileges.
- Once the command has finished running, you should see a completion message.
- If using a Debian based linux distribution (e.g. Ubuntu) run: sudo apt install libpangox-1.0-0
If you are using a Fedora based linux distribution, run: sudo yum install pangox-compat
- Go to your applications and select the Cisco AnyConnect application.
- For a first time configuration, type in cipher.richmond.edu for the server address field and press Connect. Complete the required Duo authentication to finish connecting to the VPN.
- Additional instructions for connecting to VPN are available here (opens in new window).
See Also
VPN Frequently Asked Questions (opens in new window).
How to Connect to the VPN using Duo (opens in new window).