How do I Set Up the VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

Questions Answered in this Article

Answers

All faculty, staff and students have the ability to connect to the VPN.

*Please note: Installing and connecting to the VPN is only possible off-campus or not connected to hawkwifi.

Connecting to the VPN requires Duo Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enrollment. For more information, visit the 2FA website.

Install and Connect to the VPN on Windows

 

UNCW-owned Windows Computer

 

*Please note: The Cisco VPN client is pre-installed on UNCW-owned Windows computers. If you do not see "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client" in the Start Menu, please install it from Software Center. For more information, review the article "How do I Use Software Center on my UNCW-owned Computer?"

  1. Launch "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client" located in your Start Menu.

    This image highlights launching Cisco AnyConnect Client from the Windows Start Menu.
      
  2.  Click the "Connect" button.
  3. When prompted, enter your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and click "Next"
  4. Enter your password, then click "Sign In".
  5. Check your DUO device for a DUO push.
  6. Click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
    • Please note that due to our Microsoft configuration, you will be unable to stay signed in and will see this screen each time you connect.

*Please note: Connections may be slower when using a VPN. It is recommended you disconnect when finished with your UNCW work.

 

Personally-owned Windows Computer

*Please note: You cannot download the AnyConnect client using the Edge browser. Please use Chrome or Firefox to download this software.

  1. Go to https://vpn.uncw.edu. This link will only work from off-campus.
     
  2. Type in your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and password. Please type one of the following in the "2nd Password" field, then click "Login."
    • "push" - DUO will send a push notification to your registered phone with the Duo app installed. After you accept the Duo Push, the VPN will connect.
    • "SMS" - DUO will send a text message to your registered phone. The initial login will fail, and you will need to re-enter your username, password, and the text code that was just sent to your phone.
    • Type in the one-time code generated by your key fob or DUO app.
       
    VPN Login screen showing username, password, and 2nd password fields.
     
  3. In the bottom right-hand corner, click "Instructions."

    Screenshot of Cisco AnyConnect instructions window.
     
  4. Please follow the Cisco AnyConnect install instructions (below is a screenshot of those instructions found on the https://vpn.uncw.edu page), and stop after you complete "Step 8." Do not complete "Step 9." Please come back to these instructions to finish the AnyConnect install.  

    Screenshot of each step of the Cisco AnyConnect install instructions.
     
  5. Launch Cisco AnyConnect Client located in your Windows Start Menu. 

    This image highlights launching Cisco AnyConnect Client from the Windows Start Menu.
      
  6. If you see "asa" as shown in the image below, close the authentication window, and type: vpn.uncw.edu 

    Windows dialog boxes showing what to do if you see "asa" in the connection box. Close out the window and type "vpn.uncw.edu."
     
  7. Click "Connect."
     
  8. Type in your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and password. In the "Second Password" field, please type one of the following:
    • "push" - DUO will send a push notification to your registered phone with the Duo app installed. After you accept the Duo Push, the VPN will connect.
    • "SMS" - DUO will send a text message to your registered phone. The initial login will fail, and you will need to re-enter your username, password, and the text code that was just sent to your phone.
    • Type in the one-time code generated by your key fob or DUO app.

      The "Second Password" field will be replaced on subsequent logins with "DUO Option." This is just a text change.

      VPN showing DUO Options including Push and SMS
       
  9. Click "OK" to connect.

*Please note: Connections may be slower when using a VPN. It is recommended you disconnect when finished with your UNCW work.

 

Install and Connect to the VPN on Mac

 

UNCW-owned Mac Computer

 

  1. Install "Cisco AnyConnect VPN [Version number]" from Self Service. For more information, follow the article "How do I Use Self Service on my UNCW-owned Computer?"
     
  2. After installation, open "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client" from the Launchpad or Applications folder in Finder. If a new update is available for your client, it will be automatically downloaded.
     
  3. You may be prompted to grant permissions to the new client. If so, follow the prompts on your screen and open System Settings to grant the needed permissions.  Please continue to #5 in these instructions if you are not prompted. 

    Screen shot of Cisco secure client - AnyConnect VPN services - Action Required.
     
  4. If so, open "System Preferences" and go to "Security & Privacy." Click "Allow."

    The Security & Privacy icon highlighted in the MAC system preferences.'
  5. Once the VPN client is launched,Click the "Connect" button.
  6. When prompted, enter your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and click "Next"
  7. Enter your password, then click "Sign In".
  8. Check your DUO device for a DUO push.
  9. Click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
    • Please note that due to our Microsoft configuration, you will be unable to stay signed in and will see this screen each time you connect.

*Please note: Connections may be slower when using a VPN. It is recommended you disconnect when finished with your UNCW work.

Personally-owned Mac Computer

  1. Go to https://vpn.uncw.edu. This link will only work from off-campus.
     
  2. Type in your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and password. In the "2nd Password" field, please type one of the following, and then click "Login:"
     
    • "push" - DUO will send a push notification to your registered phone with the Duo app installed. After you accept the Duo Push, the VPN will connect.
    • "SMS" - DUO will send a text message to your registered phone. The initial login will fail, and you will need to re-enter your username, password, and the text code that was just sent to you.
    • Type in the one-time code generated by your key fob or DUO app.

      VPN Login Screen showing "group," "username," "password," and "2nd password" fields.
       
  3. In the bottom right-hand corner, please click "Instructions."

    Screenshot highlighting the "instructions" button in the lower right hand corner
     
  4. If you receive a prompt asking if you want to "Allow the download," click "Yes."
     
  5. You may be prompted to "Allow a Cisco System Extension." Please continue to #7 in these instructions if you are not prompted. 

    Screen shot of Cisco Secure Client - AnyConnect VPN Services
     
  6. If so, open "System Preferences" and go to "Security & Privacy." Click "Allow."

    The Security & Privacy icon highlighted in the MAC system preferences.
     
  7. Follow the Cisco AnyConnect install instructions (below is a screenshot of those instructions found on the https://vpn.uncw.edu page), and stop after you complete "Step 9." Do not complete "Step 10." Please come back to these instructions to finish the AnyConnect install.

    Screenshot of the Cisco AnyConnect instructions.
     
  8. When you get to "Step 10," please type the following in the Cisco AnyConnect client: vpn.uncw.edu

    Screen shot of AnyConnect VPN: Ready to connect. 2FA is required to connect.
     
  9. Click the "Connect" button.
  10. When prompted, enter your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and click "Next"

    Screen shot of UNCW Sign in.
     
  11. Enter your password, then click "Sign In".

    Screen shot of enter password.
  12. Click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
    • Please note that due to our Microsoft configuration, you will be unable to stay signed in and will see this screen each time you connect.

      Screen shot of stay signed in?
       
  13. Check the device listed on "Sent to" for a Duo push and verify your login by selecting "Approve".

    Screen shot of check for a Duo push.
     
  14. Once, the Duo push is approved, the login process will be complete, and you will be connected to VPN.

    Screen shot of Cisco Secure Client.
     

*Please note: Connections may be slower when using a VPN. It is recommended you disconnect when finished with your UNCW work.

 

 

IOS / iPadOS (iPhone and iPad)

*Please note: These instructions require you to be off-campus or not connected to hawkwifi. These instructions also require you to be signed in with an Apple ID. Please visit the Apple ID Support page if you do not have one or need to reset your password.

 

  1. Install "Cisco AnyConnect" from the App Store by searching for it and tapping "Get." Authenticate with your Apple ID if prompted.

    Picture of the Cisco AnyConnect with the Get button as an example of what the client should see
     
  2. Open the app (allow notifications if prompted), tap "Connections" on the left sidebar, and then "Add VPN Connection…"

    Picture of the AnyConnect screen with the Connections button highlighted on the left sidebar and add VPN connection highlighted in the center of the screen
     
  3. Enter "UNCW VPN" for the description and "https://vpn.uncw.edu" for the server address. Then, click "Save."

    Picture of the Add VPN connection screen with an example of where the description and server address should be entered and the save button is highlighted
     
  4. Choose "Allow" to install VPN. Authenticate with your device passcode/biometrics if prompted.
     
  5. Once the connection is saved, click the switch beside "AnyConnect VPN" to start the VPN connection.

    Image of the VPN connection screen with the AnyConnect VPN highlighted in the left navigation panel
  6. When prompted, enter your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and click "Next"
  7. Enter your password, then click "Sign In".
  8. Check your DUO device for a DUO push.
  9. Click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
    • Please note that due to our Microsoft configuration, you will be unable to stay signed in and will see this screen each time you connect.
  10. You are now connected to the VPN. You will know you are connected if you see "VPN" at the top-right corner of your screen. When you are finished with UNCW work, disconnect from the VPN.

    Picture of the top right of the iPad screen with a arrow showing where VPN should appear when connected

 

Install and Connect to the VPN on Android

*Please note: These instructions require you to be off-campus or not connected to hawkwifi. These instructions also require you to be signed in with your Google account. Please visit the Google Support page if you do not have one or need to reset your password.

  1. Install "Cisco Secure Client-AnyConnect" from the Google Play Store by searching for it and tapping "Install." Authenticate with your Google account if prompted.
     
  2. Open the app (allow notifications if prompted), and tap "Connections."
     
  3. From the "Connection Selector" window, tap the blue "+" icon in the bottom right corner.
     
  4. Enter "UNCW VPN" for the description and "vpn.uncw.edu" for the server address. Then, tap "Done."
     
  5. Once the connection is saved, tap the switch beside "AnyConnect VPN" to start the VPN connection.

    *Please note: If you receive a message about an untrusted VPN server, select "Changes Settings"> uncheck "Block Untrusted Servers." Then, retry step 5 above. If you receive a "Security Warning: Untrusted Certificate" message, select "Continue."

  6. When prompted, enter your UNCW username (e.g., abc1234) and click "Next."
     
  7. Enter your password, then click "Sign In."
     
  8. Check your DUO device for a DUO push.
     
  9. Click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
    • Please note that due to our Microsoft configuration, you will be unable to stay signed in and will see this screen each time you connect.
       
  10. If prompted, select "OK" on the connection request. You are now connected to the VPN. You will know you are connected if you see the key icon at the top of your screen. When you are finished with UNCW work, disconnect from the VPN.

    The "Connection request" window with the "OK" button in the bottom right circled in red.

If you need further assistance, submit a service request or CHAT with TAC.

88% helpful - 8 reviews
Print Article

Related Articles (2)

How do I log in to the VPN with the Duo Mobile app?
How to log in to the VPN with two-factor authentication (2FA).

Related Services / Offerings (1)

VPN (Virtual Private Network) Connections & Issues