[4/27/2020] Using Harvard VPN

April 27, 2020

It is strongly encouraged by HUIT that faculty and staff use Harvard's VPN (Virtual Private Network) while working from home. This not only ensures that your connection is secure, but also allows your computer to continue to receive updates.

Check to see if your computer has VPN installed:

Windows:

  • Click the Cortana search icon at the bottomleft corner of the screen and type in “VPN”
  • search windows for vpn
  • If “Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client” appears, you are all set.

Mac:

  • Press cmd + spacebar to bring up the Spotlight Search and type in “VPN”
  • If “Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client” appears, you are all set.

 

Installing the Cisco AnyConnect app

Note: While logged into Harvard VPN using the Cisco AnyConnect app, all internet traffic from your computer will traverse the Harvard network and is subject to all applicable policies. Learn more about acceptable use on the Information Security website.

  1. In any web browser, navigate to https://vpn.harvard.edu where you will see the login screen below.
    sign into the harvard vpn website to install
  2. You will be prompted to authenticate with HarvardKey and two-step verification.
    1. In the HarvardKey Login Name, enter your HarvardKey email address.
    2. Enter your HarvardKey password.
    3. Enter your two-step verification code from the Duo Mobile app, or via other methods.
      • Push: To receive a push, leave this field blank and hit “Login.” You will be sent a push. You will have 30 seconds to accept this before it times out.
  3. Once your login has been accepted, you will be prompted to agree to acceptable use of Harvard's network. Click continue to proceed to the download.

    you will be prompted to accept harvards acceptable use policy
  4. On the next page, the website will automatically detect your operating system. Click Download for (your OS) to save or launch the installer.

    download and install
  5. Proceed through the prompts to complete the installation of the Cisco AnyConnect app.

    IMPORTANT: For macOS High Sierra (10.13), you will receive a warning that a system extension is blocked. To enable the Cisco AnyConnect app to successfully connect to Harvard VPN, click Open Security Preferences in the dialog box shown.

    install may be blocked on mac

    In the Security & Privacy preference pane that is presented, click Allow to enable the software to complete the installation.

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  6. When finished, the Cisco AnyConnect app will open and your VPN connection may start automatically. If not, proceed to the next section to finish connecting.

 

Connect to VPN using the Cisco AnyConnect app

  1. After you have successfully installed or already had the Cisco AnyConnect app, launch it from:
    • macOS: Finder > Applications > Cisco, or Spotlight Search "Cisco AnyConnect"
    • Windows: Start > All Apps > Cisco, or Windows search "Cisco AnyConnect"
  2. If opening the app for the first time, you may find that the server field is blank. Enter vpn.harvard.edu and click Connect.
    enter vpn dot harvard dot edu and click connect
  3. In the HarvardKey Login Name, enter your HarvardKey email address.
    enter your email as your username
  4. Enter your HarvardKey password.
    enter your harvardkey password
  5. Enter your two-step verification code from the Duo Mobile app, or via other methods.
    enter 2 step code from duo app
    • Push: To receive a push, leave this field blank and hit “Login.” You will be sent a push. You will have 30 seconds to accept this before it times out.
  6. After filling in the required fields, click OK to connect.
  7. You will be brought to the acceptable use policy window. Click Accept to complete your connection to Harvard's VPN.
    harvards acceptable use policy
  8. To disconnect, click the AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client icon in your task bar or dock to bring up the AnyConnect dialog box. Click Disconnect to end your VPN session.
    to disconnect click disconnect

 

 

 

See also: remotework