How to get VPN access
VPN
When you log on to the virtual private network (VPN), it’s like working on a computer at AU: you have the same level of protection. In other words, your internet connection is encrypted, which makes it invisible to anyone who might want to intercept your data.
To academic staff
- Use the VPN as much as possible when working from home.
- But note that you may only use the VPN network if you’re working on AU equipment – that is to say, equipment provided and installed to you by AU, such as your work computer.
- If you can’t work on AU equipment but have to work on a personal pc instead, for security reasons, do not install or log onto VPN.
- If you are currently using your personal computer but you have an AU computer at the university, you are allowed to go to campus to pick up your equipment.
- If you are teaching remotely, you should temporarily log off the VPN network during the teaching session to ensure the best user experience. We also ask you to be careful not to share sensitive personal data and confidential information while teaching remotely, because your data isn’t encrypted when you’re not logged on the VPN.
- Be aware that the VPN can cause problems with online meetings, for instance. Log off during your meeting and log in again afterwards.
To administrative staff
- Use the VPN as much as possible when working from home.
- But note that you may only use the VPN network if you’re working on AU equipment – that is to say, equipment provided and installed to you by AU, such as your work computer.
- If you can’t work on AU equipment but have to work on a personal pc instead, for security reasons, do not install or log onto VPN.
- If you are currently using your personal computer but you have an AU computer at the university, you are allowed to go to campus to pick up your equipment.
- Be aware that the VPN can cause problems with online meetings, for instance. Log off during your meeting and log in again afterwards.
This is a VPN setup guide for employees at AU. You can use VPN to access some of AU’s services from home (i.e. access to shared drive) even though these services are usually only available when you are on the university’s network.
How to log on to VPN from your AU PC (Windows)
In order to log on to VPN, Cisco AnyConnect must be installed. In general, Cisco AnyConnect is already installed on AU PCs. If this is not the case, please follow the guide below how to install the client on your AU computer.
Note that you may only use the VPN network if you’re working on AU equipment – that is to say, equipment provided and installed to you by AU, such as your work computer.
1. Click the small arrow in the task bar at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
2. Click the Cisco AnyConnect icon.
If you cannot see the icon, search by writing ‘Cisco Secure Client’ in the start field and try to open the program this way.
3. In the field, write ‘remote.au.dk/’ followed by your faculty abbreviation. The faculty abbreviations are: ARTS, BSS, FA (the central administration), HE, ST.
4. Click ‘Connect’.
6. Enter the password you use to log on to your AU PC or mit.au.dk
7. Select your MFA (Two-factor authentication) method and follow the onscreen instructions on how to authenticate.
8. You can now check to see whether you are connected to VPN by clicking the small arrow in the task bar.
9. Then click the Cisco AnyConnect icon.
10. If you see a green checkmark on a padlock, you are connected to VPN.
How to log on to VPN from your AU Mac OS
In order to log on to VPN, Cisco AnyConnect must be installed. In general, Cisco AnyConnect is already installed on AU PCs (Mac OS). If this is not the case, please follow the guide on how to do this in the section ‘How to install the VPN client on a Mac OS’.
Note that you may only use the VPN network if you’re working on AU equipment – that is to say, equipment provided and installed to you by AU, such as your work computer.
How to log on to VPN
1. Open the folder ‘Programs’
2. Find the Cisco AnyConnect Client and double-click.
How to install the VPN-client on PC or Mac
If you do not have access to VPN on your AU computer, you may first need to install the Cisco AnyConnect client (Part of Cisco Secure Client).
You might need to set up Two-Factor authentication in order to use the download link.
VPN Client for Windows
1. Click on the link Windows Cisco Secure Client
2. In the upper right corner, click on the download icon and then click on the Cisco Secure Folder
3. Follow the on screen instructions. Please note that your local administrator rights in Heimdal needs to be assigned in order to install the package.
4. Once the install finishes, you can open your VPN Client by searching for “Cisco Secure Client”.
If you need to install the client for a Windows (Arm64) version, this can be downloaded from software.au.dk
VPN client for MacOS
1. Click onthe link MacOS Cisco Secure Client
2. Open the downloaded package and follow the on screen instructions. Please note that your local administrator rights in Heimdal needs to be assigned in order to install the package.
3. Once the install finishes, you can open your VPN Client by searching for “Cisco Secure Client”.
How to install and login to VPN client on Linux
If you do not have access to VPN on your AU Ubuntu Linux computer, you may first need to install the Cisco AnyConnect client (Part of Cisco Secure Client).
You might need to set up Two-Factor authentication in order to use the download link.
Install VPN client for Ubuntu Linux:
- From a web browser connect to https://software.au.dk
- Type in your credentials e.g. [au123456@uni.au.dk] and your password and then approve two-factor authentication
- Find and click the link to download and save the Cisco Client file according to your type of Linux OS
- Open a command prompt (e.g. open Terminal)
- Switch to the folder of the downloaded file.
- Enter: tar -vxzf cisco-secure-client-??????-filename.tar.gz for unpacking content to a folder
- Enter: cd cisco-secure-client-??????-foldername/vpn/ for the path to the installer script
- Enter: chmod u+x vpn_install.sh to make the setup file executable.
- Enter setup: sudo ./vpn_install.sh or sudo /bin/sh vpn_install.sh
When completed, you will see "Done!" and be returned to an empty
prompt.
To establish a VPN connection from GUI:
Make sure to have a proper network connection
- Launch the Cisco Secure Client from the "Application Menu" or invoke the following command: /opt/cisco/secureclient/bin/vpnui
- Type "remote.au.dk" in the "Connect To" field and click "Connect"
- Select the group that corresponds to your affiliation (ARTS, BSS, HE, ST or just AU-ACCESS).
- Type in your credentials e.g. [au123456@uni.au.dk] and password and click "Connect"
- Then approve two-factor authentication
A window will appear indicating that a successful connection was established.
Installation guides and logon with two-step authentication for consultants
Log on to VPN with two-step authentication
In order to improve security in connection with VPN access to AU’s network, it has been decided that two-step authentication (two-factor authentication) must be used.
How to register the consultant for two-step authentication
The external consultant’s AU contact person must ensure that the consultant is registered with the relevant email address and mobile phone number. Contact your local IT-support regarding the registration.