VPN

LIST OF RESOURCES REQUIRING VPN

The Wellesley College VPN is available to all current faculty, staff, and students at Wellesley College for off-campus access to resources that are only accessible while on the Wellesley campus network.  You can access the VPN from many devices using the directions below.

When you are logged into the VPN, all internet usage of Wellesley sites on your computer will go through Wellesley's network. When connected to the VPN, your computer usage is subject to the Wellesley College acceptable use policy.

  • These instructions are for off-campus access to things like software license managers and grades, and unless you need to access to the secure systems listed below, this is the VPN you should be using.
  • If you require off-campus access to any of the following secure resources, you'll need to use the Secure VPN instead:
    • ​Vault
  • Windows 10 & 11 and macOS 11 - macOS 14:
  1. Open your internet browser (for example, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge) and go to https://vpn.wellesley.edu 
    (Note: This must be done from an off-campus network connection. If you are on campus, the Computing Helpdesk has such a connection.)
    Problems? Try a different browser! (Firefox instead of Chrome, for example)
  2. Log in, when prompted, with your Wellesley credentials.
  3. It will detect your computer's operating system.  That may take a few minutes.
  4. Click to download the installer.
  5. When it finishes downloading, open the installer and install the software as you would any other, following on-screen instructions until it is complete.
  6. If you're on a Mac and see a System Extension Blocked, Action Required, or similar message, as with any similar installation on macOS you will need to approve the system extensions in order for the application to run:
    1. macOS BigSur (11) & Monterey (12):
      1. Click on Open Security Preferences at the bottom of the Action Required popup window.
      2. In the Security & Privacy settings window that opens, click the lock at the bottom of the window, enter your local computer password to authorize to make change, then click Allow.
      3. Click Allow in the Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter popup. 
      4. Dismiss the System Extension Enabled Success! popup and any other installation windows.
      5. Move the installer to the Trash when prompted. 
    2. macOS Ventura (13) & Sonoma (14):
      1. Click on Open System Settings at the bottom of the Action Required AnyConnect VPN Service Not Enabled popup window.
      2. Behind the Action Required popup, the Login Items settings will open.
        1. Toggle the button ON to the right of Cisco Secure Client - AnyConnect VPN Service  to enable it.
        2. Enter your local computer password and click Unlock to authorize the change. 
      3. If a second Action Required popup appears,
        1. Click on Allow to unblock Cisco Secure Client - Socket Filter.
        2. Enter your local computer password and click Modify Settings to make the change.
        3. Click Allow in the Cisco AnyConnect Socket Filter popup. 
      4. Dismiss the System Extension Enabled Success! popup and any other installation windows.
      5. Move the installer to the Trash when prompted.
  7. The installation may check for updates; this may take a few minutes and is normal.
  8. Launch Cisco AnyConnect and enter vpn.wellesley.edu as the server and enter your Wellesley credentials when prompted.
  9. Look for the Cisco AnyConnect icon and make sure it shows a locked padlock icon and says it is Connected to vpn.wellesley.edu
  • Apple iPhones & iPads, download the free Cisco AnyConnect app, and enter vpn.wellesley.edu as the server.
     
  • Android devices: download the Cisco AnyConnect app, and enter vpn.wellesley.edu as the server.
  • Chromebooks/ChromeOS
  1. Open the chrome browser, and use this link to download the Cisco AnyConnect app from the Chrome Web Store.  Be sure to select Cisco AnyConnect as the VPN.
    1. Please note that this chrome app will only run on ChromeOS, and that certain functions like vault/ntm access may not work properly on ChromeOS
  2. Click Add to Chrome, then once AnyConnect has finished installing, click Launch App
    1. ​You may need to wait several minutes while the VPN initializes
  3. Once the VPN has initialized, click Add to Chrome
    1. For the name, enter "Wellesley VPN" or "Wellesley Secure VPN", or any other name you wish to use
    2. For the server address, enter vpn.wellesley.edu for the VPN, or vpn.wellesley.edu/secure for the Secure VPN
    3. Click Save Changes, then close or minimize the VPN window
  4. Click the wifi/battery/clock indicator in the bottom right corner
    1. Click VPN, then on the next screen, click "Wellesley VPN", "Wellesley Secure VPN", or whichever name you set for the VPN
    2. When you connect for the first time, you may receive a message that says "AnyConnect cannot verify the identity of Wellesley VPN (user) / Wellesley Secure VPN (user). Would you like to continue anyway?" Click Import and Continue
    3. Enter your MyWellesley username and password
  5. When you have finished using the VPN, click the wifi/battery/clock indicator in the bottom right corner, click VPN, then click Disconnect to the right of Wellesley VPN/Wellesley Secure VPN

Any time you are off campus and need your device to be on our network, launch Cisco AnyConnect. It should remember the vpn.wellesley.edu server information and prompt you for your Wellesley credentials. 

After completing any work that requires the VPN, it's best to disconnect or quit AnyConnect.

If you are on campus and would like to test your device with the VPN, please visit the Computing Help Desk in the Clapp Library and let them know you need to use the off-campus WiFi network available there.