The purpose of this document is to help you install and set up the VPN application called AnyConnect.  You will also need to have enrolled into Microsoft Multi-Factor Authenticator (MFA). The instructions for that are here. The two applications work together to allow you to connect to the CWF network through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) while at home or traveling. 

Microsoft MFA is a two-factor authentication application. It will be used to verify your credentials while you connect to the CWF VPN network. Again, enroll here.

AnyConnect is the application used to connect to the VPN. It will require you to have enrolled into Microsoft MFA (above) before it will connect you.  AnyConnect should have been already installed on CWF laptops. Use the Windows Start button and search for Cisco AnyConnect to ensure it is already installed.  If it is, you only need to follow the Microsoft MFA enroll instructions, here, then open AnyConnect and connect to secure.cwf.org on its connection screen.

If you find AnyConnect is not installed, please follow these instructions to install it.


Installing AnyConnect


Prerequisites

  • Install and set up the Microsoft MFA app on your mobile device.
  • The AnyConnect VPN application will not work on your Windows PC until you ensure your Anti-Virus, Windows Firewall, and Automatic Updates are turned on.
  • The AnyConnect VPN application will not work on your Mac until you ensure your Anti-Virus software is installed and turned on.

How to Install and Use AnyConnect:

If you have already installed AnyConnect, skip down to step 6.  If you are using a CWF laptop, your laptop should already have AnyConnect installed, thus you can skip to step 6.

  1. Navigate to https://secure.cwf.org.  Internet Explorer does not work well, so we recommend using Firefox or Google Chrome.
  2. Select CWF_VPN from the drop-down group, then click the login button.
  3. Sign in with your email address. Click Next.
  4. You will see this pop up message indicating it is redirecting you to your company's login page.
  5. When you come to the login page, enter your password. This is the same password you access email or log into a CW computer with.
  6. You shall be prompted to authenticate your login with the Microsoft MFA app (again, you should have enrolled into this earlier, see above.)
  7. At this website, click download. Once the AnyConnect software is downloaded, run the installer to get it properly installed to your computer.


Downloading and Running Install File

Depending on the web browser you are using, the steps for downloading and running this installation could look different.

  • Internet Explorer usually shows the downloaded file at the bottom of the browser and asks you if you want to save or run the file. Click Run.
  • Google Chrome usually shows the downloaded file at the bottom of the browser. Click the file to run it.
  • Firefox usually shows the downloaded file at the top right of the browser under a "down arrow" button. Find and run the installation file from there.
  • On a Mac, Safari will send the downloading file to the Downloads area found in your Dock. Find and run the installation file from there.

Take all defaults during the short installation of AnyConnect.  After the AnyConnect client finishes installing, close the AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Download web portal.

Opening and Connecting to the AnyConnect Application

Find and open the Cisco AnyConnect application on your computer.

  • If using a Windows computer, click Start and type Cisco AnyConnect in the search bar.  
  • If using a Mac, the easiest way to find Cisco AnyConnect is with the magnifying glass search at the top right of the screen. 

    This will help you locate Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client.  Click it to open the application.

  

In the “Connection” field, type “secure.cwf.org” and click the Connect button.

  1. Sign in with your email address. Click Next.
  2. You will see this pop up message indicating it is redirecting you to your company's login page.
  3. When you come to the login page, enter your password. This is the same password you access email or log into a CW computer with.
  4. You shall be prompted to authenticate your login with the Microsoft MFA app (again, you should have enrolled into this earlier, see above.)

At this point, the AnyConnect VPN should be connected.

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4 Comments

  1. Andrews, Steven

    In the first section for Installing DUO you have a statement that you do not need "@cwf.org" at the end of your username. This reads to me like it doesn't matter if you include it or not.

    I included it by mistake and it created a second account for me which Paul identified and had to delete. It might save some headache to to insist that the @cwf.org part is left out rather than suggesting that you don't need it.

    1. David Jenner

      Excellent point!!  I am adjusting this.

  2. Palmer, Katherine

    David Jenner  I came to this page to figure out where to reinstall any connect from and realized that this document is outdated as we don't use duo anymore..  Might want to consider updating this document.

  3. David Jenner

    Palmer, Katherine,
    Thanks for pointing out this article needed an update. I have made changes to it to fit the current process.