Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

NYU VPN

about about about

search the site

did you know?

  • ITS recommends that you run VPN whenever you connect from a remote location to NYU services that involve sensitive data.
  • Using VPN at NYU Global Sites involves completing a few additional steps, outlined in VPN at NYU Global Sites below.

related pages

Download VPN software (NetID and password required):

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that provides password-protected access to NYU's network (NYU-NET) and Internet services when you are connecting from off-campus that is as secure as it is when you are connected directly to NYU-NET on campus. VPN is required to access some secure NYU services when using a computer outside NYU-NET.

Eligibility

Only current, full-time staff, faculty, and degree students are able to use the VPN service. An active NYU NetID and password are required to both download and use VPN software.

Non-degree students and alumni will not be able to authenticate using VPN.

NYU Services That Require VPN

ITS recommends that you run VPN whenever you connect from a remote location to NYU services that involve sensitive data, but the services below require the use of VPN to successfully connect to them from outside of NYU-NET. Please note: this is a partial list; other NYU services may require a VPN connection.

  • NYU myTime
  • PeopleSoft SIS -- Admin
  • Webspace
  • Remedy Service Management (web client)
  • FTP to most NYU web servers
  • Ask ITS knowledgebase administration

Download & Install

In order to install VPN, follow the download and installation instructions for your computer below. Each time you need to use VPN in the future, you will need to follow the Connecting with VPN instructions.

Click on any of the bars below to view instructions for that operating system. You can click the bar a second time to collapse the instructions.

Windows 7, Vista, & XP (click to expand section)

The following instructions are for people connecting to NYU-NET via VPN in the United States. For instructions on configuring VPN for one of NYU's global sites, please see VPN at NYU Global Sites.

  1. Download the VPN software. (NetID and password required)
  2. Once downloaded, the VPN software may automatically unzip itself on your computer; if not, double-click the installer to begin.
  3. An Installshield Wizard window will open. Click Next > to begin.
  4. Accept the default destination folder by clicking Next >.
  5. In the Software License Agreement window that opens, click Continue.
  6. Accept the "Program Folder" or "Destination Filder" assignment by clicking Next >.
  7. Click Next again to begin the installation process. Upon completion, click Finish in the window that opens to restart your computer (click Yes or Restart Now if you are asked if you want to restart your computer".
  8. After your computer restarts, open the Start menu and select All Programs > Cisco Systems VPN Client > VPN Client to launch the program.
  9. A listing for NYUVPN should appear automatically. To begin using VPN, see Connecting with VPN below.
Mac OS X 10.5 and earlier (click to expand section)

The following instructions are for people connecting to NYU-NET via VPN in the United States. For instructions on configuring VPN for one of NYU's global sites, please see VPN at NYU Global Sites.

  1. Download the VPN software (NetID and password required)
  2. Once downloaded, double-click the VPN software installer on your computer's desktop or in the Downloads folder to mount it, then double-click the "CiscoVPNClient" image that appears on the desktop.
  3. In the window that opens, double-click Cisco VPN Client.mpkg. In the Welcome to the Cisco VPN Client Installer window that opens, click Continue.
  4. In the Software License Agreement window that opens, click Continue.
  5. Agree to the terms of the license by clicking Agree in the window that pops up.
  6. Select the volume on your computer where you'd like to install the software (usually your hard drive) and click Continue.
  7. In the Installation Type window that appears, accept the basic installation by clicking on Install if this is your first installation of the VPN software OR Upgrade if you are upgrading your VPN software from an earlier version. (Note that the Install button appears in place of the Upgrade button if applicable).
  8. In the Authentication window that opens, enter your Macintosh administrator name and password, then click OK. The installation will now proceed. When finished, a message reading "The software was successfully installed" will appear. Click Close.
  9. Once you have installed the software, launch the VPN by locating VPNClient in your Applications folder. We suggest you place a shortcut/alias to the VPN software on your desktop or in your dock.
  10. A listing for NYUVPN should appear automatically. To begin using VPN, see Connecting with VPN below.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion - 10.6 Snow Leopard (click to expand section)

VPN software is built into Apple's Lion and Snow Leopard operating systems and downloading a VPN installer is therefore not necessary. ITS offers a script (downloadable via the link below) that will automatically configure Lion or Snow Leopard's VPN to connect to NYU-NET.

NOTE: The following instructions are for people connecting to NYU-NET via VPN in the United States. For instructions on configuring VPN for one of NYU's global sites, please see VPN at NYU Global Sites.

  1. Download the VPN configuration script VPN (IPSec).networkConnect.zip, and then double-click the file to unzip it. Once it is unzipped, double click the script file VPN (IPSec).networkConnect. VPN will open automatically, pre-configured with most of the required information. (If you are at a global site, you will need to change the server setting; see below.)
  2. Enter this additional configuration info:
    • Account Name: Your NYU NetID
    • Password: You will not need to enter your password until you attempt to connect to the VPN
  3. Click the Apply tab.
  4. Close the Network window. To begin using VPN, see Connecting with VPN below.
iPhone (click to expand section)

VPN software is built into the iPhone, and downloading a VPN installer in not necessary.

The following configuration instructions are for people connecting to NYU-NET via VPN in the United States. If you are attempting to connect from one of NYU's global sites, please follow the instructions in VPN at NYU Global Sites instead.

  1. Tap the Settings icon, then tap General, then Network.
  2. Tap the VPN bar.
  3. Tap Add VPN Configuration.
  4. Chose the IPSec tab and enter the following information:
    • Description: NYUVPN.
    • Server: vpn.nyu.edu
    • Account: your NYU NetID
    • Password: your NYUHome password
    • Use Certificate: leave this turned off (this should be its default state)
    • Group Name: nyu-vpn
    • Secret: nyu-net
  5. When you have entered the above information, tap Save.
  6. To begin using VPN, see Connecting with VPN below.

Connecting with VPN

Once you have downloaded and installed the NYU VPN software, you will need to launch it every time you want to connect to a VPN-protected NYU service. VPN connections automatically expire after 30 minutes of inactivity, or 12 hours after the connection was initiated, whichever occurs first. This is controlled on the server-side, and cannot be extended by making changes to the VPN software's configuration.

Windows 7, Vista, XP & Mac OS X 10.5 and below (click to expand section)

To launch VPN and open a secure session:

  1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
  2. Open the VPN software. Make sure NYUVPN is selected in the Connection Entry list, then click Connect on the main VPN window to initiate your VPN connection.
  3. A User Authentication window will appear. Enter your NetID in the Username field, and the password you use with NYUHome in the Password field. Click OK.
  4. Once you are connected, the VPN window will display a text message, informing you that you have connected to the VPN Service. At times, the text message may also contain service-related information or announcements.
  5. Click Continue to close the window and remain connected to the VPN service, or click Disconnect to end the connection. You can also disconnect from the VPN service at any time by re-opening the VPN software and clicking Disconnect.
Mac OS X 10.7 Lion - 10.6 Snow Leopard (click to expand section)

To use Lion or Snow Leopard's built-in VPN software to open a secure connection to an NYU service:

  1. Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
  2. Start the VPN software, either by clicking the shortcut icon at the top right of your screen (see screenshot) or by opening the Apple menu at the top left and selecting System Preferences, then Network, then VPN (Cisco IPSec) in the left pane, and Connect in the right pane.
  3. In the Authentication window that opens, enter your NetID in the Username field, and the password you use with NYUHome in the Password field. Click OK.
  4. Once you are connected, the VPN window will display a text message, informing you that you have connected to the VPN Service. At times, the text message may also contain service-related information or announcements.
  5. You can disconnect from the VPN service at any time by re-opening the VPN software (as described in #2 above) and clicking Disconnect.
iPhone (click to expand section)

To use the iPhone's built-in VPN software to open a secure connection to an NYU service:

  1. Tap the Settings icon, then tap General, then Network.
  2. Tap the VPN bar, then select NYUVPN.
  3. Tap the On/Off button to turn on your VPN connection. It will take a few seconds to turn on.
  4. You will be prompted with a message saying, "VPN Connection Enter your user authentication." Tap the Password bar, type in your NYUHome password, then tap the OK button.
  5. You will see a Welcome/VPN Connection message; choose OK to continue, or Disconnect to turn off the VPN. When connected, the Status bar should read "Connected: [amount of time connected.]"
  6. To turn off your VPN connection:
    1. Tap the Settings icon, then tap General, then Network.
    2. Tap the VPN bar, then select NYUVPN.
    3. Tap the On/Off button to turn on your VPN connection.

Manually Configuring NYU VPN

NYU's most recent version of the Cisco VPN software is pre-configured for use with the NYU network within the United States. If, for any reason, you need to manually create an entry in VPN software for NYU's network, you can use the following information. If you are attempting to connect from one of NYU's global sites, please follow the instructions in VPN at NYU Global Sites instead.

  1. Open the VPN software.
  2. Click New
  3. Enter the following information:
    • Connection Entry: NYUVPN
    • Host: vpn.nyu.edu
    • Name: nyu-vpn
    • Password: nyu-net
    • Confirm Password: nyu-net
  4. When complete, click Save. You should now see NYUVPN in the VPN software's Connection Entry list.

VPN at NYU Global Sites

NYU maintains VPN services at some of its global sites. If you are located in a country where this service is available, you can create a unique VPN connection entry for that location, which should provide enhanced performance. The NYC-based service described above is available to users anywhere in the world, and it should be used in any case where there is not an appropriate local service listed below.

  1. If you have not already done so, download and install the VPN software for your operating system, using the instructions located above. (Note that Apple's Lion, Snow Leopard and iPhone operating systems already have built-in VPN software, so you not need to download VPN software. Instead, follow the detailed instructions above, but note that you will need to enter your specific global site information in the host or server field as described below.)
  2. Open the VPN software. NYU's VPN software is pre-configured to connect to NYU-NET from the United States. You will need to create a new entry for the global site from which you will be connecting.
  3. In the VPN client window that opens, click New.
  4. In the window that opens, enter the following information:
    • Connection Entry: Give the entry a name that reflects the location, such as NYUVPN-AD
    • Host/Server: Enter the address for your global site:
      • Abu Dhabi: vpn.nyu.ae
      • Berlin: vpn.berlin.nyu.edu
      • Florence: vpn.nyu.florence.it
      • London: vpn.london.ac.uk
    • Make sure the Group Authentication option is selected.
    • Name: nyu-vpn
    • Password: nyu-net (will appear as asterisks)
    • Confirm Password: nyu-net
      Note: All username and password information is case sensitive — do not use capital letters.
  5. Click on the Transport tab and configure the fields as follows:
    • Check the box next to Enable Transport Tunneling.
    • Select the radio button next to IPSec Over TCP and make sure TCP Port is set to 1000.
    • Check the box next to Allow Local LAN Access.
  6. Once you have entered all of this information, click Save. The main VPN window will now include the new profile you just created.
  7. To begin using VPN, see Connecting with VPN above.

Page last reviewed: April 27, 2012