How to Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The City of Evanston (CoE) uses Cisco AnyConnect Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect staff to internal network resources. When you connect your laptop to the City of Evanston Virtual Private Network, your device will act as if it is at a City building. This means you'll be able to securely access internal resources even when you are working remotely. The CoE VPN is a split-tunnel VPN. That means that your connection is only encrypted when you're using campus resources.

VPN connections are encrypted, which makes them more secure than connecting from public Wi-Fi or even from your home network.  The VPN takes your computer's request and sends it to a website or system. The requested data is then forwarded back to you through that same secure connection.

Install / Update:

1. Install: There is no need to install the CoE VPN. The laptop should be installed. If you are missing a Cisco VPN, please email [e-mail].
2. Update: There is no need to update this application manually. New versions of this app will be pushed to your laptop.

Connect to VPN:

1. Connect to the internet.
2. Open Cisco Secure Client.

     3. Enter connect.cityofevanston.org and click Connect.

     4. Enter your computer/email login information.

     5. Authenticate with 2FA (DUO).

     6.  Click OK.

Disconnect VPN:

1. To end your VPN session, open the Cisco Secure Client.

     2. Click Disconnect.

Troubleshoot Cisco Secure Client:

1. If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to VPN, verify the following:
2. You are connected to the Internet.
3. You entered connect.cityofevanston.org as your VPN.
4. You are logging in with your computer/email login information.