Juniper VPN on Windows without installing the invasive McAfee VirusScan and Firewall
or
“How I learned to stop worrying and love the VPN again”

(In reality this should work with any OS that will run Firefox and Java)

Rational: Some large companies require a very invasive virus scanner with cranked up policies. (Ever try to compile code while your virus scanner is in the middle slowing things down? Painful!) These steps will let you login to the VPN without having to jump through the hoops of install the full McAfee suite

- Install Firefox and the Firefox Java plugin (http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_xpi.jsp?locale=en&host=www.java.com:80)
- Install the user agent switcher addon (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/59)
- Download a list of useragent strings at http://techpatterns.com/downloads/firefox/useragentswitcher.xml
- In the UserAgentSwitch options under “User Agents” on the (left hand side), “Import” and then browse to the useragent strings xml file you just downloaded.
- Now back in FF go to Tools -> User Agent Switcher and select “Safari 125.8 (MacOS)” [I believe other non-windows user agent strings will also work but I haven’t tested all of them]
- Browse to your vpn login page
- Enter your username and password as usual and change the Realm to Mac / Linux and hit “Sign In”.
- Click on the “Client Apps” icon at the top right of the page
- Click on the “Start” button for Java Secure Application Manager (It’ll give you an error popup window - just close it)
- Now Click on the “Start” button for Network Connect and it should open up the VPN client.
- You are now on the VPN network.

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If you were wondering, iMemories does rock. The place is really going places and I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in the next few months. I’m making a few adjustments. My main computer is a brand-new, nice, shiny 15″ MacBook Pro. The switch to Mac will take a little adjustment and getting used to, but not much. So far I’m loving it.

Technorati Tags: feel good, iMemories, Mac