Northern Illinois University

Information Technology Services


Date Last Reviewed:08/09/2011

Uninstall the old NIU VPN on Mac OS

Uninstalling the old NIU VPN client requires a command-line utility that removes library files.

  1. Start Terminal.app, found in the Utilities folder under Applications.

    Finder window showing Applications folder, Utilities subfolder and Terminal.app

  2. Run the vpn_uninstall utility

    Finder window showing Applications folder, Utilities subfolder and Terminal.app

    Type the following at the '$' prompt: sudo /usr/local/bin/vpn_uninstall

    You may be prompted for a password. Enter an Administrator password. If this is your personal machine, enter your account password. If you do not have the appropriate access, contact your LAN Administrator (for faculty and staff computers) or someone with an Administrator account on the computer.

    Note: When Mac OS X is first installed, the first account created on the system will be an Administrator account.


    3. Terminal.app prompting for Administrator login

  3. After entering the Administrator password, the vpn_uninstall utility will start. The first prompt asks you to confirm that you wish to remove the client. Type yes.


    4. Terminal.app showing 'yes' response to first prompt

  4. The second prompt asks if you wish to remove all existing profiles and certificates. Type yes.
    Note: Although it is possible to answer no at this point, it is not recommended. The recommended procedure is to remove everything, and then reinstall if necessary.


    5. Terminal.app showing 'yes' response to second prompt
  5. The utility will remove the VPN client from the system. The utility prints a number of status messages that report its progress.
    After the utility is finished, close the Terminal.app window by clicking the red button in the upper left-hand corner of the window.