WiscVPN GlobalProtect (macOS) - Installing, Connecting, and Uninstalling

This document contains instructions for installing, connecting, disconnecting, and uninstalling the GlobalProtect VPN client on MacOS.

   

Installing the GlobalProtect VPN Client

Download the Client

Note: Our client is not compatible with OS X 10.15 or earlier. 

Installing on Your Computer

  1. Open the downloaded file. Click Continue.

    Installing GlobalProtect: Welcome to the GlobalProtect Installer. You will be guided through the steps necessary to install this software. "Continue" button is highlighted in red

  2. On the Destination Select screen, select the installation folder for the GlobalProtect app. Click Continue.

    Select a Destination: Select the disk where you want to install the GlobalProtect Softare with "Macintosh HD" selected by default. Installing this software takes 30 Megabytes of space.

  3. On the Installation Type screen, make sure GlobalProtect is selected under "Package Name". Click Continue.

    Custom Install on "Macintosh HD": List of package names, GlobalProtect checked with action being Upgrade, Uninstall GlobalProtect unchecked, GlobalProtect System extensions unchecked.

  4. Click Install.

  5. If you are prompted for your password, type it in. Then select Install software.

    Modal dialog Installer is trying to install new software: with a User Name and Password form and a "Install Software" button which is selected and highlighted.

System Extension Blocked

Some users will be prompted with a message saying "System Extension Blocked."

  1. Select Open Security Preferences

    System Extension Blocked modal dialog: A program tried to load new system extension(s) signed by "Palo Alto Networks". If you want to enable these extensions open Security & Privacy System Preferences. The button "Open Security Preferences" is highlighted in red. 

  2. Select Allow in the following window.

    Security & Privacy settings panel: General tab with option System software from developer "Palo Alto Networks" was blocked from loading highlighted along with the "Allow" button.

Allow GlobalProtect to Filter Network Content

Click Allow if you get a pop-up that says "'GlobalProtect' Would Like to Filter Network Content - All network activity on this Mac may be filtered or monitored."

Permissions dialog "GlobalProtect" would like to Filter Network Content. All network activity on this Mac may be filtered and monitored. The "Allow" button is highted in yellow.

This optimizes performance and allows the VPN to control the network traffic correctly.

Connecting and Disconnecting from the VPN

Connecting to WiscVPN

  1. Open the Palo Alto GlobalProtect client with the globe icon at the top of your screen. If it does not automatically appear at the top of your screen, access the client through your Finder's Applications folder.

    Connect on Mac

  2. Type in the WiscVPN portal address: uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu

    MacOS GlobalProtect window with Portal address prompt

  3. Sign in using your UW Madison NetID and NetID password.

  4. After successful NetID login, you will be prompted with the Duo prompt shown below. If you press "1" and click Verify, your Duo device will be sent a push which you will need to accept. You can also enter the code you see in your Duo app or hardware token.

    Login prompt with MFA Duo

  5. If all the previous steps are completed correctly, the VPN should be connected.

    Successful connection

Disconnect from WiscVPN

  1. Open the Palo Alto GlobalProtect client with the globe icon at the top of your screen.

  2. Click the Disconnect button to be logged out and disconnected.

     Disconnect GlobalProtect

    • You will automatically connect to your usual WiFi network.

Uninstalling the GlobalProtect VPN Client

In order to uninstall GlobalProtect, you must use the Install tool to download the uninstaller. 

  1. Run the GlobalProtect installer file from when you downloaded the application. If you are unable to locate it, download it here:

  2. On the Introduction page, select Continue.

  3. On the Destination Select page, click Continue.

  4. On the Installation Type page, uncheck

    GlobalProtect and check Uninstall GlobalProtect. Click Continue.

    Install GlobalProtect dialog: Custom Install on "Macintosh HD" listing package names GlobalProtect unchecked, Uninstall GlobalProtect checked with action "Install", GlobalProtect System extensions unchecked.

  1. Click Install to run the Uninstall tool.

  2. If prompted, enter your User Name and Password, and then click Install Software to uninstall GlobalProtect.

To completely remove GlobalProtect from your system, please follow the uninstallation steps above, then delete the following folders from your computer using the following pathways:

  1. Finder > Library > Application Support > PaloAltoNetworks

  2. Finder > Applications > GlobalProtect

  3. Finder > Users > {UserName} > Library > Application Support > PaloAltoNetworks /Library/Preferences/com.paloaltonetworks.GlobalProtect.settings.plist

If you experience any issues installing GlobalProtect or connecting to WiscVPN, please see WiscVPN GlobalProtect (macOS) - Troubleshooting

See Also


Keywords:
WiscVPN mac palo alto globalprotect ip client vpn 
Doc ID:
148527
Owned by:
ELIZABETH C. in Network Services
Created:
2025-02-21
Updated:
2026-04-22
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Network Services