FortiClient VPN weirdness (MAC OS)

dink · 11 Dec 2023 at 16:10

When I connect to Forticlient VPN to access our work network google chrome no longer connects, other locally installed Apps work and connect successfully to an internet connection (like slack, Safari etc).

Any pointers as this is driving me loopy. Mac OS Sonoma 14.1.2 on an M3 Pro. Tested internet via thunderbolt and wireless - same issue. Also tested with Firefox and Edge - same connection (or lack of) issue.

Thanks.

visibleman · 11 Dec 2023 at 19:59

Safari works but third-party browsers don't is a little odd - possibly DNS (see if you can specify your own on the tunnel) or browser DoH (can be disabled in Chrome/Firefox iirc; i don't believe Safari supports it).
I would be getting your IT department to look at it though as it maybe something org-wide.

dink · 11 Dec 2023 at 20:39

Well group IT don't technically support Macs although they don't restrict the use of them, so they will be no help. Ive tried toggling Secure DNS to no avail. My work Windows 11 laptop works fine with the same VPN client. My mate is a IT director for a large company who support Macs and Windows and he was baffled as well (he did suggest the secure DNS and updating DNS to 8.8.8.8 but neither worked). Thanks though.

Deleted member 77746 · 11 Dec 2023 at 20:51

It will be down to VPN routing. You need to do some network tests like ping / tracert / traceroute etc.

Does it work in another browser just not chrome?

dink · 11 Dec 2023 at 20:57

I tried Chrome, Edge and Firefox, none connect when connected to VPN, only Safari works. Also slack and other apps work fine, just appears to affect any browser other than safari.

dink · 11 Dec 2023 at 21:15

Managed to resolve it by disabling Sophos Home, think it was Sophos Network Content Filter Under VPN & Filters causing it. Although now need to work out why and get around it.

Deleted member 77746 · 11 Dec 2023 at 23:48

dink said:
Managed to resolve it by disabling Sophos Home, think it was Sophos Network Content Filter Under VPN & Filters causing it. Although now need to work out why and get around it.

Oh in that case did work install this or was it you?

dink · 12 Dec 2023 at 09:16

GaryTheSnail said:
Oh in that case did work install this or was it you?

Yeah I installed it, not work. My MacBook is my personal laptop, have a windows device provided by work but just prefer Mac OS, hence no IT support

Edit, it was Sophos Malicious Traffic Detection causing google chrome connection issues when VPN enabled - ironic really!

Deleted member 77746 · 12 Dec 2023 at 11:58

dink said:
Yeah I installed it, not work. My MacBook is my personal laptop, have a windows device provided by work but just prefer Mac OS, hence no IT support

Edit, it was Sophos Malicious Traffic Detection causing google chrome connection issues when VPN enabled - ironic really!

Leave it off, you don't need it. It's a mac.

visibleman · 12 Dec 2023 at 12:42

dink said:
Managed to resolve it by disabling Sophos Home, think it was Sophos Network Content Filter Under VPN & Filters causing it.

If it's primarily for 'viruses' then personally i would remove Sophos and replace with something like Malwarebytes (free) and periodically do manual scans - malware and ransomware are the biggest issue with MacOS.

GaryTheSnail said:
It's a mac.

Gatekeeper has been bypassed in the past (https://cedowens.medium.com/macos-gatekeeper-bypass-2021-edition-5256a2955508) and Patrick Wardle has a good blog on recent MacOS malware/ransomware variants and his investigations (https://objective-see.org/blog.html).
Each to their own though if a user deploys something...

Deleted member 77746 · 12 Dec 2023 at 13:15

visibleman said:
Each to their own though if a user deploys something...

Yeh sure thing.

dink · 12 Dec 2023 at 13:27

Ive just sacked it off, only using it as I'm payed up till 2025 lol

Thanks.