Tutorial on how to install free FortiClient VPN on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy JellyFish using the command terminal for security.
FortiClient is a security solution designed to reduce your computer’s vulnerability. The manufacturer advertises that the tool comes with virus protection, two-factor authentication, and WAN optimization, among other things.
However, the FortiClient user interface itself only contains the vulnerability scan and a tab in which you can set up a VPN connection for remote access.
The vulnerability scan indicates when, for example, an application is outdated, so there is potential for an attack and an update is urgently needed.
The abbreviation VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network”, a self-contained network that you can access from anywhere with the right access data. For example, do you log into the company network from your home office to use printers, hard drives, and your work e-mail inbox, or do you dial into your home network while on the go and conveniently control your smart home from afar? Universities also allow their students secure access to the university network via VPN.
FortiClientEdition
Zero Trust Security (ZTNA) – This allows remote workers to use ZTNA and VPN encrypted tunnels with URL filtering and USB device control. Central management via FortiClient EMS is included with the cloud editions.
Endpoint Protection (ZTNA and EPP/APT) – Expands functionality with AI-based Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV), endpoint quarantine, and application firewall, as well as support for cloud sandbox.
Cloud-based Endpoint Security (ZTNA Agent, EPP/APT, and FortiSASE SIA): Extends functionality with Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) capabilities of FortiSASE services, including SSL inspection, intrusion prevention (IPS), Web Filtering, Domain Name System (DNS) security, and data loss prevention (DLP). Only available as EMS Cloud edition.
FortiClient VPN Only
The VPN-only version of FortiClient offers SSL VPN and IPSec VPN but does not include any support. Here we are going to install this one…Steps to install FortiClient VPN on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
1. Update Ubuntu 22.04
Well, if you have recently updated your system then you can skip this step. However, we recommend running the update command once before going further in the article:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade2. Download the FortiClient VPN Deb package
FortiClient VPN is a proprietary application, hence not available to install through the default system repository. Therefore, visit the official website of FortiClient and from the download page get the Debian binary available to install its VPN application on Ubuntu systems. For your help here is the link.
On the page click on the “Download .deb” button.
3. Install FortiClient VPN on Ubuntu 22.04
Well, after finishing the previous step, the Debian binary of FortiClient will be on your system in the Downloads directory. It is because what we download using the browser by default goes into that.
That’s why on your command terminal switch to the Downloads directory:
cd DownloadsList the file
lsYou will see the downloaded FortiClient Setup, now, install it using the APT command:
sudo apt install ./forticlient_vpn_*_amd64.deb
4. Start the VPN App
Once you are done with the installation, go to the Application launcher and there search for “FortiClient” as its icon appears click to run it.
Check the box to accept conditions for using the software. After that hit the button “I Accept“.
Fill in the details for the VPN connection and save to start accessing your network safely.
5. How to update
In the future, if you want to install the latest available version of the software, then simply download it from the official website for FortiClient and install it again as we have done here in the article.
6. Uninstall or Remove FortiClient from Ubuntu 22.04
Well, maybe after some time you won’t require this VPN client application anymore on your system. If that is the case then uninstall FortiClient from your Ubuntu 22.04 system using the command given below:
sudo apt autoremove --purge forticlient
FAQ
Yes, FortiClient VPN only is a free version whereas the other editions of this program are paid.
Yes, For FortiGate administrators, a free version of FortiClient VPN is available which supports basic IPsec and SSL VPN and does not require registration with EMS.
Visit the official website of the FortiClient and click on Windows logo to download VPN Client on your system. Here is the Link.
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I followed your instructions and there is no option to configure IPSec! Just like in your screenshot, there’s only an option for “SSL-VPN”. The Windows version shows a tab for “IPSec” and it works. How do i configure IPSec-VPN in Ubuntu 22.04?
I don’t have gui. It’s ubuntu server. Is it possible from only cli?
This manual does currently not work any more with the latest FortiClient VPN 7.0.7 available on their website.