What the VPN icon (between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) represents? Why isn’t there just written “VPN” as in iOS?
I was a software engineer at Apple from 2000-2004, we all had these little RSA key fobs to vpn in if we were working remotely. The icon was made to represent the key fob that’s the same shape, and had the same horizontal/vertical lines. On the key fob it represented how much time you had before the key code changed.
http://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/gallery/files/2/0/0/7/9/keyfob.jpg
VPN used to require a little dongle or key that would generate a synchronized key number. You would enter this key to securely connect. I believe that’s what this icon is supposed to represent.
Do a google image search for VPN key fob to see what they look like.
The icon is supposed to represent a 2fa number generator fob
A jar with square pickles.
As others have said, this is a graphical representation of an RSA SecurID token for generating multi-factor authentication token codes. See here
Follow up question - how do you remove this icon from the menu bar?
I tried to remove it weeks ago and couldn’t figure it out.
Maybe with all this attention on VPNs Apple will finally update it to something more easily identifiable.
And even more importantly, support SSL VPN natively.
Great question! Just an educated guess, but it might be a tunnel, as the hole on the left looks like an opening.
Related: is there any reason if you use Nord, PIA, Firefox, etc VPN providers to not use their client over just configuring? The clients often give you a lot more options.
It fills up when connected correct? If so it’s basically a visual representation of VPN connection.
perhaps an old-school modem?
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21cB5ua9RcL._AC_UL320_ML3_.jpg
Perhaps a badge of some sort?
Hmm… yeah, this is a really weird icon.
This icon actually changes pending on the you’re using for VPN; like ExpressVPN or Tunnelblick
Are there any other areas you can shed light on in MacOS like that?
You’ve triggered my PTSD.
That was dumb. It would be like making the wireless icon an Airport Base Station.
You mean a yubikey? That’s just an old school method of two factor, not necessarily vpn
This is obviously the wrong answer, but it’s also the best answer.
Hi you have to go to Settings>Network>VPN and you have a case at the bottom of the window