Do Military Cac Card Reader For Mac

CAC for a Mac is the ability to use a Department of Defense (DoD) common access card (CAC) on Apple Macintosh computers to access Web sites that require DoD certificate authentication.

  • DOD Military CAC USB Smart Card Reader for CAC Cards, Government ID. Zoweetek DOD Military USB Common Access CAC Smart Card Reader, Compatible with Windows, Mac OS 10.6-10.10 and Linux by Zoweetek.
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Learn How To Install Your Home CAC Reader In Minutes!

Find out which CAC reader is best for you with our list of recommended CAC readers!

Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to successfully install a CAC reader on your PC!

Make installing a CAC reader on your Mac a breeze with these simple instructions!

Your government issued CAC (or Common Access Card) is pretty invaluable when it comes to being your physical and electronic ID for DoD and other government purposes. However, that doesn't always mean it's convenient. Especially if you are required to access it at home.

And while there are many different actual readers available for you to purchase, they can be difficult and complicated to both properly install and use.

That's why we started HomeCACUse.com! We believe every DoD and government-issued employee should be able to easily access their information when they need it. So we're compiling a master resource for those who are looking for all things related to Home CAC Use--from the best card readers to how to install on Mac and PC.

  1. Ensure your CAC reader works with Mac
  2. Check to ensure your Mac accepts the reader
  3. Check your Mac OS version
  4. Check your CAC’s version
  5. Update your DOD certificates
  6. Guidance for Firefox Users
  7. Look at graphs to see which CAC enabler to use

Step 1: Purchase a Mac Friendly CAC Reader

Purchase a CAC reader that works for your Mac. There are only a couple that you can choose from and I’ve listed them below.

If you already have a CAC reader and it isn’t Mac friendly, you could update the firmware, however, for the non-tech savvy people out there, it’s probably better to just purchase a new one and save the headache – they’re only ~$11-13 dollars.

Best Mac Compatible CAC USB Readers

Best Mac Compatible CAC Desk Readers

Step 2: Plug in and Ensure It’s Accepted

Once you have your CAC reader, plug it into your Mac and ensure your computer recognizes it. If you have one of the CAC readers we suggested above, then you should be good to go.

If you are testing a different version, then verify that your Mac accepts your CAC reader by following these steps.

If for some reason your CAC reader isn’t working, then try the following steps.

Step 3: Update Your DOD Certificates

Now that you have your CAC reader connected and accepted on your Mac computer, it’s time to ensure you have the right certificates in order to access DOD CAC required web pages.

If you are using Chrome or Safari, then follow step 3a below. If you are using Firefox, you’ll need to do some extra steps:

  1. Type ⇧⌘U (Shift + Command + U) to access your Utilities
  2. Find and Double click “Keychain Access”
  3. Select “Login” and “All Items”
  4. Download the following four files and double click each once downloaded so as to install in your Keychain Access.
  5. When you double-click the Mac Root Cert 3 and 4, you’ll need to tell your browser to always trust them. Click the button like you see below:

Additional Steps for Firefox

Do Military Cac Card Reader For Mac
  1. Download All Certs zip and double click to unzip all 39 files
  2. While in Firefox, click “Firefox” on the top left, then “Preferences”
  3. Then Click “Advanced” > “Certificates” > “View Certificates”
  4. Then Click “Authorities” and then “Import”
  5. Import each file individually from the “AllCerts” folder. When you do this, the below box will popup. Check all three boxes and click “OK”

Step 4: Download and install CAC Enabler

  1. Download zip
  2. Double click the .zip file
  3. Because this is from an unidentified developer, you’ll need to hold down “Control” and click the program. Now select open and continue with install procedure.
  4. After installing, restart your computer

CAC Access at Home Success

Now that you have a CAC reader, certificates, and a CAC Enabler, you should now be able to access any CAC-enabled website and log on using your CAC password and data.

Common Reasons Why Your CAC Card Won’t Work On Your Mac

Ensure Your CAC Card Meets the Standards: In order for your CAC card to work, it must meet the minimal requirements. Currently, there are only four types of CAC cards that can be used. The ensure you have the right CAC card for online access, flip your CAC card to the back and if you have one of the below numbers written on the top left, then you are good to go:

Military Cac Card Reader Download

Do Military Cac Card Reader For Mac
  • G&D FIPS 201 SCE 3.2
  • Oberthur ID one 128 v5.5 Dual
  • GEMALTO DLGX4-A 144
  • GEMALTO TOP DL GX4 144
Card

Military Cac Card Reader For Mac

If you do not have any of the above written on the back, then proceed to your nearest PSD to get a new CAC card issued.