The Common Access Card, also commonly referred to as the CAC or CAC card, is a smart card about the size of a credit card. It is the standard identification for Active Duty United States Defense personnel, to include the Selected Reserve and National Guard, United States Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees, United States Coast Guard. 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. USB Smart Card Reader, Rocketek DOD Military USB CAC Memory Card Reader Compatible with Windows, Linux/Unix, MacOS X - Build in SDHC/SDXC/SD Card Reader and Micro SD Card Reader by Rocketek $11.99 $ 11 99 Prime.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Obtain a CAC Reader
Step 2:CAC Reader driver / Video
Step 3:DoD Certificates / Video
Step 4:ActivClient / Video
Step 4a:Update ActivClient
Step 5:IE adjustments/Video
Log into AKO with your CAC now
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Proceed ONLY if you need to sign forms
Step 6:IBM Forms Viewer (formerly Lotus Forms) / Video
Step 7:eSign / ApproveIt / Video
Military smart card reader best buy (123 items found). Mac OS X 10.4+, Linux Redhat 9, Ubuntu 8.04 and Fedora Core 9+. CAC cards and credit cards. Compatible with Windows and Mac, Windows XP, Vista and 7, Mac OS x v10.3.9 or later, plug and play Includes: Card reader/writer, quick start guide and warranty card Interface: USB 2.0. Users should plug the CAC reader into their computers before starting, most of the time the 'New Hardward Wizard' will install the latest drivers. If users are still experiencing issues they should verify drivers are loaded by going to 'Devices and Printers' on the menu.
Page Quick Links:
Firmware Update for SCR-331
Verify SmartCard Service started
Start Smart Card Service PDFs
Updating a CAC Driver
Plug in your CAC reader NOW
NOTE: Please check and make sure your CAC reader installed BEFORE you attempt to follow the driver installation instructions below. Most of the time, the New hardware wizard will install the CAC reader automatically, negating the need for you to install the driver manually.

To Verify whether your driver did or did not install, follow these instructions:

Plug your CAC reader into your computer before proceeding

Vista, 7, & 8: Right click Computer, select Properties, Device Manager link (upper left corner of the screen), scroll down to Smart card readers, select the little triangle next to it to open it up. If your smart card reader is listed, go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates. NOTE: If you can't don't see it, click Start, In the Start Search line type in: devmgmt.msc. (For Windows 8.1 users, you'll right click Start.

XP: Right click My Computer, select Properties, Hardware tab, Device Manager button, scroll down to Smart card readers, select the + next to it to open it up. If your smart card reader is already listed, you can go to the next step of installing the DoD certificates.

If it did not install correctly... Try this first: Go to Device Manager (Instructions are above), scroll down to Smart Card readers, right click the CAC reader that shows up below Smart Card Readers. It could also be under unknown devices. Select Uninstall. It will give you a message. Once it is uninstalled, unplug the reader from your computer. Wait a few moments, then plug it back in. It 'should start to install itself. If that doesn't work, keep reading for other ideas below.

IF you do not see Smart card readers when checking, THEN follow along with the steps below.

To install a driver onto your computer for a CAC reader, you need to first download the correct driver for the hardware you purchased, I have drivers for the most common USB Readers, Keyboard, laptop, & desktop card readers

PROCEED TO STEP 3 ONCE YOU'VE COMPLETED YOUR VERIFICATION OR INSTALLATION

Unzipping - the driver

Windows 7, Vista, or XP- Save the zip file to a location of your choosing. Once you have the zip file downloaded, open the zip file (Windows built in zipping program). Copy the folder inside to a new folder. It will unzip the contents, (This is the folder you will need when you are doing the steps below). You can also use the Extract All Files button (on the left under Folder Tasks, under File, Extract All). It will then ask where you want to save the file too. I recommend just putting a backslash ( ) at the end of the location already on the screen.

WinZip- Use the Extract button. It will ask you where you want to save the extracted files to, I recommend your desktop. Click the desktop icon on the left. Push the little yellow folder in the upper right corner of this active window. It will prompt you for a name for the folder (type in CAC Driver). Hit OK, then select Extract (lower right corner of this window). You should now see your new folder on your desktop to open up. Keep this for a later step.

Updating the Driver - Example is for an SCR-331

Windows 7, 8, & Vista - Right Click Computer, Select Properties

Click the Device Manager link (on the left side of your screen)

Select the triangle next to Smart Card Readers

Right click the SCRx31 USB Reader, select Update Driver software

Browse my computer... Select Browse, then desktop (or wherever you made the folder)

NOTE: One person had to select 'Search automatically for updated driver software' (This is very rare)

Select the folder (if using the firmware update driver below, stop at the driver folder, do not 'dig' down to AND or Intel folders) and then OK. Next

Your driver will be installed.

Windows XP - Right Click on My Computer, Select Properties,

Go to the Hardware tab, Select Device Manager,

Select the + next to Smart card readers.

Right click on SCR33x USB Smart Card Reader.

Select Update Driver, then No, not at this time, Next,

Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), Next, Unselect Search removable...,

Select Include this location in the search:, now hit Browse, find the folder we made a few moments ago.

All you have to do is select the folder and hit OK, Next, It should do the rest on its own. Select Finish when complete.

Updating the Driver - for IOGear GSR-202 reader

Plug your IOGEAR CAC reader into an available USB port
Allow Windows to load the generic driver
Go to the IOGear website and download the driver for GSR 202 CAC Reader to your desktop
Create a folder on the desktop to extract the driver's zipped files
Unzip the file to the folder you've created
Go to Device Manager
Select the CAC reader
Right click the driver
Select properties
Select update driver
Select Browse
Select the IOGear driver from the desktop folder. This is the unzipped IOGEAR folder
The driver gives you two choices: 32 bit and 64 bit. (this must match your version of Windows)
Install the driver
Insert your CAC into the CAC reader
The yellow light on the CAC reader should blink rather than remain a solid yellow
If the yellow light blinks on the CAC reader, then the computer has added the smart card as a device and the card will work properly

FIRMWARE UPDATE for SCR-331 Reader
(Requires a physical Windows computer, Mac using Bootcamp, or LPS (see next sentence below). It will NOT work in virtual Windows (examples: VMware, Parallels, or Virtual box)).
Intel based Macs can update the firmware using LPS (instructions on top of PDF page 37 (document page 34)) Video instructions
The firmware update 'should' fix the following problems:

A. Card reader is not recognized

B. Shows up as 'STCII Smart Card Reader'

C. Shows up as 'USB Smart Card Reader' (not necessarily a problem)

D. Does not read your 'Gemalto TOP DL GX4 144', 'Oberthur ID One 128 v5.5 Dual' CAC.

E. Does not read your CAC when using your Mac

F. Trying to use the Windows 7 built in Smart Card service instead of ActivClient.

NOTE: We are hearing more and more Mac users having problems with the SCR-331 reader. A recommendation is to get a Mac compatible reader.

Installation Instructions:
1. Download update file from MilitaryCAC or Identive
2. Unzip the downloaded file (by Right-clicking and selecting Extract All)
3. Update the driver present in the 'driver' folder (by following guidance above)
4. Once the driver is updated, Run FWUPDATE.EXE (lightning bolt) in the 'app' folder to update the firmware. Select the default choices.
5. Close all programs, restart your computer
NOTE: If you computer fails to recognize the CAC reader driver, you may need to try a different computer to do the update.
Now your SCR-331 reader can be used with Windows 8, 7, Vista or Mac.
FIRMWARE UPDATE for SCR-3310 reader
(V1 ONLY (doesn't have V2 after SCR-3310 on the label))
(Requires a physical Windows computer, Mac using Bootcamp, or LPS (see next sentence below). It will NOT work in virtual Windows (examples: VMware, Parallels, or Virtual box)).
Intel based Macs can update the firmware using LPS (instructions on PDF page 37 (document page 34)) Video instructions
NOTE: DO NOT use this update on a V2 reader. There is no firmware update for a V2 because it is already updated.
Click on FWUpdate.exe, this will update your firmware to version 5.26
CHECK SERVICES to make sure Smart Card is running
(This Video shows a very basic version on how to start the service)
If your CAC reader is still not seen by ActivClient, make sure that the Smart Card service is running.
Here's how: Go to: Start, Run (in XP), Start Search (in Vista), Search programs and files (in Windows 7), Right click Windows 'start button' select Run (Windows 8.1), type: Services.msc Scroll down to Smart card, double click it and set it to automatic and click Start
If you are unable to start the service; It doesn't show up; ActivClient still says no reader attached; or it acknowledges you have a CAC in the reader (but you can't access it) follow these registry edits below.
Windows 8 & 8.1
Automated method (double click the .reg file inside the .zip folder)
Windows 7 & Vista
Automated method (double click the .reg file inside the .zip folder) from MilitaryCAC
Automated method (with instructions) from Lazybit
Manual method for Windows 7 & Vista systems (mirror your registry settings to the PDF links below for your specific version of Windows).
Windows XP
Automated method (double click the .reg file inside the .zip folder)
Alternate cure for XP (Requires your original XP installation CD)
Anytime you make changes to the Registry it is a recommended you back it up first
Army Cac Reader For Mac
If ActivClient still does not see the CAC reader, try these ideas (if they don't work, your only other option is reloading Windows onto your computer).
  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.

Cac Card Reader For Mac

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:

Army Cac Reader For Mac

Additional Steps for Firefox

  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

Best Cac Reader For Mac

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

Cac Reader For 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:

Cac Software 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.