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ssl_error_bad_mac_alert and will not connect to wireless network

  • 4 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 59 views
  • Last reply by guigs

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I sure would like to solve this. I was using Safari on my 2008 Mac and then it became outdated on some websites so I switched to Firefox. I am using a wireless connection supplied by the RV park that we are in with a password. I must use Safari to log in then I can use Firefox once that I am connected. (Firefox 38.0.1). Is there some way to disable whatever security line is causing this problem. I also use Firefox on a windows7 laptop from time to time with no problems. So far this is the only problem that I have found since installing Firefox on the Mac.

I sure would like to solve this. I was using Safari on my 2008 Mac and then it became outdated on some websites so I switched to Firefox. I am using a wireless connection supplied by the RV park that we are in with a password. I must use Safari to log in then I can use Firefox once that I am connected. (Firefox 38.0.1). Is there some way to disable whatever security line is causing this problem. I also use Firefox on a windows7 laptop from time to time with no problems. So far this is the only problem that I have found since installing Firefox on the Mac.

Chosen solution

I understand that it also does work on other browsers, but there may or may not be an issue with the network.

If the service has some form of security, the ssl might be the issue. This error came up a bit when they changed the security policy in Firefox in the last two versions. If you are interested in the details, check out the blog here and the new security certificate: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/g.../policy/

There were two work arounds to narrow down which one it was:

  • Note this is not secure: Change the fallback configuration back to 1.0

security.tls.version.fallback-limit = 1 In order to change your Firefox Configuration please do the following steps :

  1. In the Location bar, type about:config and press Enter. The about:config "This might void your warranty!" warning page may appear.
  2. Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue to the about:config page.
  3. search for fallback, doubleclick on the entry and change 3 to 1.



I am not sure how your internet is setup, you could try to change the dns server in your computer settings to 8.8.8.8 which is Google's open dns server. (DNS is like a phonebook for websites)

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Hi Peon, To check the theory where a security setting is an issue, is it possible to share a screenshot of the security information of the webpage from the working Windows 7 machine?

The Encryption information on this menu: Right click on the webpage > Select "Show Page Info" > Click on the Security Tab

If you have a url, we can test and troubleshoot this together, however if it is network dependent please also contact your network administrator.

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Sorry but I have been gone for a week. Well I also made a mistake in the original question. The Windows7 machine will not log in either with Firefox but will work with Explorer. Interesting that Safari and Explorer will work but Firefox on either of the computers will not. It may in fact be the wireless network in the RV park but they will not admit to it. Everybody that is using a Mac is using Safari and all the Windows machines are using Explorer or Chrome and here I am using what I like. Really there must me something I can change to get it to work.

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More info: I did look at the network login and it is not encrypted. I examined it with Firefox when it would not work just to see if I could see anything strange. Firefox did post a caution that it was not encrypted and that someone could see what I was doing. Once that I am on the network with Safari or Explorer and then go back and look at it now the network is encrypted. Don't know whether that will help to solve the problem but I am at wits end.

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Chosen Solution

I understand that it also does work on other browsers, but there may or may not be an issue with the network.

If the service has some form of security, the ssl might be the issue. This error came up a bit when they changed the security policy in Firefox in the last two versions. If you are interested in the details, check out the blog here and the new security certificate: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/g.../policy/

There were two work arounds to narrow down which one it was:

  • Note this is not secure: Change the fallback configuration back to 1.0

security.tls.version.fallback-limit = 1 In order to change your Firefox Configuration please do the following steps :

  1. In the Location bar, type about:config and press Enter. The about:config "This might void your warranty!" warning page may appear.
  2. Click I'll be careful, I promise! to continue to the about:config page.
  3. search for fallback, doubleclick on the entry and change 3 to 1.



I am not sure how your internet is setup, you could try to change the dns server in your computer settings to 8.8.8.8 which is Google's open dns server. (DNS is like a phonebook for websites)