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I cannot connect to a website I have used for ages.

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I have been using duckduckgo for a long time, but it recently says it is not secure. Error code: : SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER

I have been using duckduckgo for a long time, but it recently says it is not secure. Error code: : SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER

All Replies (6)

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There is security software like Avast, Kaspersky, BitDefender and ESET that intercept secure connection certificates and send their own.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-cant-load-websites-other-browsers-can

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-and-other-browsers-cant-load-websites

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/secure-connection-failed-error-message

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/connection-untrusted-error-message

Websites don't load - troubleshoot and fix error messages

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites

What do the security warning codes mean


  • MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_MITM_DETECTED
  • uses an invalid security certificate SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN
  • configured their website improperly

How to troubleshoot the error code "SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER" on secure websites https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER

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I have BitDefender. Does this mean I have to uuninstall it or is there another way around? Also, seems pretty dumb they don't have a seperate error code for this!

Modified by chrismadden

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I suggest you contact BitDefender support. Please keep us posted.

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Who is the issuer of the certificate?

You can check if there is more detail available about the issuer of the certificate.

  • click the "Advanced" button show more detail
  • click the blue error text (SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER) to show the certificate chain
  • click "Copy text to clipboard" and paste the base64 certificate chain text in a reply

If clicking the blue error text doesn't provide the certificate chain then try these steps to inspect the certificate.

  • open the Servers tab in the Certificate Manager
    • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
      Certificates: View Certificates -> Servers: "Add Exception"
  • paste the URL of the website (https://xxx.xxx) in it's Location field

Let Firefox retrieve the certificate -> "Get Certificate"

  • click the "View" button and inspect the certificate

You can see detail like the issuer of the certificate and intermediate certificates in the Details tab.

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"Certificate issuer is not recognised."

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chrismadden said

"Certificate issuer is not recognised."

Hi Chris, if you click View Certificate, though, what do you see in the area I've boxed in red in the attachment.

If instead of that dialog you get a large block of gibberish, you can copy/paste that here as mentioned by cor-el.