Hi Colin,

I am quite sure that this is an anti-virus problem. Most anti-virus software have web protection components, which fiddle with the certificates, and this usually causes issues with Firefox, as it doesn't use the certificate store of the operating system (it has its own).

So, are you using any antivirus?

Regards, Balázs

Hi Balazs Many thanks for your reply. Yes I do use ESET anti virus but I also have it on my iPad and Android phone. It’s only on the laptop that I get the problem. Can you recommend a work around? Regards Colin

Hi Colin, is there a more specific explanation or a SEC_ERROR code on the connection error page? There are many possible reasons for the problem and it would be helpful to narrow it down.

Someone else suggested this might be an issue with my anti virus programme which is ESET and that seems to make sense. However I have no connection problems when using Microsoft Edge on the laptop and no problems on my iPad and Android phone which are also running ESET anti virus. I'd like to continue with Firefox but this is a limitation for which hopefully there is a workaround. I attach a screenshot

Hi Colin,

As I said, Firefox works differently on desktop (AFAIK on iOS and Android it uses system cert store, just like other browsers). You should try to disable your AV to find out if that causes the issue. If that's the case, you might choose one of the following options:

• disable only the web protection module of your AV
• import the root certificate of ESET into Firefox, so it will trust in the injected certificates (they should have a page explaining this, I found this forum post about this topic)
• tell Firefox to trust the system-level certificates, by setting security.enterprise_roots.enabled to true in about:config.

The second option might be your best bet, if you are otherwise pleased with ESET.

Regards, Balázs

The PR_CONNECT_RESET_ERROR code indicates that the server, or an intermediary router, or some filter, sent Firefox an RST command, which is an instruction to immediately stop trying to connect.

I can't think of a reason that ESET or other security software would block access to The Times. I assume you are not connecting from a country that censors access to international media (this would include using a VPN that connects through a restrictive country). That makes me wonder whether there is something unusual about the attempted connection.

Does it work any better to search for the paper through Google or another site, and then navigate to the site by clicking it in the results links?

Maybe your requests are modified by an intermediary (such as a proxy server, your security software, or an interloper). Although most people are not intentionally using a proxy server, Firefox may discover one set up in your system settings. Sometimes forcing Firefox to ignore those settings helps with weird connection issues. Here's how:

Open the Settings page using either:

• "3-bar" menu button > Settings
• (menu bar) Tools > Settings
• type or paste about:preferences into the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it

In the very tiny search box at the top of the page, type proxy and Firefox should filter to the "Network Settings" section of the page.

Click the Settings button, change the top setting to "No Proxy" and then click the OK button at the bottom of the dialog to save your change.

Any difference?