"Secure Connection Failed" Firefox 57 and Windows 7, Can't load any sites. Please help!
Dear Mozilla Volunteers,
Hello! Could you please help me? About a week or so ago, my Firefox automatically updated to Firefox 57, Quantum. I noticed that websites were loading more slowly.
Yesterday I was surfing as usual and suddenly I got 2 blue screen crashes within a 2 or 3 hour period. I had to restart Windows each time. I ran Spybot as well as CC Cleaner (cleaning up the registry as well). I tried to do a system restore as well. Then I noticed that, although I can gain access to the internet (the firefox home page), I cannot gain access to any other website.
Each time I try to open a page, the new Firefox ball wags back and forth, like it's taunting me, and then finally the message "Secure Connection Failed" / "Problem loading page" comes up.
I have Windows 7. I tried to go through the troubleshooting steps on the firefox website, checking extentions and plugins. I ckecked my firewall and i do see MozillaFirefox listed.
I am not able to clear history, because for that I need internet connectivity or workable browser, right? I also cannot refresh firefox or download a new version of firefox. How does one install an internet browser when one does not have an internet browser?
Could this be Malware?
I have had both MalwareBytes (the paid version) running the whole time, as well as the free anti-virus program "Commodo". However, I believe I did see Malware warning messages flashing up a few times yesterday.
I don't know a lot about computers. Could someone please walk me through a series of Troubleshooting Steps until we fix this problem, i.e. until I have an internet browser that works? I am a full-time researcher and writer, so the sooner we can fix this, the better. This is my only computer, so I must work in an internet cafe until I get my computer working again. I am feeling extremely anxious. Thank you so much, in advance, for your help!
Lillian
All Replies (14)
Hello. It looks like the update somehow corrupted the SSL certificates. Try doing the following.
- Go to the configurations page at about:config You will see a warning that it will void your warranty. Say yes.
- Look for a setting called OSCP stapling, search for security.ssl.enable_ocsp_stapling in the bar at the bar above. Its value will be true. Set it to false by clicking on it and restart Firefox. Switch it back to true when you can access websites.
And you can clear your history without an internet connection too. It is just a list of websites you have been that is stored locally. It is also possible that some utility tool accidentally changed your Firefox settings. Is the problem limited to Firefox? Can you access the web from any other browser like Internet Explorer? If yes, then finally you can re download Firefox Quantum directly.
Thank you, Rugwed.
Well, I followed your instructions carefully, but unfortunately I still cannot load pages.
I alco cleared the cache via CC Cleaner.
I do not have any other browser installed on my computer. I think maybe Internet Explorer is on within Microsoft, but I dont know how to get it on to worker as an alternative browser.
Is there any other troubleshooting process you can guide me through?
Thank yu again for your help! Lillian
You don't need any special configuration or for Internet Explorer. You can simply open it directly and go to the Firefox download website directly like any other website and download it again. You may be prompted to set Internet Explorer as your default browser.
Thank you Rugwed!
Well I notice this sounds stupid, but I literally do not know where to go on my laptop to start up Internet Explorer. There is no desktop icon and it is not listed in my programs above the Windows start button. Where can I find IE on my computer? I need something to click on.
Thank you very much for your help and patience! Lillian
After clicking on Start, type "internet explorer" and it will show up.
Hi Rugwed,
I now know that all browsers do not work. Both Opera and Internet Explorer also do not work. Do you think it is a virus?
What should I do now?
Thank you for your help.
Lillian
The best that you can do from what I read is to just reset your computer. Move all valuable files to a storage disk first though. I'm so sorry, but if no browsers work, then that means your entire pc is (Probably) corrupted. I don't know any other solution to this. If you do reset it, then internet explorer will work again though. I won't tell you how to reset your pc because you probably already know how. Sorry about your pc! -Zombieslayer57
Modified by Zombieslayer57
Thanks Rugwed!
Actually I don't know how to reset my computer. Do you mean re-install Windows?
A repair person will do that tomorrow. He's sick today.
In the mean time, I have run MalwareBytes, Rkill, TDSS Killer, CC Cleaner, and Adw Cleaner.
After this I will do Hitman Pro.
So far the only thing I've found is PUP Optional Legacy. Is that serious?
Someone also suggested that I should try to start the laptp in Safe Mode wih Networking. Would that help? If I can access the internet that way, what would that tell us?
Thank you very much for your help!
Lillian
I'm not Rugwed. But if you want to run safe mode, then shut down your pc, then turn it on and spam the F8 key. Then use the arrow keys to select safe mode and then press enter. If that dosen't work, then go to this website, they will tell you how to reset a windows 7; https://neosmart.net/wiki/restore-to-factory-settings/ Hope this helps! -Zombieslayer57
Newsflash! I am re-running the TDSS Killer because I had forgotten to choose all parameters.
It is still running and has come up with 5 threats so far. Maybe when I eliminate them, Firefox will work again?
Possibly... If not, then you need to reset your pc because it may or may not have deleted nesicary files for the pc. Hope this helps! -Zombieslayer57
I just searched it up, and yes it should help. It says that these programs can block some things from running properly, or even at all!
Modified by Zombieslayer57
Thanks Zombieslayer. The TDSS scan is STILL in process. We're up to 6 detected objects.
Once this is done, and I've removed the ojects, I will reboot and try to enter in safe mode. More later...
did it finish?