I just reset my Firefox due to an unwanted search engine taking over my browser and now I get an "untrusted connection" message on every website I try to visit?
I can add an exception for most sites, but most of them don't load correctly after I do that. I have to add an exception for literally every Google search, every website and even to post on this forum, and the exception only works once before I have to add it again. I don't have any add-ons, my computer's date and time are correct, I don't have ESET security software (or whatever it is that people were talking about in some of the other forums-I use Microsoft Security Essentials) and the error message looks something like this for every site:
...uses an invalid security certificate.
The certificate is not trusted because no issuer chain was provided.
(Error code: sec_error_unknown_issuer)
This didn't happen until I reset Firefox, so I know it doesn't actually have anything to do with the websites.
Help??
All Replies (10)
You shouldn't have to make any exceptions. Especially on sites that do not use a secure connection.
In addition to ESET, I think Bitdefender has a feature to intercept your secure connections. But... Firefox reset shouldn't change that.
Unfortunately, your browser didn't give any information on your setup. Could you check your proxy setting here:
(WIN) orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Options > Advanced
(MAC) Firefox > Preferences > Advanced
(LINUX) Edit > Preferences > Advanced
On the Network mini-tab, click the Settings button. Choose "No Proxy" and OK out. You might need to restart Firefox before this takes effect.
His solution sounds right. Did you install any new software recently that normally installs those unwanted search engines. I use Linux so I don't have that problem but for you it sounds like you installed some new software and now it is causing a problem for you. Do you have antivirus software if so please run a antivirus scan.
I followed your advice above, restarted Firefox, and am still having the same problems. I also ran an anti-virus scan which came up negative. Any other ideas?
Also, the search engine that "took over" before I reset Firefox was just Bing, so every time I tried to run a Google search in the search bar (even when it said my search engine was Google) it would use Bing. If that made sense. Probably unnecessary detail anyway.
Although a Reset usually bypasses add-on issues, I think we have to try Firefox's Safe Mode anyway. (More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode)
Help > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
In the dialog, click "Start in Safe Mode."
Do certificates work? If not, please check that plugins are disabled here:
orange Firefox button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons > Plugins category
Any difference?
Which antivirus software do you run and did you run a quick scan or a full scan? From what it sounds it has to be a program on your computer messing up your Firefox.
It sounds like you have a third party program that has taken over your search engine, home page, and/or the default new tab page. Fortunately, this can be remedied easily:
- At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP), and then click Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager tab will open.
- In the Add-ons Manager tab, select the Extensions panel.
- Select the toolbar you wish to remove.
- Click the remove button.
- Click "Restart now" if it pops up. Your tabs will be saved and restored after the restart.
After Firefox restarts, install the Search Reset Tool. This will remove the rest of the traces of this program from your Firefox.
For further information, please read Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page.
Did this fix the problem? Let us know!
Hi nathansuchy, I think you are addressing the problems the poster had in his old profile, but after the reset he has a new problem... We might want to try to resurrect the old settings and work from there, but let's hold that thought for the moment.
Ok he is now getting cert errors and there is a program (likly a virus) messing with his SSL connections. Maybe you need to go to your anti virus software and let it check firefox for you.
Check out why the site is untrusted (see the Technical details) and if this is caused by a missing intermediate certificate then see if you can install this intermediate certificate from another source.
Some firewalls monitor secure (https) connections and send their own certificate instead of the website's certificate.
You can retrieve the certificate and check details like who issued certificates and expiration dates of certificates.
- Click the link at the bottom of the error page: "I Understand the Risks"
Let Firefox retrieve the certificate: "Add Exception" -> "Get Certificate".
- Click the "View..." button and inspect the certificate and check who is the issuer.
You can see more Details like intermediate certificates that are used in the Details pane.