Firefox is a popular web browser that is free to download and is available for the Windows, macOS, Android and iOS platform. It uses the Gecko layout engine to render web pages making it secure and fast. Although this is a solid performing software there are instances when certain issues can occur which we will be addressing today. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Firefox your connection is not secure issue.
How To Fix Firefox Your Connection Is Not Secure Issue
Before performing any of the recommended troubleshooting steps listed below it’s best to restart your computer first. This action refreshes the operating system and remove any corrupt temporary data that could be causing the problem.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from an incorrect time/date to an interference from the antivirus software. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Make sure your computer has the correct time and date
If your computer has an incorrect time and date then this will cause a discrepancy when verifying certificates which can then result to this problem.
- Type “control” in the search bar then click on the Control Panel app.
- In the control panel, select “Date and Time” or “Clock and Region” according to the type of control panel selected.
- Once the clock is opened, click “Change date and time”.
- Set the correct time and also select the correct region.
- Press ‘Apply’ after making all the changes.
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Temporarily disable the antivirus
There are instances when an overly aggressive antivirus setting can cause this problem. To check if this is the case, you should temporarily disable the antivirus.
Avast
- Right-click on the avast! icon in the system tray. Select avast! shields control and there will be options to disable avast for 10 minutes, 1 hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently.
Bitdefender
- Double click on the system icon for Bit Defender.
- When the Bit Defender window appears, move the mouse arrow to the left side and click >> Virus Shield.
- Move mouse arrow to the black check by Virus Shield is enabled and click.
- The black works will change to red, >> Virus Shield is disabled.
- Move mouse arrow to the top right corner and click the down arrows.
- Bit Defender is now inactive.
- To enable Bit Defender, do the same steps except click to enable.
Microsoft Security Essentials
- Right-click on the MSE icon in the system tray and choose Open.
- Click the Settings tab, then click Real Time Protection.
- Uncheck the box next to “Turn on real time protection”.
- Click the “Save changes” button.
- Exit MSE when done.
ESET
- Double click on the system tray icon to open the main application window.
- Or via Start >> All Programs >> ESET >> ESET Smart Security.
- Click Setup >> Antivirus and antispyware >> Temporarily disable Antivirus and antispyware protection.
- When prompted to confirm temporarily disable select Yes.
- Note: Protection will be automatically started after a system reboot.
McAfee
- Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for the McAfee icon.
- Right-click it -> chose “Exit.”
- A popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on “Yes” to disable the Antivirus guard.
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Change security.enterprise_roots.enabled setting
- Open Firefox and type “about:config” in the address area and press Enter.
- On the search bar type “root” in the dialogue box and wait for the results to be populated.
- Select the option “enterprise_roots.enabled”. Right-click it and select “Toggle”. This will enable the value which was first false.
- Try opening any web page.
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Disable SSL3 Preferences
- Open Firefox and type “about:config” in the address area and press Enter.
- When the search bar appears at the top of the window, type “ssl3” in the dialogue box and wait for the results to be populated.
- Change both values to “false” by toggling the key.
- Select the menu icon present at the top-right side of the window and click “Help” and then “Troubleshooting Information”.
- Under the heading “Application Basics”, click “Open folder” in front of Profile Folder.
- Run the Data Base Files of “cert8.db” and “cert9.db” for them to be updated. Make sure to close Mozilla Firefox first before running the files.
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Enable the “auto-detect proxy”
- Press the menu icon on the top-right side of the window. Now select “General” and click “Settings” under the heading of “Network Proxy”.
- Now select the option “Auto-detect proxy settings for this network”. Save changes and exit.
- Restart Mozilla Firefox
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Reset Firefox
This will revert the browser back to its default settings. Make sure to have a backup of your browser settings.
- Open Firefox
- Select the menu icon present at the top-right side of the window and click “Help” and then “Troubleshooting Information”.
- Click “Refresh Firefox” present at the right-end.
- Restart your computer.
Check if the Firefox your connection is not secure issue still occurs.
Add exception to the website
In case the issue only occurs on a particular website then you can add an exception to it. Take note that this is risky if you are trying to visit an unknown website.
- Open the website you want to access which gives you the error message. Click Advanced and then select Add Exception.
- A new dialogue box will pop up. Confirm the security exception after clicking the action box and see if you can access the website without any problems.