How to fix "Your connection is not private" error. (2023)

Written by Kyle Chivers, a NortonLifeLock contributor

We've all been there. They shop online, open 20 tabs in search, or visit a new website for the first time. Then the dreaded “Your connection is not private” error pops up in your browser, warning you that yourOnline Privacy— personal information, payment methods, etc. — you might be at risk when you access the website.

You may be wondering how to fix "Your connection is not private" error. Here we explain how you can fix the problem yourself, what the error looks like in each browser and why your connection is not private in the first place.

• What is the "Your connection is not private" error?
• Why am I getting the message "Your connection is not private"?
• This is what the "Your connection is not private" error looks like in any browser
• How to fix “Your connection is not private” error yourself
• Explanation of "Your connection is not private" error codes.

What is the "Your connection is not private" error?

A "Your connection is not private" error means your browser can't verify that visiting a website is safe. Your browser is issuing this warning message to prevent you from visiting the website because visiting an unsafe or unsafe website could put your personal information at risk.

Your browser checks a website's security certificate to confirm that the website protects your privacy when you visit it. If a certificate doesn't meet the standard, it means your personal information may not be encrypted and therefore vulnerable to online threats. In short, a "Your connection is not private" error means just that: your connection is not private, and the error must not be ignored.

The "Your connection is not private" error made headlines in September 2021 thanks to the planned expiration of digital certificates issued by Let's Encrypt.

Let's Encrypt is one of the largest issuers of HTTPS certificates that encrypt or encrypt the connections between your smartphones, laptops and other devices and the internet. These certificates and the encryption they provide ensure that intruders cannot steal your data while you search the web.

Thanks to these certificates, cybercriminals cannot read your credentials when you connect to your online bank, steal your passwords when you visit the online credit card portal, or spy on the emails between you and your medical care providers.

However, only at the end of SeptemberLet's Encrypt saw its root certificate expired🇧🇷 Those who rely on older devices to connect to the internet may have noticed an increase in "Your connection is not private" errors when browsing the internet.

The root certificate Let's Encrypt uses, known as IdentTrust DST Root CA X3, was due to expire on September 30, and it did. Because of this, computers, devices, and browsers will no longer trust certificates issued by Let's Encrypt after this date. Tech experts say this wouldn't pose a problem for most consumers. However, they said that devices running older software, such as Older smartphone models, for example, are more likely to see more "Your connection is not private" errors due to Let's Encrypt certificate expiration.

Why does "Your connection is not private" appear?

Before you visit any website, your browser checks that website's digital certificates to make sure they meet the requirements andProtect your private information, such as contact information, passwords and payment methods, usually throughCryptography🇧🇷 Most of the time, the error "Your connection is not private" is found in a website's SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which is required for websites running over HTTPS (connection security). If your browser aSSL-Certificate, prevents you from visiting the website by displaying the "Your connection is not private" error message.

There are various reasons why an SSL certificate cannot be verified. The certificate may be missing, expired, or misconfigured, meaning the site cannot adequately protect your data. Regardless of the cause of the SSL crash, the website owner needs to fix it. However, sometimes your browser or device settings may have problems and cannot communicate with the website you are trying to visit. Fortunately, you can often solve this dilemma yourself, and the steps are relatively the same for every browser.

This is what the "Your connection is not private" error looks like in any browser

Each browser communicates its "Your connection is not private" error differently. Some even set the warning to "Your connection is not secure." Others offer error codes to help you troubleshoot the issue. And almost all ring like a literal warning bell. You can see that.

Google Chrome

If Google Chrome has trouble validating a certificate, it will show a big red exclamation mark and say:

"Your connection is not private.

"Your connection is not private. Attackers may be trying to steal your domain.com information (such as passwords, messages, or credit cards)."

An error code follows, alerting you to the problem.

Common error codes:

• ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY
• ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
  
• ROT::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
  
• NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
  
• NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID
  
• NET::ERR_CERT_WEAK_SIGNATURE_ALGORITHMT
  
• HINWEIS::ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED
  
• SSL certificate error
  

Mozilla-Firefox

If Mozilla Firefox has problems validating the certificate, it returns a lock with a red slash and the message:

"Your connection is not secure

"The .com domain owner misconfigured their website. To prevent your information from being stolen, Firefox has not connected to this website."

It also gives you some error codes to identify the problem.

Common error codes:

• ERROR_SELF_SIGNED_CERT
• MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_ADDITIONAL_POLICY_CONSTRAINT_FAILED
  
• MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_MITM_DETECTED
  
• SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE
  
• SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE
  
• SEC_ERROR_OCSP_INVALID_SIGNING_CERT
  
• SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER
  
• SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN
  

Safari

Unlike other browsers, Safari doesn't give you error codes right away. Instead, it returns a crossed out red lock and the message:

“This connection is not private.

"This website may impersonate "domain.com" to steal your personal or financial information. You should return to the previous page.

I can also link the certificate with a "view details" button to help you understand the risks involved in accessing the site.

on board the Microsoft

Microsoft Edge is based on the error message "Your connection is not private" from Google Chrome up to the red exclamation mark:

"Your connection is not private

Your connection is not private. Attackers may be trying to steal your .com domain information (such as passwords, messages, or credit cards).”

This is also followed by an error code.

Common error codes:

• DLG_FLAGS_INVALID_CA
• DLG_FLAGS_SEC_CERT_CN_INVALID
  
• Error code: 0
  
• NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID
  

How to fix “Your connection is not private” error yourself

There are many reasons why you might get the "Your connection is not private" error. But often it is due to an error in the SSL certificate that only the website owner can fix. Still, there are a few ways you can use to fix your connection is not private error listed here, ranging from the simplest solutions to more in-depth fixes.

1.refresh page

Sure it's the oldest trick in the book, but reloading your browser is the easiest step to fix your connection isn't a private issue. If it doesn't work the first time you try to reload, try closing the browser completely and reloading.

2.Consider using public WiFi

There are manyRisks associated with using public WiFi🇧🇷 In fact, hackers love public WiFi. Part of the equation is that some public networks don't work with HTTPS, or aren't properly configured for it, which in turn leads your browser to think the site isn't secure. Because of this, many public Wi-Fi networks, e.g. B. Cafes, hotels and airports require users to visit the portal screen and accept their terms and conditions before browsing is allowed. If you need to browse these public Wi-Fi networks, here's a more secure approach:

How to connect to public WiFi

1. Connect to a public Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to a website, e.g. https://www.norton.com
   
3. A portal screen with a login page must be opened to accept the Browsing Terms of Use.
4. Sign in, accept the terms and browse
   

Still stopped? Try typing 1.1.1.1 in your browser or try connecting to a different network. It is best to use a virtual private network (VPN). If you are concerned about encrypting your internet traffic, consider using a trusted virtual private network such asNorton SecureVPNto ensure your most sensitive information remains hidden from prying eyes. However, please note the do's and don'ts when using public WLANs.

3.Check your computer's date and time

Make sure your computer is running at this time. Your computer's clock should match that of your browser; Otherwise, you may not be able to see a website's SSL certificate. A computer's date and time can often be incorrect if it is a newly purchased device. To avoid this in the future, make sure the date and time are updated automatically.

How to update your time on a Mac

1. Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
2. Choose date and time
   
3. Make sure the date and time are correct
   
4. To do the automatic adjustment, select the "Time zone" tab.
   
5. Click the lock in the lower left corner to make changes
6. Check the "Automatically set time zone based on current location" box.

How to update your time in Windows

1. Right-click the date and time on the taskbar
2. Click "Adjust Date/Time" and verify that they are correct
3. To auto-adjust, select "Auto-set time" or "Auto-set time zone" and update
4. Confirm that the time in the taskbar has been updated, then close and reopen the browser

4.remain anonymous

Incognito mode lets you browse without saving your history or cache, which can help you analyze why your connection isn't private. For example, if you still can't browse incognito, the website with security issues is probably to blame. However, it could also be a problem with the browser's cache or an extension. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari are allBrowser in incognito mode.

5.Clear your browsing data

Computer-CookiesThey are useful because they personalize your browsing experience based on your past activity. They can streamline your online registrations and purchases by storing and autofilling your personal information and payment methods. This is convenient, but it can also pose a security issue if your connection is not private. Clearing your browsing data means that this private information is no longer stored on your device, but it also means a safer browsing experience. Yes of course,how to delete cookiesdiffers depending on the browser.

6.Check your antivirus software

VPNs and antivirus software can sometimes be too protective and even block some SSL certificates or replace your network. To see if it is your connection is not private issue, just disable the software temporarily and try browsing.

7.Update your operating system

If your device is not up to date, it may not be able to communicate properly with your browser and therefore cannot verify that a website is safe to visit. Depending on your device, there are several ways to check if your operating system needs an update.

How to check if your Mac's operating system is up to date

1. Click on the apple icon in the top left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences"
2. Select "Software Update" in the new window
   
3. If updates are available, click the Update Now button and proceed with the update

How to check if the Windows operating system is up to date

1. Click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen and select "Settings"
2. Click Update & Security
   
3. Click on "Windows Update" in the left menu
   
4. View the status of the update or click Check for Updates to see if you need to proceed with the update

8.restart your computer

If you've tried all the steps above, these are desperate times and you might want to take some desperate measures to fix your connection is not private error. Restarting your computer can be a hassle as there are many things going on at the same time. But it actually serves as a nice reset to clear all temporary caches. For a hard reset, reboot the router.

9.Searching for help

Visit the help forums for your specific browser to see how other people have tried to fix the "Your connection is not private" error in the past. Is it still short? The problem is likely with the certificate itself: it could be expired, issued by an invalid source, use an old algorithm, invalid domain name variant, etc. - and the repair is beyond your control. However, it can be part of the solution by alerting the website owner that the “Your connection is not private” error is occurring. Be a good digital citizen and do so politely via email or kindly on social media.

10Proceed carefully with the website (not recommended)

If you absolutely must access a site now, you can ignore the warning and continue manually. This is never a recommended option, especially if you're entering personal information or payment details on a website and you're doing it on a public WiFi network. But it is an option that the browser offers in the error message. If you understand the implications of browsing an unsecured website and still want to continue manually, simply click the "Continue to domain.com" button on the error screen or find the button via an "Advanced" link in an error screen. Remember that your connection is not private. and it keeps getting betterkeep your data private.

Glossary: ​​"Your connection is not private" error codes

Here are some of the most common "Your connection is not private" error codes explained.

Google Chrome Error Codes

ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY

The site is running on a Symantec-issued certificate that is not supported

ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH

The website's SSL certificate may not be compatible with your device or your security settings and software

ROT::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID

The website's SSL certificate cannot be verified

NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID

The domain name of the SSL certificate does not match the domain name in the address bar

NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID

Your computer's time is not synchronized with your browser

NET::ERR_CERT_WEAK_SIGNATURE_ALGORITHMT

The website's SSL certificate was issued with an outdated algorithm

HINWEIS::ERR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED

The website's SSL certificate has not been publicly registered

SSL certificate error

The website's SSL certificate has an error

Mozilla Firefox error codes

ERROR_SELF_SIGNED_CERT

The website's certificate is self-signed and therefore not trusted.

MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_ADDITIONAL_POLICY_CONSTRAINT_FAILED

The website's certificate was issued by an untrusted authority.

MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_MITM_DETECTED

AAtaque Man-in-the-Middlewas ascertained.

SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE

The site's certificate has expired.

SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_ISSUER_CERTIFICATE

Your computer's time is not synchronized with your browser

SEC_ERROR_OCSP_INVALID_SIGNING_CERT

The website and/or its certificate are incorrectly configured

SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER

The website's certifier is unknown and therefore untrustworthy

SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN

The website certificate is not valid for the domain name

Microsoft Edge error codes

DLG_FLAGS_INVALID_CA oder DLG_FLAGS_SEC_CERT_CN_INVALID

The website's certificate is not installed correctly, has expired, or malicious activity is taking place

Error code: 0

The website's security certificate is not secure.

NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID

The domain name on the SSL certificate does not match the domain name in your address bar

Note that even after fixing the "Your connection is not private" error, it's still worth rememberingprivate browsingIt's more private if you use a VPN. That's because ofhow does a vpn work- Masks your Internet Protocol (IP) address and encrypts your Internet traffic. Essentially, a VPN makes your online actions untraceable. Combine that with security software and you have a very secure connection.