Steps to Resolve “Your Connection Is Not Private” Error
Having an unsecured internet connection can put your sensitive information at risk. When you try to visit a website that requires an encrypted (HTTPS) connection, like your bank, you may see an error message in your browser warning you that “Your connection is not private.”
This article will explain what causes the “your connection is not private” error, why you see it, and, most importantly, how to fix it so you can browse securely. We’ll cover troubleshooting steps for all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Key Takeaways
- The “your connection is not private” error means your connection to a website is not encrypted through HTTPS.
- It appears when there are issues with the website’s SSL certificate, mixed content on the page, or problems on your device, like an out-of-date browser, malware, or a misconfigured network.
- To fix it, you can update your browser, clear your cache/cookies, check for malware, turn off proxy connections, or resolve any issues with the site’s SSL certificate or mixed content.
- Site owners should ensure that their SSL certificates are valid, enable HTTPS on their servers, and avoid mixed content by loading all sub-resources over HTTPS.
What Does “Your Connection Is Not Private” Mean?
The “your connection is not private” warning appears in your browser when you try to visit a website that requires an encrypted HTTPS connection. Still, something is preventing that secure connection from being established.
HTTPS connections are encrypted through SSL/TLS certificates. This encryption protects your data and prevents third parties from accessing sensitive information transferred between your browser and the website.
If there is an issue establishing that secure HTTPS connection, your browser warns that your data could potentially be exposed or compromised on an unsecured connection.
Some common reasons you may see the “your connection is not private” error include:
- The website has an invalid or expired SSL certificate.
- The web server is not configured correctly for HTTPS.
- Mixed content is being loaded over unencrypted HTTP instead of HTTPS.
- Your network is intercepting traffic through a proxy or firewall.
- Your browser, operating system, antivirus, or other settings are misconfigured.
- Malware on your device is intercepting traffic.
When does the “Your Connection Is Not Private” Error Appear?
There are a few specific situations when you’re likely to run into the “your connection is not private” warning:
- Visiting a website that requires HTTPS – Any website that transmits sensitive data should use HTTPS encryption. If it fails to establish a secure connection, you’ll get a warning.
- Using public Wi-Fi connections – Public hotspots often use proxies that can intercept traffic. So, you’ll see the error when connecting to HTTPS sites through public Wi-Fi.
- Connecting through corporate networks – Enterprise networks also rely on proxies, firewalls, and HTTPS inspection tools that can trigger certificate errors if not correctly configured.
- Expired or incorrect SSL certificate – If a website has an expired, self-signed, or invalid SSL certificate, browsers don’t trust the connection and display warnings.
- Mixed content – Loading HTTP resources on an HTTPS page triggers the blocking of mixed content and the non-private error in most browsers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fix “Your Connection is Not Private” Warning
If you encounter a “your connection is not private” error, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can take:
Update Your Browser
Make sure you’re using the latest version of your preferred browser. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox auto-update, but you may need to update older browsers like Safari or Internet Explorer manually.
Updated browsers have the latest SSL/TLS certificates needed to establish secure connections. Upgrading your browser is one of the simplest ways to fix HTTPS errors.
Clear Browsing Data
Open your browser settings and transparent cached files, cookies, and browsing history. Cached website files can sometimes cause connection errors. Clearing them forces your browser to reload the site.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security> Clear browsing data. Select the desired timeframe and types of data to remove.
Check for Malware
Malware and spyware can intercept traffic and cause certificate errors. To remove malware, run a full system scan using reliable antivirus software like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender.
You can also use the Chrome Cleanup Tool, which is specifically built to detect Chrome-related malware.
Disable Proxy Connections
Browser extensions, VPN services, enterprise networks, and public Wi-Fi sometimes route traffic through proxy servers. This can generate HTTPS certificate errors.
If you are not deliberately using a proxy service, go to your browser settings and make sure proxy connections are disabled.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security and turn off Use a proxy server under Security.
Allow Invalid Certificates
As a temporary workaround, you can add an exception in your browser to allow invalid certificates and proceed to the website.
In Chrome, click Advanced > Proceed to the site (unsafe). This will load the page but indicates the connection is still insecure.
Use this only for trusted sites you know should have valid HTTPS. Never ignore certificate errors for financial sites or sensitive transactions.
Clear SSL State
As a last resort, clearing your SSL state will completely reset all SSL certificate information in your browser. This forces a fresh import of certificates and fixes persistent HTTPS errors caused by outdated, cached certificate data.
- In Chrome, type chrome://net-internals/#ssl in the address bar and click Delete SSL state.
- In Firefox, go to about:config and reset security.tls.version.* fields to their default.
Contact the Website Owner
If you still see the error after trying the above steps, the problem is likely on the server end. Contact the website owner and inform them about the invalid certificate error.
Common problems they need to fix on the server include:
- Enabling HTTPS connections.
- Install an SSL certificate and configure it properly.
- Renewing an expired SSL certificate.
- Removing mixed content and loading all sub-resources over HTTPS.
How Website Owners Can Fix “Your Connection is Not Private”
As a website owner, there are a few key things you need to do to provide a valid HTTPS connection:
Obtain and install an SSL Certificate
To enable HTTPS, you need to obtain an SSL certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority like Let’s Encrypt or DigiCert. Install the certificate on your web server and complete the configuration steps for your platform.
Ensure the certificate is valid for your domain name and issued by a trusted authority. Self-signed certificates will cause browser errors.
Force HTTPS with HSTS
Use the HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) header to force browsers to only connect via HTTPS, preventing insecure HTTP connections.
Add the header like:
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload
Enable HTTPS on Your Web Server
Make sure your web server software is configured correctly to enable HTTPS connections. Options like HTTPS redirection should be enabled to force HTTPS.
In Nginx, use a server block like:
server {
listen 443 ssl;
ssl_certificate /path/to/cert.pem;
ssl_certificate_key /path/to/key.pem;
location / {
root /var/www/html;
index index.html;
}
}Avoid Mixed Content
Ensure all resources, such as images, scripts, and stylesheets, are loaded over HTTPS rather than HTTP. Mixed content triggers errors in most browsers.
Check that your site templates, CMS, plugins, CDNs, etc., are all configured to load over HTTPS by default.
By installing a valid certificate, enabling HTTPS connections, using HSTS, and avoiding mixed content, you can provide the secure encrypted connections that browsers require and avoid “your connection is not private” warnings for your visitors.
Common “Your Connection is Not Private” Error Messages
Here are some examples of specific error warnings you may encounter:
NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID
This means a trusted certificate authority does not sign the SSL certificate. It could be self-signed or issued by an authority that is not in your browser’s trusted root stores.
SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER
The certificate brand is unknown or not trusted. The issuing certificate authority is likely different from the one that your browser trusts by default.
SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE
This error indicates the site’s SSL certificate has expired. The site owner needs to renew their certificate or remove the expired certificate from their web server configuration.
SEC_ERROR_CERTIFICATE_TRANSPARENCY_REQUIRED
This is shown when a site has a certificate issued after 2018 that lacks certificate transparency information. The site owner needs to ensure their certificate issuer provides the necessary certificate transparency proofs.
NS_ERROR_NET_INADEQUATE_SECURITY
Mozilla Firefox displays this error when visiting a site with obsolete or insecure TLS versions or cipher suites. The site needs to be updated to remove support for old TLS/SSL protocols.
SSL_ERROR_RX_RECORD_TOO_LONG
This indicates an issue decrypting the TLS handshake due to an extensive, encrypted record provided by the server. It’s likely a server configuration issue.
ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR
A generic protocol error occurred when establishing the HTTPS connection in Chrome. This could indicate an issue with the server’s TLS configuration.
ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH
The client and server couldn’t agree on an SSL/TLS version or cipher suite due to a mismatch in what they support or allow. Often requires updates to server/client configurations.
The specific error message provides clues about what type of problem is preventing a private connection. Site owners can use this information to identify and troubleshoot misconfigurations causing the connection issues.
Conclusion
The “your connection is not private” error can be frustrating and concerning for users, but it can usually be resolved. Updating your browser, clearing cookies and cache, scanning for malware, and contacting the website owner are reasonable first steps. For site owners, proper use of HTTPS, valid certificates, and removal of mixed content are key. With a few troubleshooting steps, you should be able to establish a secure encrypted connection and enjoy safe browsing. Being aware of the causes and solutions for “your connection is not private” warnings help users and administrators ensure sensitive data stays protected.
Frequently Asked Questions about “Your Connection Is Not Private” Error
Why do I get this error on my bank’s website?
Banks require HTTPS connections to secure sensitive login details and account information. If your browser encounters an invalid certificate, expired certificate, or other HTTPS problem, it will warn you that your connection is not private.
Is it safe to ignore the warning and proceed to the site?
No, it is not safe. Never ignore certificate errors or proceed through warnings on financial sites or other sensitive transactions. Only proceed temporarily on trusted sites after verifying the owners are aware of the issue.
How do I fix it on public Wi-Fi networks?
Public Wi-Fi commonly uses proxies that intercept traffic, causing certificate errors. Avoid using public networks for sensitive tasks requiring HTTPS. Use a trusted VPN service to encrypt traffic if you must use public hotspots.
Can company firewalls or antivirus cause this error?
Yes, enterprise proxies, firewalls, and antivirus can inspect HTTPS traffic and trigger certificate errors if they are not correctly configured. Check your network settings or contact IT staff to allow and trust the necessary sites.
My browser is up to date – what else can cause this?
Causes include malware, mixed content, expired certificates, invalid certificates, problems with the website’s TLS configuration, and other device, server, and network factors. Try steps like clearing your cache and running an antivirus scan.
What should I check if I’m the site owner?
As the owner, ensure your SSL certificate is valid and installed correctly, enable HTTPS on your server, use HSTS, avoid mixed content, and update any outdated protocols or ciphers. The problem is likely a server misconfiguration rather than an issue on the user end.
How do I prevent these errors in the future?
Always keep your browser, operating system, and security software up to date. After verifying the problem, only proceed through warnings on trusted sites you fully control. Avoid using public Wi-Fi and review connected networks for anything intercepting traffic.
Priya Mervana
Verified Web Security Experts
Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.
