What to Do When You See ‘Your Connection Is Not Private’

Have you ever encountered a 'Your Connection Is Not Private' notification while browsing the web?

This warning, which is frequently displayed in Chrome and other web browsers, indicates that a website's security certificate may be in trouble. It alerts you that your connection is insecure and your data is at risk.

With global cybercrime costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, robust cybersecurity has never been more critical. Understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities is essential for website visitors and owners.

In this guide, we'll explain the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' error and explore effective solutions to fix it.

Understanding the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' Error

Secure Sockets Layer or Transport Layer Security certificates encrypt data between your browser and the website. As a result, secure communication is made easier.

Browsers will display the 'Your connection is not private' error if you visit a website with an SSL/TLS certificate that is either invalid, expired or malfunctioning. The NET::ERR_CERT_AUTHORITY_INVALID error is displayed in the fault message.

Without encryption, sensitive information and personally identifiable data become easily accessible to malicious agents.

Common Causes of Your Connection Is Not Private Error

The most common causes for getting a 'Your Connection Is Not Private' error are:

1. Public Wi-Fi Networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are insecure in shopping malls, hotels, airports, and cafes. Man-in-the-middle attacks, in which the hacker intercepts communication with the website viewed, can affect them.

Cyberattacks have increased dramatically since the COVID-19 outbreak, with around 4,000 new assaults daily. Ransomware also affects a business every 14 seconds, posing a serious financial danger. A 'Your Connection Is Not Private' error may appear in your browser when you use public Wi-Fi as a security measure.

2. Improper SSL Certificate Installation

SSL certificates are critical for protecting data passing between a site and its clients. Look for situations when:

• SSL certificate is not installed or set up properly
• The certificate isn't linked with the right domain name
• The intermediate certificates are absent.
• They are outdated, invalid, or if the certificate chain is interrupted

Such scenarios depict an insecure connection, and the browser will notify you with the Your Connection Is Not Private error.

3. Browser Problems

Old browsers, damaged cache files, and incompatible extensions can result in the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' error. Here are some reasons:

• An outdated browser may not support newer SSL/TLS protocols.
• Caches and cookies may contain old security information, which makes the browser invalidate a site's certificate.
• Some privacy, security, or ad-blocking browser extensions may disrupt SSL verification.

4. Malware

Malware or malicious software on your system may also lead to SSL errors. Some malware manipulates or intercepts the SSL handshake process. This may also happen if a Man-in-the-middle attack hacks a system.

5. Change DNS Servers

Domain Name System servers convert website names into IP addresses. If your DNS is incorrect or has been modified, it might result in SSL errors.

6. Compromised Servers

In case of compromised server hosting for the website, the SSL/TLS certificate can be revoked. Hackers can replace the certificate or divert traffic to malware sites.

7. Misconfigured System Time and Date

SSL certificates rely on system time configuration to determine whether they are valid. If your device's time and date are set incorrectly, SSL certificates might seem invalid.

How to Correct the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' Error

Both website owners and visitors can take steps to resolve this issue. Here's how:

For Website Owners:

• Update Your SSL/TLS Certificate: Ensure it is valid, properly installed, and up to date.
• Enforce HTTPS: Redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS using 301 redirects.
• Verify SSL Configuration: Double-check that the certificate is correctly linked to your domain and subdomains.
• Regular Maintenance: Periodically diagnose and fix misconfigurations to prevent errors.

For Website Visitors:

• Refresh the Page: A temporary glitch may be causing the error.
• Check System Date and Time: Incorrect settings can cause SSL certificate issues.
• Update your Browser: Older versions may not support newer encryption protocols.
• Try incognito Mode: This disables extensions and cached data, which may be causing the issue.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: Corrupted data can interfere with SSL verification.
• Disable Browser Extensions: Some security or privacy extensions may block SSL validation.
• Switch Networks: Public Wi-Fi or misconfigured networks can trigger this error; try using mobile data instead.
• Update Your Operating System: Security patches can resolve SSL-related vulnerabilities.

How to Bypass This Error?

While it is not recommended to bypass or ignore the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' error since some risks are involved, you can bypass it in certain situations if the site is secure.

To maintain your online safety and privacy intact, follow these steps to secure your information:

1. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

Use complicated passwords containing capital and lowercase letters, digits, and symbols rather than simple or weak ones. An additional degree of protection is provided by two-factor authentication.

According to research, MFA is absent from more than 99.9% of compromised accounts. As a result, websites are vulnerable to password reuse and phishing.

2. Install Privacy Extensions

Privacy extensions enhance your protection and keep your internet privacy intact as you browse online.

Some extensions force sites to use the HTTPS connection regardless of whether you click on a page using HTTP or HTTPS. Other extensions prevent trackers from monitoring and extracting your information on pages.

3. Update Your Software

Ensure that you update the operating system, web browser, and any other software you use. Many updates are constantly released to safeguard you from cyber vulnerability.

4. Use a Reliable VPN

A Virtual Private Network encrypts your web traffic. Your VPN must be trustworthy and use military-level encryption to protect your data.

5. Always Look for HTTPS

Verify that the website is using HTTPS before entering any critical information. The website's SSL/TLS certificate is indicated by the padlock icon next to the URL and the letter S in HTTPS, which stands for "Secure."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure that you don't get the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' message, avoid these common mistakes:

• Ignoring Security Warnings: Proceeding to a website without verifying the issue can expose your data to cyber threats.
• Overlooking SSL Certificate Issues: Failing to check why a certificate is invalid can lead to security vulnerabilities.
• Not Verifying SSL Authenticity: Make sure the websites you visit use a valid SSL/TLS certificate.
• Using Outdated Browsers or Operating Systems: Older software may lack support for the latest encryption protocols.
• Clicking on Suspicious Links: Avoid unknown or untrusted websites, which may pose security risks.

To Wrap Up

Although resolving the 'Your Connection Is Not Private' issue can be daunting, protecting your private data and browsing experience is essential. By using the solutions in this article, you, as the website owner or user, will be able to browse more securely.

Protecting your website from security flaws ought to be your first concern as a business owner.

To guarantee that your website stays safe, usable, and resistant to online attacks, Vodien offers enterprise-class hosting services, SSL certificate management, and disaster recovery solutions.

Don't leave your website's security up to chance; contact us for scalable, high-performing security solutions that will safeguard your company!