While using a web browser, users may encounter the error “Your connection is not private”. In this post, I will explain why this happens and how you can fix it.
Why does “Your Connection is Not Private” appear?
The “Your Connection is Not Private” error is a common security message that appears when your browser detects an issue with the security of the connection to the website you are trying to visit. Why would it appear to be a completely safe site that should care about privacy, you ask? This error indicates that the browser cannot establish a secure connection due to issues with the website’s SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate.
You may read further about SSL certificates in a dedicated article. But in short, to access a website, the browser must verify the server’s digital certificates. If verification fails, the browser will deny access to the website and display the message “Your connection is not private”. There can be several reasons for this, including:
- Incorrect system date and time
- Expired/misconfigured certificate
- Untrusted Certificate Authority (CA)
- Man-in-the-Middle attack
- Outdated browser
- Network issues
Ways to Fix a “Your Connection is Not Private” Error
Despite the issue looking as something serious and network-related, it is actually rather easy to fix even for beginners. Here, I have gathered solutions that will likely resolve the “Your connection is not private” problem.
Double-Check the URL and Reload the Page
This may seem obvious, but there can be a simple typo in the URL that prevents the website from loading. If everything is correct, try refreshing the page. An unstable connection, connection timeout, or other issues can lead to the error. Nonetheless, they are resolved by a simple page reload.
Check the Time and Date
Many cryptographic protocols, including SSL/TLS, rely on accurate time for validating certificates and other cryptographic operations. Additionally, an SSL certificate has a specific validity period and is issued for a set duration. If the date and time on your computer are significantly different from the real time, the browser may think that the certificate is either not yet valid or has already expired, even if this is not the case.
To set the time on a Windows PC:
Right-click on the clock in the system tray and select “Adjust time and date”.
Check the boxes next to “Time & language” and “Set time zone automatically,” then click “Sync now”.
To set the time on a Mac:
Open System Settings → General → Date & Time.
Ensure the checkbox next to “Set time and date automatically” is enabled.
Use Incognito Mode
Sometimes, cache, cookie data, and browser extensions can malfunction and interfere with page loading. In incognito mode, browsers do not load extensions or use stored cache and cookie data. This helps eliminate conflicts caused by misconfigurations, corrupted data, or conflicts with browser extensions. But when this does not help, the problem may sit deeper in the web browser configuration.
Clear Browser Cache
As mentioned earlier, browsers store information from previously visited websites. While cookies are helpful for personalizing browsing experiences, such as facilitating logins and online purchases, they can pose security risks. Clearing this data ensures operating only with the current information, and also enhances online security. This step is particularly crucial if there were issues due to incorrect settings previously.
If you are using Google Chrome:
Click the hamburger menu icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Scroll down and click on Privacy and security, then click on Clear browsing data.
Select the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files options. Then, click Clear data.
For data removal in Mozilla Firefox, tap the menu button and choose Settings. Choose the Privacy & Security panel and scroll down to the History.
Click the “Clear history…” button. The Clear Data dialog will appear. In the Clear Data dialog, you should select the following options: Cookies and Site Data (to remove login status and site preferences) and Cached Web Content (to remove stored images, scripts, and other cached content). Then, click Clear.
To delete the cache, history, and other browser data from Microsoft Edge, choose Settings and more → Settings → Privacy, search, and services.
Under Clear browsing data > Clear browsing data now, choose Choose what to clear. Under Time range, select a time range from the drop-down menu.
Select the types of browsing data you want to clear (see the table for descriptions). For example, you may want to delete cookies and browsing history but keep passwords and form fill data. Here, click Clear now.
Check Your Browser Extensions
Although extensions are not supposed to run in Incognito mode by default, some might still run. For example, malicious or unwanted extensions may enable the “run in incognito mode” checkbox upon installation. Depending on the results of previous steps, the issue might be resolved or not. If the problem persists, check your browser extensions for any unwanted or outdated ones.
Add “www” to the URL beginning
Sometimes websites have separate SSL certificates for “www” and non-“www” versions. Additionally, some sites are configured to automatically redirect you to the “www” version or vice versa. In any case, by adding the identifier to the URL beginning may fix the issue in some cases.
Update Your Browser and OS
Usually, both the browser and OS update automatically, but sometimes this might not happen. If you are using a Chromium-based browser, open settings and go to the “About” section. The browser will automatically check for updates and offer to install them.
Do the same with your operating system. If you are a Windows user, click Start → Settings.
Click Windows Update → Check for updates.
If you are a macOS user, open System Settings → General → Software Update and follow the instructions.
Check Your Antivirus, Firewall or VPN
In some cases, antimalware programs intercept and inspect HTTPS traffic, inserting their own certificates. This can cause SSL/TLS certificate issues if the antivirus handles them incorrectly. It may also use its own root certificates to verify website security, leading to conflicts and errors if the browser doesn’t trust these certificates.
VPNs, in turn, might route traffic through servers that aren’t trusted, potentially causing the error. Additionally, VPNs may use their own encryption methods and certificates, resulting in conflicts and the aforementioned error. If you are using a VPN, try disabling it and see if the issue is resolved.
Malware Activity Causing Your Connection is Not Private Error
Among the reasons for seeing the Your Connection is Not Private error may be the activity of a spyware in your system. This malware type is capable of different dirty deeds, including SSL certificate hijacking. By injecting a fake certificate during the user’s browsing flow, hackers can further decrypt the traffic and get all the sensitive data.
Modern browsers, on the other hand, are equipped against such attacks. They have a built-in certificate checking system, called exactly to detect any manipulations with SSL certs. And, seeing that spyware has hijacked one, it will simply cut the connection down, so the attack will fail. This, however, does not solve the problem for you personally – the page remains unavailable.
How To Check Your System
Fortunately, this issue can be resolved in a few clicks. You need to scan your device for malware. I recommend using GridinSoft Anti-Malware. It’s an excellent option because, in addition to cleaning up existing threats, it also provides real-time protection for your system.
