Are you searching for solutions on “How to fix website not secure error?” Well, then you have just landed on the right page.
Have you ever been in this situation, where you have typed in a URL of a website, or randomly clicked on one through the Google search and got a “Website not secure” error?
Well, if you have, then I must tell you that you were about to enter an unsafe website, which was luckily blocked by your browser.
Now you will ask me, what is an unsafe website?
Well, to answer that, today if someone is running a website,
Then he/she needs to install an SSL certificate on it mandatorily for the user’s safety and security.
But, if he/she doesn’t, then such a website is prone to various cyber security threats, and hence, gets tagged as an “Unsafe Website.”
Although, there have been instances, where the problem was not with the website, but with the browser, which demanded immediate attention.
So, if you are facing the same problem, then don’t worry, and follow the article till the end.
Contents
How to fix a website not secure error?
So, if you are trying to access a website and are notified by a “Website not secure” error on your browser,
Then you can easily rectify it by following these simple solutions.
- Fix the date and time of your device.
- Clear the History and Cache Data.
- Manually install missing certificates.
- Disable the certificate address mismatch option.
1. Fix the date and time of your device 🕒
As mentioned earlier, website security certificates are a crucial digital tool that helps a browser differentiate between a secure and an insecure website.
These certificates are downloaded by our browsers on the very first visit to the website,
That in turn helps a user in accessing the website in an easy and fast manner.
Further mentioning, these certificates are valid for only a limited period of time, otherwise SSL certificate may Expire.
i.e., 1 to 3 years. So, in order to maintain trust, an owner needs to renew them regularly.
But sometimes our web browser misinterprets it,
Because of the incorrect date and time of our PC, and as a result, can show you this error.
Therefore, it is recommended to verify the date and time, and if it is a mess, then fix it by following these simple steps:
💻 For Windows:
- Right-click on the date and time.
- Select “Adjust Date/Time.”
- Turn on the “Set time automatically” and “Adjust for daylight saving time” options.
- Then, select the correct “Time Zone.”
- You can also manage the date and time manually by turning off the “Set time automatically” option, and then selecting “Change” to change the date and time.
- After that, Set the correct date and time.
- Lastly, select “Change” to save the changes.
🍏 For Mac:
- Select the time display in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Verify that the date and time are correct.
- If it is not, then select the time display.
- After that, open “Date and time preferences.”
- Select the “Lock” located at the left corner of the screen to make changes.
- Now, enter your username and password to unlock it.
- Then, you can either opt for a manual or automatic fix.
- So, in order to let Mac, fix the date and time automatically, just select the “Set date and time automatically” option, and then choose your correct time server.
- Or else, you can set it manually by unselecting the “Set date and time automatically” option, and then selecting the correct date & time.
- After that, press “Save.”
- Lastly, select the correct “Time Zone” and done.
2. Clear History and Cache Data 🌀
If fixing the time and date has not helped you in any way, then you can try clearing your browsing history and cache data.
To explain it simply, whenever we visit a website on our browser for the first time, it stores some part of its cache and history,
So that a user can easily access the website in the future.
Moreover, the stored cache makes it easy for the browser to load the website in a snappier way.
Although, many a time web browsers are unable to upgrade to the latest cache and history of the website,
Thus causing this error,
And this is why a user can try clearing the cache and history by navigating to the browser settings.
Want some assistance on this procedure?
Then follow this tutorial that is mentioned below.
- Open your browser.
- Then, click on “Settings.”
- Now, click on “Privacy and Security.”
- After that, click on “Clear Browsing Data.”
- Then, navigate to the “Advanced” section.
- Next, click on “Clear data.”
- A confirmation window will pop up.
- Lastly, click on “Clear.”
3. Manually install missing certificates 🙌
Now, if clearing the history and cache part did not work for you (which happens rarely),
Then you can try adding website certificates to your browser manually.
But I should clearly warn you that adding the certificates of a strange and suspicious website may cause more harm than good.
Where to find SSL certificates? Let’s continue
So, if you are ready to take the blind fall, then you can proceed with the following steps:
- Type in the URL of the website, or do a quick Google search and access the website.
- Now, when the “Website not secure” message pops up, then click on the “Continue to this website” option, which is located at the bottom of the message.
- Click on “More Information” to access the “Certificate Error” option which is next to the red “Address Bar.”
- Then, click on “View Certificates” in the information window.
- After that, select “Install Certificates” and then follow the instructions accordingly.
- Lastly, select “Yes” to proceed.
4. Disable the certificate address mismatch option 𐄂
Lastly, you can try disabling the certificate address mismatch option.
Now, if you have no clue what is a “Certificate Address Mismatch” option, then let me explain.
A Certificate address mismatch is a built-in feature that blocks a website when there is a common mismatch in the URL of a website to which the SSL certificate is issued.
For instance, if you are visiting https://xyz.com instead of https://www.xyz.com,
Then it can cause a mismatch and throw you this certificate mismatch error.
So, to tackle it, you can try disabling the feature by following these steps:
- Go to the “Control Panel.”
- Then, open “Internet Options.”
- After that, click on the “Advanced tab” that is located at the top.
- Now, scroll down to the “Security” section.
- Then, navigate to the “Warn about certificate address mismatch” option.
- “Uncheck” the box beside it, if it is “checked.”
- Lastly, click “Apply” and then “OK” to save changes.
Tried everything that is mentioned above, but still no luck?
Well, I have to say this but you can’t do anything,
Because probably the problem is with the website itself. So, just wait for the owner to solve the issue.
🔐 Benefits of SSL certificate
Now that we have discussed this topic from a user point of view,
We shall move forward and see what are the main benefits of implementing an SSL certificate on a website if you are an owner.
✅ Builds trust and reputation
Implementing an SSL certificate on your website helps in gaining the trust of the visitors.
No user at this point will opt to visit a non-SSL website.
Plus, if you are aiming to build a good reputation among your customers,
Then an SSL certificate is the go-to security tool for you.
If you are thinking that an SSL certificate only helps in providing security to the users,
Then my friend, you have surely mistaken its capabilities.
It is proven that an SSL certificate-equipped website gains search engine authority much faster than the non-SSL ones.
Moreover, it tells Google that you are not a noob, but are in for serious business.
⛑ Provides safety to the users
If you are running a website where users may have to provide their personal information in order to use the service,
Say to purchase something, then installing an SSL certificate on it can be really helpful in providing a safe browsing experience.
An SSL certificate-equipped website can save your website from cyber-attacks like phishing or a Man-in-the-middle attack.
📈 Helps in improving the conversion rate
Yes, if you are running an e-commerce business website,
Then implementing an SSL certificate can help in improving the conversion rates,
As more users will trust the website and purchase things.
🛡 Eliminates the fuss of security cleaning
Lastly, an SSL certificate can guard you against virus attacks which also eliminates the mess of those expensive security cleanups that can take up more of your precious time.
Final Remarks on “How to fix website not secure error?”
An SSL certificate is an integral part of a website that helps in securing it from attacks like phishing and Man-in-the-middle attacks.
But, if you are someone who is getting the “Website not secure” error while accessing the website on your browser,
Even if you know that it is SSL equipped, then I recommend you follow this guide and try out the solutions that are provided with it.
