Q: FIX for: "Safari can't verify the identity of the website" - certificate not valid
If you are getting a message like this:
Safari can't verify the identity of the website "static.ak.facebook.com" (or ANY other address)
This certificate is not valid (host name mismatch)
There is an EASY FIX for this...
Go to:
/Applications/Utilities/KeyChain Access
Select "KeyChain First Aid" from "KeyChain Access" (menu choice)
Make sure the radio button for "Verify" is selected, and then click the "Start" button.
Once completed, it will tell you if any problems were found just above "Verification Completed".
(In my case "no problems found").
It is not necessary to perform a "repair" if no problems were found.
If problems were found, follow up the verification process with the "repair" process.
FYI: "KeyChain Access" stores info for Certificates. If a "mismatch" occurs, or a certificate is deamed "invalid" you get a warning. (This is part of your security). Performing "KeyChain First Aid" will verify ALL certificates and correct any "mismatching" by updating the certificate OR will tell you there was a problem (ie. a website using a fake certificate), in which case you need to follow through with "repair" and if necessary, not use the problematic website. BUT, in most cases, this message is NOT about anything malicious, its just part of the security settings that are trying to ensure ALL certificates associated to ANY website is correct, and since certificates expire and/or get updated, these conflicts can occur.
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8), White, Model A1342
Posted on Oct 24, 2012 1:31 AM
Here is the LATEST UPDATE:
The Akamai Network (the hosting service for many websites like Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter) which uses the a248.e.akamai.net URL (in this case for Facebook), has FINALLY become aware of this issue and is pushing out the fix as I type...
For everyone who was able to go through the KeyChain First Aid process (described above in the start of this thread) has been able to correct the problem already. For everyone else, the "fix" may take some time to populate over ALL the websites that are affected (i.e. millions...) so, you may have to be patient. I don't have specific help available for all iOS devices, but the update from Akamai will correct this problem.
*** Just be aware that websites have different schedules for when they push out updates. Some do this once a day, but others can do this as infrequently as once a week (depends on the website you're having trouble with).
Posted on Oct 24, 2012 2:04 PM