Safari denying access to web-based email

Question

Level 1

4 points

Safari denying access to web-based email

Since yesterday, Safari (5.0.2) has denied me access to login to my school's Google Apps web-based email client. When click the link to login, I get a message saying "Message did not meet security requirements." I called my school to inquire, and they said that the server was fine and they did not know what could be the causing the problem. Interestingly enough, I can login using Firefox on my computer, as well as using Safari on another computer. The problem seems to be with Safari on MY computer. Since then, I have:
-Reset Safari (cache, history, cookies, etc.)
-Repaired permissions on my Mac (using both Disk Utility and Onyx).
-Reinstalled Safari (uninstalled using App Cleaner).
-Replaced the preference file.
-Disabled LIttle Snitch's network filter.
Still, I am essentially locked out of logging in the email client. Any ideas?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-P.

MacBook Pro 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 21, 2010 9:06 AM

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Answer 1

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 9:50 AM in response to PaBRO

Hi

does another User Account on the same mac show the same problems?

The other Safari was on a mac?

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Answer 2

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 10:18 AM in response to andyBall_uk

I really don't want to create another user on my computer. And yes, the other Safari was on a Mac. I am now on a different wireless network, and the problem persists.

-P.

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Answer 3

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 11:30 AM in response to PaBRO

sure, your choice.

a new account takes moments to create & almost no drive space (unless you use it & put music & photos inside) & is even quicker to remove.
It's useful, since there are a whole bunch of preferences & files within an account, which if a new one shows the same problem, we can completely ignore, saving you time.

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Answer 4

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 11:44 AM in response to andyBall_uk

I actually decided to take your advice. I created a new account and was able to login to the email server using the new account. Upon further inspection, it seems as though Safari on the problematic account is no longer recognizing that particular website as secure, and thus will not allow me to login. Is there any way I can reinstall all components of Safari without doing a complete OSX reinstall?

-P.

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Answer 5

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 12:44 PM in response to PaBRO

Hi

first thought would have been cookies, since it's browser-based - but you cleared those... I think I might quit Safari & trash Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist anyway, just in case
also Safari's cache:
Home/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Cache.db

and local storage:
+Home/Library/Safari/LocalStorage/

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Answer 6

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 12:51 PM in response to andyBall_uk

I just did all of that, and the problem persists. When deleting local storage, do you delete the contents of the folder, or the entire folder itself?

-P.

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Answer 7

Oct 21, 2010 1:04 PM in response to PaBRO

Hi...

Just in case...

From your Safari menu bar click Safari / Preferences then select the Advanced tab. Click: *Change Settings* next to: Proxies. That will prompt the System Preferences / Network pane.

On the left where you see: Select a protocol to configure.

If any of those boxes are selected, deselect the box. Restart your Mac. Try accessing the email client now.

If proxies aren't the issue, when you try accessing the site for email, If you see a small gray lock icon top right corner of the Safari window, click on that once. A security certificate will open. It should say that it's valid.

If not, open Keychain Access (Applications / Utilities). Select My Certificates on the left under Category. Right or control click that certificate then click Get Info. In the next window click the gray disclosure triangle next to: Trust. Click the first pop up menu. Select: Always Trust.

Relaunch Safari and try logging in to your email client again.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 8

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 1:03 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Hi Carolyn,

I just tried that, and noticed that I had none of the items selected.
Even the IT people here are baffled!

-P.

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Answer 9

Oct 21, 2010 1:05 PM in response to PaBRO

Ok... we cross posted. Try my suggestion for the certificate. No guarantee, but it's worth a try.

🙂

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Answer 10

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 1:05 PM in response to PaBRO

The whole folder, unless trying to keep some info.

is it autofilling any info there for you? (look in Safari-Prefs-Autofill & check/delete with the edit buttons)

any entries for the site in Keychain Access ? (it's in /Applications/Utilities/)

Is this just a straight-up web access email? - not using any google software on your mac?

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Answer 11

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 2:03 PM in response to andyBall_uk

You hadn't changed cookies settings to 'from this site only' ?

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Answer 12

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 3:27 PM in response to andyBall_uk

@andyBall_UK: I deleted the folder, and had not changed any of the cookie settings, and still no luck.

@Carolyn: I think I may be narrowing down on the issue: the web-based email client is normally a secure site (the lock icon appears in the top-right). For whatever reason, that lock no longer appears (I may have accidentally denied access somehow). When I go into the section you directed me to in Keychain Access, there are no certificates to be found. Safari is no longer recognizing the site as secure, probably because there's no certificate to verify it. What should I do from here?

Thanks everyone for all your help!

-Pablo

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Answer 13

Oct 21, 2010 4:04 PM in response to PaBRO

HI,

Contact the network administrator at your school.

🙂

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Answer 14

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Oct 21, 2010 4:13 PM in response to PaBRO

Same exact url - one has the lock, one not - in the two accounts?

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Answer 15

PaBRO Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2010 4:32 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Now that I think of it, the lock may only appear when I am prompted to input my username and password. However, I can't even get to that step. I'll contact the administrator at my school.

-P.

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