canucksgirl01

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

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Q: FIX for: "Safari can't verify the identity of the website" - certificate not valid

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  • by BBobM,

    BBobM BBobM Jan 13, 2015 2:57 AM in response to canucksgirl01
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 13, 2015 2:57 AM in response to canucksgirl01

    This certificate error problem has just begun happening to me in early 2015, in on many, many webpages across a range of embedded URLs: Facebook, youtube, tumbler, and other less ubiquitous urls.

     

    it is happening under Safari on both my MBP with Mavericks, and my iPad with iOS8

    it is happening in my home as well as outside (in a public location with probably a different ISP than at home)

     

    I have tried many solutions suggested here or on other threads on this topic things:

         cleared various caches

         deleted various plists

         updated and confirmed the sync of the time on my hosts and firewall/router

     

    when I inspect the certificates being flagged, they sometimes are issued by fairly obscure sounding authorities in odd places. I know this doesn't necessarily mean trouble, but a Facebook cert from a xxx.ru issuer ?!? It does make me afraid to just click "always trust".

     

    this is making surfing and internet use really difficult

     

    How do these system root certificates even get into my computer, through Apple Safari updates only? Can a hacker sneak rogue certs in there and then use them to do naughty things?  Can anyone point to some article or help forum which really explains the problem thoroughly and provides a real fix?

  • by sevres-babylone,

    sevres-babylone sevres-babylone Jun 13, 2015 10:42 AM in response to BBobM
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 13, 2015 10:42 AM in response to BBobM

    I had problems starting today.  No solution yet.  My problem started with trying to access itunes, at first "internet radio", then the store.  I get the certificate warning that is being discussed.  I then tried to access this forum from Safari and got the certificate warning there. However, with Firefox I am able to get access.  My date and time is correct.  I verified keychain access.  I'm stumped.

    And I can't access the App store to update either Safari (which I just updated) or iTunes.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Jun 13, 2015 9:18 PM in response to sevres-babylone
    Level 5 (4,791 points)
    Jun 13, 2015 9:18 PM in response to sevres-babylone

    This discussion is almost three years old now and probably involves a completely different version of OS X and Safari. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't anybody else monitoring it any more and I don't really know why I am.

     

    Any time you can't find a solution in an old discussion, start a new one in order to attract new troubleshooters to it.You'll get better help faster that way. It's just how this forum works best.

  • by Bella0406,

    Bella0406 Bella0406 Jan 31, 2016 5:38 PM in response to canucksgirl01
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 31, 2016 5:38 PM in response to canucksgirl01

    Check your date and time, time zone

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