Q: safari can't establish a secure connection

Big McAl wrote:

 

Thanks Eric, but none of the suggestions in the links worked for me.

 

I should also add that exactly the same thing is happening in Firefox, with the message "Secure connection failed".

If you're using a third party Anti-Virus program, turn off any sort of Web Shielding in the settings and you should be good to go. If you'd rather not keep the setting off then you can set up a list in your AV programs preferences to disregard certain websites (i.e. the sites that give the 'secure connection' message) in the future so you can still browse and be protected on sites you don't know.

I ended up just removing the AV portion of Avast all together and putting my computer in the hands of The Gatekeeper. I now only use Avast's VPN Network when I need it

I experienced exactly the same problem as Big McAI overnight... two macs can't access google through Safari or Firefox through my home wifi. Can get to most other things on the net fine (except things like iTunes store, which now has the same problem).  My phone can't get to google via wifi either but can when using cellphone towers.

So, the problem would seem to be with my modem / router.  I'm not sure why though, I've changed nothing at all between going to bed and waking up with nothing working, and don't have any third-party add-ons / anti-virus programs or the like.  I've restarted everything, including the modem and router - no change.

Can't find any help on the web - any assistance would be appreciated.

a quick update:

Problem's still not solved, but I've established it's only confined to google.com sites (google, maps, youtube etc).  iTunes is actually working fine. 

I've also taken my router (airport extreme) out of the loop, so wired connection to modem now - same problem.  Thinking about upgrading the modem in case that's the problem.

Any ideas?

Final update: my problem's solved.

In this particular case it turned out to be an issue with my (Australian) ISP relating to google access from Apple devices http://www.iinet.net.au/status/fault.php?id=4352567.  They gave me some alternate DNS addresses to use as a workaround, that solved my problem.

Thanks Chris, that's useful info and what I thought could pretty much be the problem. I'm not running any anti-virus software and, in any case, all the workarounds described here relate to a single computer (thanks, anyway, for the suggestions), whereas this problem affected ALL my desktop computers (not iPhones or iPads though, bizarrely). So, last night I shut everything down, rebooted the router (for the nth time) and, presto, this morning all was fine. Whether that meant my ISP had recognised the problem and fixed it, I'll never know because I've no need now to call them.

FWIW though, a while ago I had a similar – though not the same – problem, and the solution was to add Google's own DNS, which is 8.8.8.8.

I use Sophos and This solved the problem immediately - thank you so much!

This has been annoying me for weeks!

My business partner was experiencing the same issue from home on a MacBook Pro and iMac on a wireless network - she could not access any google sites or services (google.com, gMail, Google Drive, youtube, etc.). Both machines were running 10.9.5 and upgrading to 10.10 solved the problem. Here is a list of things we tried first which did NOT work:

- added dns 8.8.8.8

- software/security updates (without updating from 10.9 to 10.10)

- turn off extensions in safari

- delete google cookies in safari

- install chrome and firefox; problem was consistent across all browsers

- repair permissions

- boot as a new, different user

- boot into safe mode

- remove startup items

- reset router

- update router firmware

If this is happening on more than one computer, it indicates that the problem lies with either your router or ISP, thus rendering any changes you make to a single computer ineffective. When you added the 8.8.8.8 DNS, did you add it to your router settings or to the network settings on your computer? (should be your router). I can't guarantee that it will work, but it has done for me in the past. Otherwise, I suggest you try calling your ISP and asking them for some additional DNS addresses.

I'm in the same boat.

I've tried deleting cache and cookies, but it did't work for me.

After surfing some websites, I found some tips that worked for me.

Go to System Preferences,choose network

Click "advanced", go to the "Hardware" tab, and click on "configure", choose "manually"

Click on mtu, change it to "custom" and set the mtu number to 1453 (I dont why but the number is something like a networking secret from ancient times)

regards,

<Link Edited by Host>

The problem is with your certificates. Read the solution here: http://drkoch.dk/how-to-fix-safari-cant-open-the-page-because-safari-cant-establ ish-a-secure-connection/

Thank you so much!!!!

Amen to this! Spent a week trying to figure out why I could only load certain pages but not others (duckduckgo but not google, no gmail or yahoo mail, etc) and finally ran across this post. I installed Avast a while ago and forgot about it, and for some reason it recently started messing with my internet. Turned off the web shield and now everything works as expected!

I review the whole post on this subject. Nothing helped. :-(

"Can not connect to the server" message on each browser including Approte :-(

Mac Pro just upgraded to ElCapitan :-( as a result few apps do not work (VMWare, Apperture ... as most important to me)

I tried to get update for Apperture and .. failed. Appstore can not connect to the server. None of the browser can nonnect using SSL.

Basically dead in the water.

I had Norton Security installed - removed the whole application. - no help

I do not have any other AV software. I am going crazy here.

btw. the same network settings are on my laptop MacBookpro and there is no problem at all.

Please help

Greg

I was experiencing the same problem.  FB would open once every several attempts.  Gmail also.  After reading through the thread, I checked AVAST settings.  IPV6 was checked.  I unchecked it and everything seems to be working ok...

The real issue, is that Apple is not updating Safari's security protocols to interface with websites that are enhancing their own.  That's and understatement:  the last time I received a Safari update was in August 2014.  When I get the message on my desktop that a secure connection can't be established, I go to my tablet and guess what, I have a secure connection.  If Apple were as diligent about keeping desktop users software up to date as they are developing new operating systems, there wouldn't be a problem, but, there's no money in it for them to  upgrade my Safari 6.1.6 running 10.7.5.