Safari/Firefox can't connect to the server

Question

Level 1

5 points

Safari/Firefox can't connect to the server

I am trying to troubleshoot an issue, which prevents a browser (Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera) from accessing a website...given that the same message appears "..can't connect to the server. Can't open the page "http://www.." because ...can't connect to the server", but that neither Macscan nor Sophos have been able to identify any Virus/Mailware/Spyware related issues, is this issue likely to be other than a virus/spyware/mailware.

Mac mini, iOS 5, Mac OS 10.5.8

Posted on Jan 22, 2015 4:07 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,569 points

Jan 22, 2015 4:10 AM in response to Prometheus02

Do you still have OSX 10.5.8?

Do any internet apps connect to internet?

Are you connected via wifi or ethernet?

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jan 22, 2015 4:32 AM in response to Prometheus02

What site is this that isn't working? Or do you mean that you are unable to connect to any sites at all?

Note that MacScan is worthless. Due to an extremely flawed method of detecting malware (relying entirely on the creation and modification dates on files), it often won't even detect the things that it says it should detect. And what it does detect is extremely limited and incomplete. Uninstall it. The anti-malware features of Mac OS X protect you far better than MacScan right out of the box.

Also, try disabling or uninstalling Sophos and see if the problem goes away.

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Answer 3

Prometheus02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 9:51 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for the reply.

Internet access is working... except for some sites, including "discussions.Apple.com" and "channel 4.com",amongst others, the "Safari Can't connect the server" ... "can't open the page http:// .... because Safari can't connect to the server". However, some sites can be accessed across all browsers, and there does not seem to be any logic. However, the sites can be accessed through the use of an anonymous proxy.

The problem arose before I installed MacScan and Sophos as a means of rectifying the problem.

Other remedies I have attempted have involving reloading the webpage, clearing the browser cache and cookies, and have even tried to flush the network routing map.

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Answer 4

Prometheus02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 9:52 AM in response to lllaass

...connected via wifi.

I have also tried to reset the router to machine settings.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,569 points

Jan 22, 2015 10:04 AM in response to Prometheus02

I would reset your hosts files to defaults since yo may have picked up something that changed it

Fixing a hacked /etc/hosts file

Also, go to Network Preferences>The connected network>Advanced>DNS and use Googles, DNS server 8.8.8.8.

Do other devices connected to the same network have a problem? I ask since maybe your router got hacked.

http://www.thesafemac.com/how-to-manage-a-hacked-wireless-router/

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Answer 6

Prometheus02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 10:27 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks for the reply. Other devices on the Home Network do not have the same problem, hence whatever happened is solely restricted to one system.

Although the DNS Server is 8.8.4.4 (not 8.8.8.8), I will investigate resetting the hosts files to defaults.

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Answer 7

Prometheus02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 10:50 AM in response to lllaass

I have checked the Hosts Files, accessed via the Terminal and the command sudo nano /private/etc/hosts, and the hosts file appears to be consistent with the default setting.

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Answer 8

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Jan 22, 2015 12:17 PM in response to Prometheus02

Download EtreCheck and post the report that it generates here. That will give us more information about what's going on with your system.

http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck

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Answer 9

Prometheus02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jan 22, 2015 12:47 PM in response to thomas_r.

Thanks for the link...etreCheck would offer a useful facility. Unfortunately, the current version 2.1.6 and earliest version (vs 1.5) are too advanced for Mac OS X 10.5.8.

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Answer 10

Jul 11, 2016 3:24 PM in response to Prometheus02

I have the same issue. I have read through this post and have been able to run the EtreCheck. I have a report if that helps thankyou

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