I receive "Safari can't establish a secure connection to the server." or "Safari can't open the page" on all Google URLs.

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Level 1

9 points

I receive "Safari can't establish a secure connection to the server." or "Safari can't open the page" on all Google URLs.

This issue is network independent. Multiple networks resolve to the same issue on my laptop.
This issue is Safari dependent. Chrome and Firefox on same machine and account do not show issue.
I can't think of anything that precipitated the issue. i.e. Any system changes other than an Apple security update that has changed on my system since it started a week ago.
I have since deleted all extensions.
Develop>Empty Caches
Preferences>Privacy>Manage Website Data and removed all data
I have deleted all Safari preference files in both ~/Library/Preferences/ and ~/Library/Safari/

The issue still persists.

What else should I be looking at?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3), 2.8Ghz Quad i7, 16Gb RAM, 1Tb SSD

Posted on Jan 29, 2018 4:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Jan 30, 2018 11:58 AM in response to Escaport

Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

If the problem is still there, try booting into the Safe Mode using your normal account. Disconnect all peripherals except those needed for the test. Shut down the computer and then power it back up after waiting 10 seconds. Immediately after hearing the startup chime, hold down the shift key and continue to hold it until the gray Apple icon and a progress bar appear. The boot up is significantly slower than normal. This will reset some caches, forces a directory check, and disables all startup and login items, among other things. When you reboot normally, the initial reboot may be slower than normal. If the system operates normally, there may be 3rd party applications which are causing a problem. Try deleting/disabling the third party applications after a restart by using the application un-installer or by using the developer’s uninstall instructions. For each disable/delete, you will need to restart if you don't do them all at once.

Safe Mode - About El Capitan
also Sierra

Safe Mode Startup – El Capitan. also Sierra

If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. On the screen with Options, please open Options and check the bottom 2 boxes before running. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown.

Etrecheck – System Information

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Answer 2

Escaport Author

Level 1

9 points

Jan 30, 2018 11:53 AM in response to Eric Root

Ok, so here is what the troubleshooting you suggested revealed and what the issue was.

Second user account - issue not present, issue account based.
Safe Mode, issue not present, issue due to 3rd party app.
Stepping through various apps, it turned out that even after using Little Snitch for years I can still make a rule mistake. Apparently a new connection was made via Safari to a google URL and I denied the request.

Thanks for the help!

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Jan 30, 2018 11:58 AM in response to Escaport

You are welcome. Glad to help.

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I receive "Safari can't establish a secure connection to the server." or "Safari can't open the page" on all Google URLs.

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