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Firefox refuses to let me access a gov.uk website

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  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I have been using the website URL: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ for several years.

I just got a new computer and downloaded Firefox to use as my preferred browser, but when I attempt to open the above website, I get the message Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead

I cannot find any workaround which will let me access this site. I am NOT concerned about the site security as it is a UK GOV website. Microsoft Edge will open the website without any issue, why won't Firefox?

How do I get routine access to it through Firefox?

I have been using the website URL: https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/ for several years. I just got a new computer and downloaded Firefox to use as my preferred browser, but when I attempt to open the above website, I get the message '''''Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead''''' I cannot find any workaround which will let me access this site. I am NOT concerned about the site security as it is a UK GOV website. Microsoft Edge will open the website without any issue, why won't Firefox? How do I get routine access to it through Firefox?

All Replies (2)

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There is security software like Avast, Kaspersky, BitDefender and ESET that intercept secure connection certificates and send their own.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-cant-load-websites-other-browsers-can

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-and-other-browsers-cant-load-websites

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/secure-connection-failed-error-message

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/connection-untrusted-error-message

Websites don't load - troubleshoot and fix error messages

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites

What do the security warning codes mean

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The www.gro.gov.uk server doesn't send required intermediate certificates that Firefox needs to build a certificate chain that ends in a trusted root certificate.

Current Firefox releases can automatically download all intermediate certificates to have them available in case the server doesn't send them. It can however take time to download the full package, so in case you started using Firefox recently this certificate might not yet be available.

You can check details about the issuer of the certificate and the certificate chain.

  • click the "Advanced" button on the error page to show more detail
  • click the blue "View Certificate" text to inspect the certificate chain in the Certificate Viewer

Scroll down to the "Authority Info (AIA)" section and under Location double-click the xxx.crt link to download the missing intermediate certificate.

You can install this certificate in the Certificate Manager under Authorities.

  • do NOT set trust bits when prompted, but click the OK button
  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Certificates: View Certificates