Getting "SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER" error when trying to register on guest networks
When using guest networks such as at hotels or businesses, am having problems. Typically these sites redirect your first browser request to their registration page. However, if the initial request is to a secure site such as Google, Firefox generates a SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER" error with no opportunity to add an exception.
Chosen solution
Try entering a short address you don't normally visit like cnn.com, abc.com, nbc.com -- anything that Firefox doesn't have in cache. That should force Firefox to query the hotspot and trigger the authentication page.
If it still tries to bypass, check whether you have Firefox set to use a proxy server and switch that off temporarily. You can do that on the Options page:
"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
In the left column, click Advanced. On the right side, click the "Network" mini-tab and then the "Settings" button.
The default of "Use system proxy settings" piggybacks on your Windows LAN connection settings, but you could try "No proxy" to see whether that helps.
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There is security software like Avast, Kaspersky, BitDefender and ESET that intercept secure connections and send their own certificate.
http://www.ehow.com/how_11385212_troubleshoot-reset-connection-firefox.html
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/server-not-found-connection-problem
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
http://kb.mozillazine.org/Error_loading_websites
https://www.bing.com/search?q=web+site+access+denied
- ESET
https://support.mozilla.org/kb/troubleshoot-SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER
This Connection is Untrusted is sometimes caused because the computer system clock is wrong. Check the time / date / time zone settings.
Suluhisho teule
Try entering a short address you don't normally visit like cnn.com, abc.com, nbc.com -- anything that Firefox doesn't have in cache. That should force Firefox to query the hotspot and trigger the authentication page.
If it still tries to bypass, check whether you have Firefox set to use a proxy server and switch that off temporarily. You can do that on the Options page:
"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options
In the left column, click Advanced. On the right side, click the "Network" mini-tab and then the "Settings" button.
The default of "Use system proxy settings" piggybacks on your Windows LAN connection settings, but you could try "No proxy" to see whether that helps.
That works, as long as the target site does not use https protocol. The issue appears to be that when the target uses https, the redirect does not return the expected certificate, ergo the error.
FermentorDr said
That works, as long as the target site does not use https protocol.
To resolve the HTTPS problem, you can either enter a site that NEVER uses HTTPS, or a new site that Firefox will just assume is HTTP since it doesn't yet know any better.
I find it best to just type something short because if I choose something cached, Firefox may not even hit the hotspot and then I have to reload or try a different site.