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All of a sudden I am getting a SFC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER message when trying to log onto MSN.com

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

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Got a new laptop, it was working fine, could log into MSN with no problem, then all of a sudden I get the error message shown in the question. All other browsers log in with no problem and on my other HP Laptop Firefox logs into MSN.com with no problem.

Got a new laptop, it was working fine, could log into MSN with no problem, then all of a sudden I get the error message shown in the question. All other browsers log in with no problem and on my other HP Laptop Firefox logs into MSN.com with no problem.

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


  • MOZILLA_PKIX_ERROR_MITM_DETECTED
  • uses an invalid security certificate SSL_ERROR_BAD_CERT_DOMAIN
  • configured their website improperly

How to troubleshoot the error code "SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER" on secure websites https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER

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You can check if there is more detail available about the issuer of the certificate.

  • click the "Advanced" button show more detail
  • click the blue error text (SEC_ERROR_UNKNOWN_ISSUER) to show the certificate chain
  • click "Copy text to clipboard" and paste the base64 certificate chain text in a reply

If clicking the blue error text doesn't provide the certificate chain then try these steps to inspect the certificate.

  • open the Servers tab in the Certificate Manager
    • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
      Certificates: View Certificates -> Servers: "Add Exception"
  • paste the URL of the website (https://xxx.xxx) in it's Location field

Let Firefox retrieve the certificate -> "Get Certificate"

  • click the "View" button and inspect the certificate

You can find detail like the issuer of the certificate and intermediate certificates in the Details tab.