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I am trying to access an application on the government VA website and it is saying the connection is untrusted and won't let me continue, how do I make it?

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  • Last reply by droc217

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I have had this problem before on VA websites. How can Firefox not trust a US government site? It says the connection is untrusted and won't let me continue. How do I make Firefox let me continue?

I have had this problem before on VA websites. How can Firefox not trust a US government site? It says the connection is untrusted and won't let me continue. How do I make Firefox let me continue?

Chosen solution

That page opens another page in a frame. In such a case you can't make an exception.

That server doesn't send a certificate chain that ends with a built-in root certificate.

You can open that page in a tab to make it possible to create an exception if you really need to access the website. Note that storing a permanent exception is not recommended.


Open this chrome URI by pasting or typing this URI in the location/address bar to open the "Add Security Exception" window and check the certificate:

  • chrome://pippki/content/exceptionDialog.xul

In the location field type/paste the URL of the website

  • retrieve the certificate via the "Get certificate" button
  • inspect the certificate via the "View..." button
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Thanks Fred, but I did what they suggested and checked my time, neither worked :(

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Can you post a link? Who is the issuer of the certificate? --- You can retrieve the certificate and check details like who issued certificates and expiration dates of certificates.

  • Click the link at the bottom of the error page: "I Understand the Risks"
  • Let Firefox retrieve the certificate: "Add Exception" -> "Get Certificate"
  • Click the "View" button and inspect the certificate and check who is the issuer.

You can see more details like the intermediate certificates that are used in the Details tab.

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here's the page: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vonapp

This is all I see, no link at the bottom of the page

This Connection is Untrusted

You have asked Firefox to connect securely to vabenefits.vba.va.gov, but we can't confirm that your connection is secure.

Normally, when you try to connect securely, sites will present trusted identification to prove that you are going to the right place. However, this site's identity can't be verified. What Should I Do?

If you usually connect to this site without problems, this error could mean that someone is trying to impersonate the site, and you shouldn't continue.

Get me out of here! (link)

Technical Details

vabenefits.vba.va.gov uses an invalid security certificate. The certificate is not trusted because no issuer chain was provided. (Error code: sec_error_unknown_issuer)

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Chosen Solution

That page opens another page in a frame. In such a case you can't make an exception.

That server doesn't send a certificate chain that ends with a built-in root certificate.

You can open that page in a tab to make it possible to create an exception if you really need to access the website. Note that storing a permanent exception is not recommended.


Open this chrome URI by pasting or typing this URI in the location/address bar to open the "Add Security Exception" window and check the certificate:

  • chrome://pippki/content/exceptionDialog.xul

In the location field type/paste the URL of the website

  • retrieve the certificate via the "Get certificate" button
  • inspect the certificate via the "View..." button
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Opening in a new tab let me create and exception, thanks!