The last part of the error message tells where the problem is.

If I try to open that server in a tab in Firefox, I see this in the Advanced section: "The certificate for updates.tb.ask.com expired on 7/17/2024."

Firefox won't connect to a server whose certificate has expired -- whether Bitdefender leaps into action or not -- so this message is flagging something that has been failing in the background for a while.

If this were an important/current service, I'm sure they would have updated that certificate by now. I suspect it is linked to an old, possibly obsolete add-on that delivers results from the "Ask" search site. Time to do a little cleaning? Here's how:

You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:

• Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
• "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
• type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return

In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions. On the right side, find the "Manage Your Extensions" heading.

If there is at least one extension before the next heading -- "Recommended Extensions" -- please continue:

Then cast a critical eye over the list below that heading. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything mentioning Ask search, or private search, etc.? Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove). For your privacy and security, don't let mystery programs linger here.

Any improvement?