While you're surfing the web, your browser does many things behind the scenes to make sure the websites you're accessing aren't putting you at risk. Granted, while there is only so much your browser can do to keep you safe, it's a good idea to pay attention to any warnings it sends your way.
One of the errors you may encounter while using Google Chrome on a Windows PC or a Mac is a "Your connection to this site is not secure" warning. Initially, this may seem concerning as its wording implies that your security is at risk. However, this error can appear even on websites we know to be 100% secure and are confident in. This is due to an issue with security certificates, and many times is not the fault of your computer or your web browser at all. These certificates are what websites use to prove they are who they say they are on the internet, and if your browser detects an issue with a certificate, it will issue a warning.
This guide will help you determine whether this warning is being triggered by incorrect settings on your computer or web browser, or if the issue is with the website itself.
Tools You'll Need:
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Access to a computer with iTunes installed
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Before You Begin:
You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
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Windows
Windows runs on computers produced by multiple companies, such as Lenovo, Asus, Dell, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, Acer, and Sony.
macOS
Apple is the only company that makes macOS computers.
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2. Make Sure Date and Time are Correct
Security certificates are used by our web browsers and computers to make sure a particular site is safe. Think of it as a form of ID. A website having a valid security certificate lets your browser know that the website claiming to be your bank is actually your bank, and so on. Just like our own government issued IDs have expiration dates, so do security certificates. If your computer has the wrong date and time set, this can cause certificates to appear invalid & your web browser will begin to issue security warnings.
If you notice that the Date and Time is continually incorrect even after manual adjustment, your machine may need to be serviced to replace its CMOS battery.
Verify the Date and Time on a Mac
Select the time display in the top-right corner of your screen.
Make sure both the date and time are correct.
If the time is incorrect, select the time display in the top-right corner of your screen, then select Open Date & Time Preferences.
Select the lock in the bottom-left corner to make changes.
Enter your username and password, then select Unlock.
In most cases, letting your Mac take care of setting the time is the best choice. Make sure there is a check for Set date and time automatically, and make sure a time server close to you is chosen.
If you want, you can set the time manually. Remove the check for Set date and time automatically, then enter the correct date and time. Press Save when done.
Select Time Zone, then select your closest region on the map, and refine it by choosing the city you are in, or the city closest to you, from the list below.
Verify the Date and Time on a Windows PC
Look at the date and time shown in the system tray. This is usually in the bottom right corner of the screen.
If the date or time are wrong, it should be adjusted.
For computers running Windows 10
Right-click on the date and time.
Select Adjust date/time.
For most, letting Windows manage the date and time, as well as automatically setting it is the best choice.
Make sure Set time automatically and Adjust for daylight saving time automatically are both turned On.
Make sure your time zone is selected for Time zone.
If you want, you can manually set the Date and time.
Make sure Set time automatically is set to Off, then select Change for Change date and time.
Set the Date and Time correctly, then select Change.
For all other versions of Windows
Right-click on the date and time.
Select Adjust date/time.
Make sure the proper Time zone is selected.
Select Change date and time.
Correct the Date and Time, then select OK.
You may wish to have Windows set the date and time for you in the future.
Select the Internet Time tab at the top, then select Change settings.
Make sure Synchronize with an Internet time server is checked, then select OK.
3. Clear History and Cached Browsing Data
After verifying that the date and time on your device is correct, test things again. If you're still having issues with security warnings on a particular website, your browser could be holding onto some outdated or bad data in the form of an old cookie, cached version of the website, etc. Clearing this data allows your browser to load the website freshly as if it had never been there before.
Open Google Chrome.
Select the menu at the top.
Click More tools, then select Clear browsing data.
Select Advanced at the top. For Time range, select All time. Place a checkmark next to each item you'd like to clear, then select Clear data.
Browsing history
Recommended This clears the memory of the pages you've browsed to.
Download history
Recommended This clears the memory of files you've downloaded.
Cookies and other site data
Recommended Pages store small data to remember you between visits to their pages. These are called cookies. This option clears cookies.
Cached images and files
Recommended Pages are downloaded and saved to your computer, so they are faster to display. This option clears cached copies, which can resolve many problems you may have.
Passwords and other sign-in data
Not Recommended The browser saves usernames and passwords for sites you sign into. There's no need to clear this, normally.
Autofill form data
Not Recommended Your browser stores other form data, such as your address, common search terms, and other things you type often on sites. There's no need to clear this, normally.
Site Settings
Recommended Checking this will clear specialty site settings you may have save.
Hosted app data
Recommended Some sites, especially Google apps, store extra app data that will automatically re-download when needed. Clearing this will cause a very small wait and solves problems with those apps.
4. Try the Webpage Again
With your browser's website data removed, try to visit the website again. If you still receive security warnings, the issue is with the website itself, and not your device or its web browser. In this case, there is nothing you can do to resolve the error. Once the website owner/manager resolves the issue, you will stop receiving security warnings when you visit the website.
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