How to Fix Website Not Secure Error in Safari

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Not being able to access your regular sites while browsing can be frustrating. In many cases, they are caused by a website that's not configured properly, but you can double check your date and time and clear your Safari history.

This guide will help you ensure that Safari on your Mac or iOS device isn't the cause of these security errors. We will check:

• Computer date and time
• Safari cache and cookies

Tools You'll Need:

• A paperclip
• iPhone charging cable
• Access to a computer with iTunes installed
• Any other non-consumable tools needed
• Comment out tools section if no tools are necessary

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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Before You Begin:

• You must have access to a computer with iTunes installed.
• You must have that thing for the other thing so you can do the thing.

You must have this thing before you whatever.

• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Title of GP User Should Do First
• Each individual prereq should have its own box like this. Not all will contain multiple links.
• Comment out prerequisites section if no prereqs are necessary

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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.

iOS devices (such as your iPhone or iPad) all set their date and time automatically, so this is something that would only affect your Mac computer.

If you notice that your Date and Time is continually incorrect even after adjustment, reach out to Apple support. Some models may require a CMOS battery replacement.

1. Select the time display in the top-right corner of your screen. This will display the date and time set on your computer.
2. Make sure both the date and time are correct.
   

1. If the date and time are not correct, select the time display in the top-right corner of your screen, then select Open Date & Time Preferences.
   

1. Select the lock in the bottom-left corner to make changes.
   

1. Enter your Mac's username and password, then select Unlock.
   

1. In most cases, letting your Mac take care of setting the time is the best choice.
2. Make sure there is a check for Set date and time automatically, and make sure a time server close to you is chosen.
   

1. If you want, you can set the time manually.
2. Remove the check for Set date and time automatically, then enter the correct date and time. Then select Save.
   

1. 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.
   

3. Clear Browser History

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. 

For Safari on a Mac Computer

1. Open Safari.
   

1. Select the Safari menu, then select Clear History.
   

1. Select Clear all history, then select Clear History.
   

For Safari on an iPhone or iPad

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select Safari.
   

1. Select Clear History and Website Data.
   

1. Select Clear History and Data on the confirmation screen.
   

This action may make browsing the web less convenient for a while. Safari will have forgotten the websites you've been visiting so it will not suggest them as you type unless they've been previously bookmarked. These will build back up over time.

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.