It’s happening more and more. I keep several extra cases of water on hand, just to be safe.
Unsecure page error: 5 things to try if you get this warning
There are countless threats on the internet, from scams to malware-infested websites. Then there are unsecured websites, which your browser warns you about. If you get a message that says, “Your connection is not private,” you might jolt in alarm.
This error message is meant to protect you while surfing the web. For more ways to stay safe, use this tip to protect yourself in a dangerous digital world. There are many reasons why your browser might say, “Your connection is not private” or “Your connection is not secure.”
Luckily, there are a few ways to solve the issue. So, before worrying about your digital life being endangered, try one of these strategies. Here are five tips that should fix these error messages.
Why this happens
You’re browsing the web, having a grand old time. You click on a link so you can go to a webpage. Then you see this message:
You’ll see messages like this on browsers, from Chrome to Firefox. It means that your browser can’t verify the SSL certificate of the website you’re trying to visit. In other words, your browser shows you this message when it isn’t sure if the website will securely encrypt your data.
This error message isn’t always a red flag. Here are a few reasons why you might be seeing this error:
- The website’s SSL certificate expired.
- The domain holder never got their SSL certificate.
- It was never set up correctly.
If you own a website, you know that setting these certificates up is difficult. Speaking of which, you should run your site through analytics tests to ensure it’s functioning correctly. Tap or click here for five free online tests.
It’s easy for the owner of a website to make mistakes. Silver lining: There are a few ways to eliminate the error messages. Here are some troubleshooting solutions.
How to fix “Connection is not secure” errors
A new hospital cyberattack left patients without care – Keep your records safe
Come with me. Imagine you rush to the emergency room, but after five hours, they tell you to find another hospital. Or you check in at your specialist’s office for a chronic condition, only to find they’ve lost your entire medical history. Both of these scenarios just happened.
America's drinking water is under attack
Water systems in Kansas, Texas and Pennsylvania have already been hit by hackers in China, Russia and Iran. Plus, clothes that block 5G waves, AI coming to Alexa, and Walmart’s new digital pricing. We also chat with Joseph Cox about his book “Dark Wire,” which is about Anom, the FBI’s secret app used by criminals.
🇨🇳 Communist China-based hackers are the suspects: Yup, they’re the ones suspected of breaking into three major telecom companies and causing major outages — AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies. Details are scarce, but the hackers probably gained access to the systems used for court-approved wiretapping and eavesdropping. Truly frightening.
Today, 91% of phishing scams originate from this one source. Is it … A.) Phishing emails, B.) Compromised websites, C.) Unsecured Wi-Fi or D.) That person in your life who clicks on anything?
600 million cyberattacks
Target Windows every single day. Microsoft’s latest report with all the gory details says more than 99% of attacks go after your passwords. Antivirus software is a must, folks.
Quick privacy upgrade: Turn your phone to safe mode
All I want for Christmas is to help keep your data safe. The bad news is there are a ton of cybercriminals out there doing their best to stop me.
Apple recently shared the results of a study from MIT on the growing threat of cyberattacks around the globe. A mindblowing 2.6 billion personal records were breached in 2021 and 2022. I’d say it’s time to act if you haven’t already.
Do this with your router before selling it or throwing it away
You know to wipe your devices before tossing them or giving them away. Your phone and computer contain lots of data that can be used against you. But what if you don’t have a chance to reset them? Here’s how to remotely wipe the data from your phone and computer.
🛰️ If you want peace, prepare for war: The U.S. and its allies are working to defend against growing space threats from China and Russia. Cyberattacks, GPS jamming and even space debris all pose serious risks. So far, NATO has added a space branch, the U.K. has launched its own spy satellite, and France is developing tech to prevent interference in low Earth orbit (paywall link). See you crater, space invader!
North Korean spies are infiltrating U.S. companies: They’re applying for IT jobs with stolen IDs, peppy cover letters and AI-generated photos (paywall link). The goal is to get access to U.S. company networks and then steal intellectual property or create backdoors for cyberattacks. Always insist on an in-person or video interview and thoroughly vet applicants’ work histories and references.
🚨 Hospital nightmare: The Ascension hospital cyberattack in May 2024 shut down computers for weeks, and it all started with one employee who mistakenly downloaded a malicious file. Ascension handles roughly 3 million emergency room visits and performs nearly 600,000 surgeries per year.
OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT-4o: What to know
It’s much smarter and faster than before, and it will be available for free. Plus, what happens when you’re in the emergency room and your hospital gets hacked? We talk to Zackery Ryan, a patient who was at the hospital during last week’s Ascension cyberattack.
Our hospitals are under attack
This week’s cyberattack on one of the largest health systems in the U.S., Ascension, was bad — really bad. Plus, a controversial Apple iPad ad, more Cybertruck problems, and Roblox adds virtual billboards to the game.
UnitedHealth paid a $22 million ransom
The Change Healthcare data breach occurred due to a lack of multifactor authentication. Are you prepared for cyberattacks?
Under siege: Change Healthcare, the hacked UnitedHealth Group company that processes insurance claims, already paid $22 million to a ransomware crime ring. It’s no surprise they’re a big target since they’re used by about 94% of hospitals, plus pharmacies and medical offices. Another group called RansomHub says they’ll sell the same data that was stolen during that massive February cyberattack unless they get paid in five days. We’re all screwed.
Glassdoor isn't anonymous after all
That bad review of your boss could reveal your info. Andrew and Allie talk about how cyberattacks hit U.S. water systems, Nvidia’s $9 an hour AI nurse, and the job skills you need to know (yep, they’re related to AI). Plus, tricks to get the best price on your flight!
Cyberattack paralyzes U.S. pharmacies
Can’t fill your prescription? Here’s why, and what you can do about it.
A data buffet: Golden Corral was hit by a cyberattack last August (and we’re just finding out about it now!), exposing the personal data of over 183,000 folks — current and former employees, plus their beneficiaries. We’re talking Social Security numbers, financial deets and medical info. If you’ve been on their payroll, freeze your credit ASAP.
Your phone has an expiration date – Here’s how to find it
Trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of your smartphone? It’s one thing to deal with a battery that doesn’t last a day and crashing apps to avoid spending a big chunk of change.
But using your phone past its end of life is risky business. So is clicking any link that comes your way. It’s a bummer hackers are weaving them into AI chatbot results.