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

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Robo-dog built to defend against drones

The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device.

Safety first

I bet you or someone you know has a scary travel story. These gadgets are no-brainers to bring on your next trip to protect yourself and your stuff.

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Have an iPhone? You can store secret pics in the Notes app. Open the pic in the Photos app, tap the share icon and select Notes. Open the note you want to protect, tap the three-dot icon in the upper right and then choose Lock.

Car companies are tracking your driving

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Are you a speed racer? You’re being watched. Major car companies are watching how you drive and selling your data to third-party brokers. Plus, discover secret codes to protect your family from scams and why the FCC is cracking down on illegal jammers.

👓 Skip the blue-light glasses: They don’t really protect your eyes from screen strain (paywall link). The real issue is looking at your device too closely for too long and forgetting to blink. We normally blink 15 times per minute, but that drops to six times per minute when staring at screens. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away.

$750,000 ransom demand

Made by an IT contractor paid to protect his victim. The infrastructure engineer used his access to lock out the company’s IT administrators, delete all their backups and get access to the rest of their servers. If you own a business, be aware of how much control you’re handing over.

Protect your fam from fake kidnapping calls

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Could you tell your child’s voice from a scammer’s? With AI cloning technology, it’s harder than ever.

Lock your credit files immediately

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Another huge data breach — 2.9 billion records exposed, including Social Security numbers. Here are the quick steps you need to take right now to protect yourself.

A round of a-paws: The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, an electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device. Wow, I hope these don’t get hacked.

Meghan & Harry save the children

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The couple is back with a new plan to protect kids from social media — but is it just an attention grab? Here’s the scoop. 

When the cure is worse than the problem

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You think the internet is a scary place for kids? It’s about to get worse. Big Tech’s latest “solution” to protect children could be even more dangerous than the problem.

Unwitting Americans and the election

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With the election nearing, foreign entities are spreading fake news online. Here’s how to stay sharp and protect yourself from propaganda.

🧈 This gold scam panned out: A 74-year-old Maryland man bought gold bars with his life savings and handed them over to a fraudster to “protect his bank account.” After, he saw a story on the local news about a woman losing $1 million dollars to this same scam. He contacted the police, who set up a trap and arrested the scammer. Unfortunately, the gold was long gone.

When the bank asks for a voice sample, say no

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Banks are pushing for voice biometrics as a way to protect your accounts, but there’s a catch. 

Don't hand your voice to your bank

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Voice cloning scams are on the rise, and fraudsters are targeting your bank. Here’s why you should protect your voice.

Protect your phone from snoops

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When your face unlocks your phone, there’s always a chance someone can get in without your permission.

The "We Owe You Money" scam

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A 78-year-old lost nearly $100,000 to a phone scam. Could this happen to you? Find out how to protect yourself. 

📸 Sayonara, snoops: A Japanese sportswear brand just launched infrared-blocking fabric to protect athletes from creepy photographers looking to take naked pics. Clothes already block visible light, but this new material stops thermal cameras from capturing heat signatures. Neat, right?

Signs of a SIM swap attack

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Is your phone suddenly not working? It might be scammers hijacking your number. Here’s how to protect yourself with a simple PIN setup.