How to deal with certificate errors? Step-by-step operation guide is easy to do

daily use of browsers to access websites, configure servers or use encryption tools, many people have encountered certificate error problems, which not only block normal network access, but also may hide security risks. Many users are often at a loss when faced with such prompts, and do not know where to start to investigate and solve them. This article will provide you with a set of system operation guides from the common causes of certificate errors, scenario processing methods, preventive measures and other dimensions to help you quickly locate and solve various certificate error problems.

, how to troubleshoot the core causes of certificate errors?

want to solve the certificate error efficiently, we must first clarify the root cause of the problem, different incentives corresponding to the processing method is different, accurate troubleshooting can avoid useless operations.

1, check the valid period status of the certificate

this is one of the most common causes of certificate errors. Digital certificates have a fixed valid period. Once the expiration date is exceeded, the browser or server will determine that the certificate is invalid and trigger an error prompt. You can click the lock icon in the address bar of the browser to view the valid period range in the certificate details to confirm whether it has expired or is about to expire.

2, verify whether the certificate matches the domain name

part of the certificate error is because the domain name bound to the certificate does not match the currently accessed domain name, such as the certificate corresponding to the main domain name, but the access is not included in the subdomain name, or the domain name filled in the certificate configuration is wrong. Also check the domain name information of the certificate through the lock icon, and compare it with the currently visited URL to quickly confirm.

3, check the certificate trust status of the system

if the certificate itself is valid and the domain name matches, but the certificate error still occurs, it may be that the system or browser does not trust the certificate's authority. Certificates issued by some niche institutions, or self-signed certificates, will not be trusted by mainstream systems by default, and need to be manually added to use them normally.

Second, how to deal with the browser certificate error?

browser is a high-frequency scenario of encountering certificate errors, and the operation logic of different browsers is similar. The following is a general step-by-step processing method.

1, handling expired or mismatched certificate errors

If it is confirmed that the certificate error is caused by the expiration of the certificate or the mismatch of the domain name, ordinary users cannot directly modify the website certificate. At this time, you can try to refresh the page first to eliminate the impact of temporary network fluctuations. If the certificate error is still prompted after the refresh, it is recommended to contact the website administrator to inform the certificate of the problem, and wait for the administrator to update or correct the certificate before visiting.

2 Resolve the error message of untrusted certificate

for self-signed certificates or certificates issued by niche authorities, if you confirm that the website is safe and trusted, you can manually add the trust. Take Chrome browser as an example, click Advanced Options on the certificate error prompt page, select Continue to visit the insecure website, and then go to the certificate details page to import the certificate into the system's trusted root certificate authority list. Subsequent visits to the website will no longer trigger the certificate error prompt.

How to fix the server certificate error?

if you are a website administrator, you need to repair the certificate error on the server side in time, otherwise it will affect the normal access of all users.

1, update expired SSL certificate

first apply to the original certificate authority to renew a new certificate, or replace the certificate of other authorities, after obtaining the new certificate file, log in to the server background, find the SSL certificate configuration module, replace the original expired certificate file, and restart the server-related services. After the certificate error can be solved. Note that the path and permissions of the certificate file and private key file are set correctly when configuring.

2, fix the matching problem between certificate and domain name

if the certificate error is caused by the mismatch of the domain name, you need to reapply for the certificate corresponding to the correct domain name, or apply for a wild-card certificate that supports multiple domains. When reconfiguring the certificate, carefully check the domain name information to ensure that all domains that need to be covered are included. After the configuration is completed, verify through the online SSL detection tool to confirm that the certificate error has been eliminated.

4. How to prevent certificate errors from happening again?

solve the certificate error that has occurred, take preventive measures to avoid the recurrence of similar problems and reduce unnecessary trouble.

1, set the certificate valid period reminder mechanism

whether it is a certificate for personal use or a server certificate, you can set valid period reminders in the certificate management tool, such as sending reminder notifications 30 or 60 days in advance, so that the certificate can be renewed in time before the certificate expires, so as to avoid triggering certificate errors due to certificate expiration. Many Cloud as a Service platforms also provide automatic renewal functions, which can achieve seamless renewal of certificates when turned on.

2, select the trusted certificate of the authority

try to choose an authoritative certificate authority trusted by mainstream browsers and operating systems. Certificates issued by such institutions will not trigger certificate errors by default, and the security is more guaranteed. Avoid using self-signed certificates for publicly accessible websites. If necessary, inform users in advance and instruct them to add trust.

3, periodically check the configuration status of the certificate

For server certificates, it is recommended to check the valid period, domain name matching and trust status of the certificate regularly every month to find potential problems and deal with them in time. At the same time, pay attention to the update of the browser and operating system. Some certificate errors may be due to the update of the system trust list, resulting in the original trust certificate is no longer recognized. Timely adjustment of the configuration can avoid the problem from expanding.

To sum up, the core of certificate error processing is to accurately check the incentives first, and then take corresponding measures according to different scenarios of the browser or server, and at the same time do a good job in daily prevention. From checking the valid period, domain name matching and other basic items, to performing repair operations in different scenarios, to setting reminders, selecting trusted certificates and other preventive means, this process can help you efficiently solve various certificate errors, ensure the safety and smoothness of network access, and avoid affecting normal work and life due to certificate errors.