Quick answer
The "Your connection is not private" message means the browser cannot verify the site's identity via an HTTPS certificate, so it cannot guarantee the connection is secure. First check the date and time on your computer, then whether the problem is only on one site or on all of them. If the certificate has expired or the site is unknown, do not enter passwords or card details.
How to recognize the problem
- Red screen "Your connection is not private" in Chrome or Edge
- The message appears on one site, while other sites work normally
- The same message on all sites, both on phone and computer
- The site opens only after clicking "Advanced" and "Proceed"
- The message returns after every new browser launch
Most common causes
Incorrect date or time
A certificate is valid for a specific period. If the computer shows the wrong date, the browser considers it invalid and displays a warning.
Expired or incorrectly issued site certificate
The site owner failed to renew the certificate or it was issued by the wrong server. The problem is on the site's side, not on your computer.
Network interception or antivirus
A public Wi-Fi network, corporate proxy or antivirus that scans HTTPS traffic can replace the certificate and trigger a warning.
Corrupted trusted certificate list
Rare, but it happens: the system's trusted certificate list is corrupted, for example after a failed update.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check the date and time
In Windows, click the clock in the bottom right corner and check the date. Open
Settings > Time & language > Date & timeand turn on automatic setting. On macOS, openSystem Settings > General > Date & Timeand turn onSet time and date automatically. Then refresh the page (on WindowsCtrl + F5, on macOSCommand + Shift + R). - 2
Determine if the problem is only on one site
Open two or three known sites, for example your bank's site and a major service. If the message appears only on one site, the problem is likely with that site's certificate. If it appears on all of them, the problem is with your computer or network.
- 3
Check the certificate details
On the warning screen, click
Advancedand see what it says. If it says the certificate has expired or the name does not match, that is a signal that the site is currently not safe for entering data. Do not clickProceedright away. - 4
Try another network
Switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data or vice versa. If the site then opens normally, the cause is probably the public network or proxy. In that case, do not enter passwords while on that network.
- 5
Turn off HTTPS scanning in your antivirus
Some antivirus programs intercept HTTPS traffic and can trigger a warning. Temporarily disable that option in the antivirus settings and refresh the page. Do not turn off the entire antivirus protection. If the problem is resolved, turn it back on and check if the program is up to date.
- 6
Clear cache and cookies for that site
Open
chrome://settings/content/allin Chrome oredge://settings/content/allin Edge, find the site and delete its data. Then close and reopen the browser. This can help if the old page or login error still appears after the certificate is fixed, but it does not solve the certificate problem by itself. - 7
Check if the site is known and legitimate
Before continuing, check the address in the address bar: is it spelled correctly and does it use
https://. If the site is unknown and asks for a password or card details, close the page. For known sites with an expired certificate, wait for the owner to renew the certificate. - 8
If you must, proceed for reading only
For public sites without login, clicking
Advanced > Proceed(Chrome) orAdvanced > Continue(Edge) opens the page, but the connection remains encrypted and the browser cannot verify the site's identity. Never enter a password, card number or personal data on such a page. After viewing, close the tab.
When the problem is on the site's side and when on your network
If the message appears only on one site and others work, it is almost certainly that site's certificate. You can wait a day or two and check again, or contact the site's support. If the message appears on all sites, check the date and time, then try another network. At work with a proxy server or antivirus that scans HTTPS, contact your administrator: a certificate may be missing or expired. Do not install a "certificate" someone sends you by email and do not add exceptions in the browser if you do not know exactly what you are doing.
How to prevent it
- Turn on automatic date and time setting on all devices
- Do not enter passwords on public Wi-Fi networks without a VPN
- Regularly update your browser and antivirus program
- Check the site address before logging in, especially for banks and email
When to call a professional
If the message appears on all sites even after checking the date and changing the network, or if it is a work computer with a proxy server, it is better to contact IT support than to change system certificate settings yourself.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Is it safe to click "Proceed"?
Only for reading public content and if you know the site is legitimate. The connection is then encrypted, but the browser cannot verify the site's identity, so do not enter passwords, card details or personal data. For logging in, wait for the certificate to be fixed.
Why does the message appear only on my computer?
The most common cause is an incorrect date or time, or an antivirus that intercepts HTTPS. Check the date, then try another browser or network to narrow down the cause.
Is the problem with my Google account?
No. The message relates to the site's certificate and the connection, not the Google account. If it appears on all sites, check the system date and network.