How to Fix macOS Safari 'Not Secure' or Certificate Errors When Accessing Australian Business Websites

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to Fix macOS Safari 'Not Secure' or Certificate Errors When Accessing Australian Business Websites. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Safari security warnings such as "Not Secure" or certificate errors can prevent you from accessing essential Australian business, banking, and government websites on your Mac. These messages typically indicate that Safari cannot verify the security of the website connection, or that your Mac's system settings are blocking the secure handshake. This guide walks you through the most effective steps to resolve these issues and restore safe access to the sites you need.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Refresh the page by selecting View > Reload Page from the menu bar, or press Command + R.
2. Check your internet connection by opening a different website. If other pages load normally, the issue is likely specific to the affected site.
3. Restart Safari by selecting Safari > Quit Safari, then reopen the browser.
4. Restart your Mac by selecting Apple menu > Restart.

Detailed Instructions

1. Check Your Mac's Date and Time Settings

SSL certificate errors often occur when your Mac's date and time are incorrect, causing certificates to appear expired or not yet valid.

1. Select Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click General in the sidebar, then select Date & Time.
3. Ensure Set date and time automatically is enabled.
4. If it is disabled, toggle it on and allow your Mac to synchronise with the time server.
5. Close System Settings and refresh the website in Safari.

2. Clear Safari Website Data and Cache

Outdated or corrupted website data can trigger persistent security warnings even after the underlying issue is resolved.

1. Open Safari.
2. Select Safari > Settings from the menu bar.
3. Click the Privacy tab.
4. Click Manage Website Data.
5. Select the website showing the error, then click Remove. To clear all data, click Remove All.
6. Click Done, then close Settings.
7. Select Safari > Clear History.
8. Choose all history from the dropdown, then click Clear History.
9. Quit and reopen Safari.

3. Check Your Security Software and Firewall

Third-party antivirus, VPN, or firewall software can intercept secure connections and cause Safari to display certificate errors.

1. Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or security software installed on your Mac.
2. If you are using a VPN, disconnect it and try accessing the website again.
3. Select Apple menu > System Settings.
4. Click Network in the sidebar, then select Firewall.
5. Ensure the firewall is not blocking Safari. If you recently changed firewall settings, consider reverting them temporarily to test.
6. Refresh the affected website in Safari.

4. Update macOS and Safari

Outdated system software can lack current root certificates required to validate modern Australian business and government websites.

1. Select Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Click General in the sidebar, then select Software Update.
3. If an update is available, click Update Now or Restart Now.
4. Allow your Mac to download and install the update, then restart if prompted.
5. Reopen Safari and test the website.

Troubleshooting

Certificate Error Persists on One Website

If the error only occurs on a specific Australian business or government website, the issue may be with the website's own certificate rather than your Mac.

• Try accessing the website from a different device on the same network, such as a smartphone or tablet.
• If the error appears on multiple devices, contact the website owner or organisation to report the certificate issue.
• Do not proceed to the website if you are entering sensitive information, such as banking details or login credentials.

Error Appears on All Websites

If every secure website shows a "Not Secure" warning, your Mac's certificate store or network configuration is likely the cause.

• Ensure your Mac is connected to a trusted network. Public Wi-Fi hotspots sometimes use captive portals that interfere with SSL connections.
• Check if your organisation uses a web filter or proxy server. Contact your IT administrator to confirm whether Safari needs to be configured to trust a specific certificate.
• Create a new user profile on your Mac and test Safari from that account. If the error does not appear, the issue is isolated to your user profile.

Safari Blocks a Website You Trust

Safari may block access to a website if it detects a serious security risk. You should only bypass this warning if you are certain the website is legitimate.

1. When Safari displays the warning, click Show Details.
2. Review the certificate information carefully.
3. If you understand the risks and still wish to proceed, click Visit Website.
4. Safari will remember this exception for the current session.

If you have completed these steps and continue to experience Safari certificate errors on Australian business websites, Open a Ticket with 220 Internet Services support for further assistance.

Still Having Issues?