Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What does HSTS mean - privacy network error

(6 Posts)
Bea65 Wed 31-Jul-24 12:46:20

So for last 2 weeks or more, I cannot access the Money Saving Expert.com website which I always have had access to.....
Have googled to find out why I keep getting this privacy error message....am sure some of you GNs will be able to help😊

Merion Wed 31-Jul-24 13:09:30

This a web security protocol that forces your browser to only interact with websites through a secure HTTPS setting never just HTTP.

When you go to MoneySavingExpert the URL is always htttps

www.moneysavingexpert.com/

Do you log in to the site or just browse generally because if you log in, this might be something to do with preventing your log-in credentials from being stolen.

Some HSTS settings can inadvertently cause browser errors which you need to clear.

How to do that depends on which browser you are using:

Here are some methods you can try:

www.ssl2buy.com/wiki/how-to-clear-hsts-settings-on-chrome-firefox-and-ie-browsers

Elegran Wed 31-Jul-24 15:53:20

Wikipedia article about it -
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_Strict_Transport_Security

Bea65 Wed 31-Jul-24 20:24:08

Thank u both .. tried this still not being able to access- now I can’t access the Tesco vouchers so maybe my old Mac needs a service 🤔 re the money saving expert newsletter- I receive this via email and then always open in browser and don’t have any other browsers open so still unsure what the issue is…

camila Mon 03-Feb-25 07:07:35

This likely means your browser cannot verify the website's security certificate. Several possible causes include outdated browser settings, issues with your antivirus security software, incorrect date and time settings on your device, or a problem with the MoneySavingExpert website.

There can also be issues related to HSTS settings, and different methods are available to solve you can refer to the article:- cheapsslweb.com/blog/how-to-disable-hsts-settings-in-chrome-firefox/

J52 Mon 03-Feb-25 07:51:49

Bea65

Thank u both .. tried this still not being able to access- now I can’t access the Tesco vouchers so maybe my old Mac needs a service 🤔 re the money saving expert newsletter- I receive this via email and then always open in browser and don’t have any other browsers open so still unsure what the issue is…

Apple Mac stop allowing some older models to get upgrades of operating systems. This has happened to me on my 11 year old MacbookPro. I couldn’t send emails. I’m no expert, at all, but fortunately DS is and he managed to install a programme that allowed me to continue, for the time being. Maybe, getting an IT expert to look at it might help.
I think it will sadly time for me to buy a new one.