Thursday, 27th December 2007There is a problem with this website's security certificate error from SBS 2003

Error when accessing web based services on Small Business Server

When accessing web based services on a Small Business Server or similar arrangement from a remote PC, you will recieve the following error:

There is a problem with this website's security certificate.

The security certificate presented by this website was not issued by a trusted certificate authority.

This is actually due to Internet Explorer deciding that if the certificate wasn't issued by a known certification authority (one you have to pay for such as Verisign) then its untrustworthy.  This problem does not generally occur if you view the same web resource using Mozilla Firefox.

The Solutions

Solution 1: Install self-signed certificate locally 

1.  In Windows Internet Explorer 7, click Continue to this website (not recommended).
2. A red Address Bar and a certificate warning appear.
3. Click Certificate Error button to open the information window.
4. Click View Certificates > click Install Certificate.
5. Click Yes, to install the certificate, when warning message appear.

Solution 2: Add URL to the Trusted Sites

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to Menu bar > Tools > Internet Options.
3. Click Security > Trusted sites > Sites
4. Type the URL in the Add this website to the zone text box > uncheck Require server verification > Add > click OK
5. Click OK  to exit.

Another possible problem.

If the error message you recieve also says "The security certificate presented by this website was issued for a different website's address." then it could well be that the web address you entered for this certificate (for example "headoffice.myCompany.com" isn't what your typing in to the web browser to access the resource - make sure these are the same!