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Certificate Errors in Mozilla

We recently had to create a new certificate for the web server here on Radix which many of you use to access Squirrelmail. One of our users has pointed out a problem with Mozilla though:

I am getting a certificate error when trying to access SquirrelMail using Mozilla 1.3.1. The exact error message is:

"You have recieved an invalid certificate. It contains the same issuer name and serial number as another certificate you are already using. Contact the server administrator from which this invalid certificate came, and urge them to get a valid ceritifcate."

I deleted the original stored certificate in an attempt to get Mozilla to ask me to accept it again but it did not work. It does seem to be functioning fine in IE, which I can use in the meantime.

What you want to do to fix this is the following.

1. In the Preferences window for Mozilla, under Privacy & Security click the Certificates item. Then click Manage Certificates...
2. You'll need to delete two certificates (possibly). First, under the "Web Sites" tab look for a certificate for "radix.cryptio.net". If you see it, delete it.
3. Look for the same entry under the "Authorities" tab. It might be hiding under the title "Cryptic Minds". You'll want to delete the radix.cryptio.net cert under there as well.
4. Now quit Mozilla and restart

Next time you try to access Squirrelmail or any other SSL page on Radix, Mozilla will say that the web site is presenting a cert which Mozilla doesn't recognize the signature for. Just tell Mozilla to accept the certificate forever (until it expires).

The cert we installed is good for three years, so you won't have to do this again soon. =)

Posted by randal at August 1, 2003 05:41 PM | TrackBack