Viewing https:// secure web pages issue

Okay so I am using an account under standard user (not admin), everytime I go to apply for jobs on an Australian website under this account (or try to log in to ebay or any forums, such as Mac Forums) I keep getting getting a Connection was interrupted error. I never have this problem under the admin account which basically does nothing except for the admin stuff (installing, removing programs etc)

This is where the address is using the https: (Secure Connection).

I am using Mac OS 10.5.8 (The latest that will run, ok it's not the latest, on the Mac Mini PPC4) - I do intend to upgrade to a newer Mac Mini sometime in the new year, (just can't quite afford it right now).

I've tried these secure log in pages through both FireFox , Opera and Safari and I still get the Connection Interrupted error. and going to normal websites using http:// works perfectly.

I don't get why it's doing this. I am considering it could be a fault in the Operating System and the way the network is set up in the Mac? It's a ethernet connection.

The https secure sites do work under the admin account as I did that for a test.

Anything I can do to check out this problem further?

Why would you, the owner of the computer, be running as as a non-Admin user?

Get rid of the Windows thinking. You're on a Mac now.

How does that help me? I'm still rather a newbie to Mac, so excuse me if I want to be prett cautious with my new baby LOL

Any ideas though on the problem though? I'm up for any suggestions.

chas_m said:

Why would you, the owner of the computer, be running as as a non-Admin user?

Click to expand...

This isn't such a bad idea - running this way makes the machine more secure and this is important since no OS on the planet is bulletproof.

ShadowDan said:

I've tried these secure log in pages through both FireFox , Opera and Safari and I still get the Connection Interrupted error. and going to normal websites using http:// works perfectly.

Click to expand...

This is what perplexes me and what makes me believe that this might be a "standard user" problem. Regardless, let's ensure that your browsers have SSL and TLS enabled. Let's start with Opera (since I'm more familiar with it than the other two) - go to Opera > Preferences > Advanced > Security > Security Protocols... > make sure SSL 3 and TLS 1 are enabled.

Hi Van, thanks for your help

I have done just what you said in Opera and everything is ticked SSL 3 and TLS 1 are enabled. But TLS 1.1 & 1.2 are also enabled. I tried unchecking those two boxes and restarted the browser to see if that could be the problem. No such luck.

Again, there's nothing to fear by running in Admin mode, and the advantages are significant -- you can a) install software updates and b) move files without constantly having to type in the admin password.

Oh, and it avoids the problem you're having at this very moment. So, given that there are plenty of upsides and no downsides, my suggestion is that you upgrade your account to Admin level. The whole "it's safer in User" may be very technically true, but in reality its a non-issue on Macs. There aren't any viruses and while there exist some malwares, they all require -- you guessed it -- for you to manually input your Admin password to install them whether you are a User account or not. Not that you'll run into them really, they're as rare as politicians that tell the truth.

So, as I said before, leave the Windows mentality behind and be glad you're on a Mac now!

Well I shouldn't have to run my account as a admin to access secure "https" web pages. That's the point.
There's nothing to gain either by me being a new user to macs for me running in admin mode on.

ShadowDan, have you tried anything else besides Admin and standard accounts?

Have you done a restart recently?

Look in Activity Monitor, System Memory; do you have a lot of pageouts? I find if I have more than just a tiny amount, *something* will go wonky and I have to restart.

Try a safe boot, then a normal restart. Safe boot does some sort of file system checking and repair; it sometimes fixes weird problems.

Do you have another standard account to try? If not, make one and see if the problem exists there.

There's no reason https:// shouldn't work, and you shouldn't have to run in admin.

EDIT: Oh, and has it ever worked, and did anything unusual happen just before the problem started?

Hi Hagen

No it just started a week back. So not sure what I did for it to happen.

I created a new account and left it as standard user and the https:// still doesn't work.

What do I need to look for in Activity monitor?
And how do I get into safe boot?

Thanks for your help Hagen, may not seem like a big deal to most people but this is a complete stumper of a problem

What do I need to look for in Activity monitor?
And how do I get into safe boot?

Click to expand...

The Activity Monitor app will show any excessive use of memory or resources, however, I don't believe that should matter. You should still be able to access those sites.

In order to startup in safe mode hold down your shift key as soon as you hear the Apple POST chime.

The ding ding noise when it starts up? And will that work on a normal keyboard? Don't use a mac keyboard use a logitech keyboard for my mac mini.

I also use a logitech keyboard on a mini. Yes it will work to get to safe mode.

Ding dong noise? I don't know, whatever sound comes from the speaker when it starts up I guess. I hear a bleaaahng sound.

Immediately after the startup sound, press and hold the shift key.
Continue holding shift until the spinning gear appears, then release.
Startup will take a couple of minutes.
When it's done, you should see a red "safe boot" on the login screen.
Click restart again and don't press any keys this time.

You have verified that the problem isn't in the standard account, anyway. That's progress.

EDIT: I just saw you're on a G4. Oops. Obviously details will be different, and maybe none of what I said makes sense. Sorry.

No, it makes sense. I will give it a try. Nothing wrong with giving things a try.

Well, if it doesn't work, there are lots of other repair and maintenance things to try.

One would be repairing permissions, if you haven't done that. This sounds to me like a permissions problem. See Troubleshooting permissions issues in Mac OS X

I also wonder if https:// will work in safe mode.

Hey Hagen I did the safe boot thing, let it did the safe boot whatever it does, and then did a restart under normal mode. Everything seems to working. The https:// works now under the standard account.

Will have a look at the permissions page that you just linked.

Excellent! Thanks for letting me know.

No worries. Thanks for giving me some tips. I am now using my standard account. Which for me is safer. Give me 3 months and I'll be more confident with this