How to Fix NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY Error

Step-by-step instructions on fixing Net::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY

Have you encountered the error “NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY” while browsing the internet?

If so, you’re probably wondering what the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY chrome error indicates and how you can fix it. In this article, we’ll shed some light on this issue.

Why am I receiving the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY Error in Google Chrome?

The “NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY” error is usually accompanied by a message stating “This Connection is not Private.” This error usually occurs because Google Chrome no longer recognizes a Symantec SSL / TLS certificate issued before the 1st of June, 2016.

As such, if the site has a certificate from Symantec providers (Rapid SSL GeoTrust, VeriSign, Thawte, Verisign, Equifax, GeoTrust, and RapidSSL) and the certificate hasn’t been updated after the 1st of June, 2016, Chrome 66 will consider them to be insecure sites and flash the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY error.

Additional Reasons for NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY Error:

The Google Chrome browser has not been updated.
The certificate is not updated.
Either the website certificate or the browser connection is insecure.
The date mentioned on the computer is incorrect.

How to Check if a Site is Using Symantec SSL?

Finding out if the website you’re visiting is using Symantec SSL is easy. You simply have to access the website showing the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY error. Click on the “Not Secure” button on the top of the address bar. Now click on ‘Certificate’.

This will reveal the website’s SSL certification. If it is Symantec SSL, and if it has been issued prior to the 1st of June, 2016, you won’t be able to access it on Chrome 66.

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Soon ALL Symantec SSL Sites will be Inaccessible on Chrome

Currently, Chrome 66 only blocks sites that haven’t updated their Symantec SSL certificates after the 1st of June, 2016. However, starting from Google Chrome 70, all Symantec certified websites will stop working, regardless of when they’ve been issued or updated.

How to Fix the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY Error?

For Users

If you want to access a website but Google Chrome isn’t allowing you to do so, you have the following options:

Check Date & Time: The NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY error can also occur if your computer’s time is incorrect. So correct the date and time according to your location and try again.
Use Another Browser: Currently, this error only occurs in Google Chrome. As such, you can try to access the website in another browser like Opera or Safari.

For Webmasters

If you’re a webmaster and your site is no longer working on Google Chrome because of Symantec SSL, you need to install a trusted certificate. You can do so in the following ways:

Click on the HTTPS lock icon.
Click on the ‘Certificate’ option.
Open the ‘Details’ tab in the certificate viewer and select the top certificate.
Click on ‘Export’ and save the certificate to your computer.
Go to Chrome Settings > Advanced > Manage Certificates > Import.
Select the saved certificate file and import it.
Restart the browser.

Conclusion

Following these simple steps should fix the NET::ERR_CERT_SYMANTEC_LEGACY issue for you and you’ll be able to continue browsing the internet.