OK, why is the CIA's security ceertificate coming up for me?

[Kelvin Mace]

I just Googled "George Tenet" to check the spelling and right after my search results come up, a message pops up in my browser (Firefox 2.0.0.3) "Security error: Domain name mismatch", followed by a popup box that states:

You have attempted to establish a connection with "cia.gov". However, the security certificate presented belongs to "http://cia.gov". It is possible, though unlikely, that someone may be trying to intercept your communication with this web site.

I tried to duplicate the error (I searched from my built-in Google lookup), but it doesn't repeat.

I tried IE, and another machine with the same version of Firefox, but the error doesn't repeat. Now I am not one to jump to conclusions, BUT, I would be curious is anyone else can duplicate this "error", and whether after getting the error to occur, they can repeat the error.

[CabalPowered]

1. Most likely the result of a prefetch

http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Link_prefetching_FAQ

[Kelvin Mace]

9. Hmmm...

This may be the case, as there is a cia.gov link on the Google page at the bottom.

https://cia.gov/csi/books/dddcia/tenet.html

Which is a secure link leading to a dead page. The cache shows the link as a brief bio of Tenet.

Probably you have hit the nail on the head, but I have this mischievous inkling to post this on a few tin-foil hat sites and watch the fun.

Thanks!

[CabalPowered]

16. LOL!

Let me know how that pans out.

[MidwestTransplant]

17. You seem to be knowledgeable about Firefox.

It keeps crashing on my Vista computer. Any ideas why that could be happening? I Have the latest version installed.

Thanks

[CabalPowered]

19. Oh jeez, I have zero experience on Vista

I would try and uninstall completely and reinstalling. There's several steps in completely removing firefox. Make sure to backup your bookmarks.

http://www.tweakguides.com/Firefox_3.html

I'd follow the instructions, but if you have no experience with registry edits, skip that part.

[MidwestTransplant]

20. Thanks I will give it a go

[Breeze54]

21. SPYWARE!!!!!

Run a scan with Spybot S & D http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Another person on DU had the same issue and she found 186 spybots!!! :crazy:

[uppityperson]

2. I have the same firefox version and it didn't do it for me. You must be special.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. Yeah, that kind of worries me

[BluePatriot]

3. Maybe CIA runs pop up ads for recruiting tied to adwords?

https://www.cia.gov/

One of their ads could have a wonky certificate. But who knows, that is weird...

[Kelvin Mace]

8. Possibly,

but I didn't click on any of the links.

[BrotherBuzz]

4. That message only popped up in my browser when I clicked a CIA.gov site

https://cia.gov/csi/books/dddcia/tenet.html

On edit: interesting, now the cia site is "not found" and the message does not pop up anymore. :shrug:

[Duer 157099]

6. Under "Tools" ... "Options" ... "Security" see if this box is checked

One about advising you whether a site is a counterfeit. Apparently the mismatch between the two domains (+/- the "www." prefix) is causing the issue.

[Kelvin Mace]

10. Oh, I caught that

and I do have it checked, but I didn't go to the site. I think the error occurred because Firefox scanned the links and pre-loaded them which triggered the error.

[Duer 157099]

12. Oh, ok, I get you now n/t

[blogslut]

14. that's my guess

I still don't understand the www thing. I have a bad/good habit of typing URLs into the bar ala: http://domain.com. Sometimes when I do that, the site won't resolve. But when I add the www, the site opens. Could the SSL is for the www.whatever.com as opposed to http://whatever.com.

[Duer 157099]

15. Yes.

Depending on how the site owner sets up the server, the domain may resolve automatically with or without the "www." -- it *usually* does, but again, it's an option to not have it do so.

edit to add: and yes, a certificate can be specific to one or the other, or both.

[Double T]

7. You're probably under surveillance, like the rest of 'US' dissidents.

[Kelvin Mace]

11. Do I dare flatter myself?

[Kurovski]

13. My firewall asked to grant permission to something from The Dept. of Justice

last night.

Someone once explained it wasn't a big deal the last time it happened, but I'm sketchy on the details.

And hell, they've already got our phone calls, don't they?

[Megahurtz]

18. ROFL!

Bust-ed! :rofl:

That's just too funny! :7