Q. Recent updates to Chrome causing "Your connection is not private" error

When you click on a link to access an ebook, ejournal article, database or other electronic resource, you may see the error message  “Your connection is not private”

Please perform one of the following to continue to access the e-resource:-

1. Clear your Browsing Data
2. Clear Your Browser HSTS (For the detailed steps, refer to https://libfaq.nus.edu.sg/faq/272361)

If it still does not work, please send the URL for that e-resource you are trying to access through to the NUS Libraries' Ask a Librarian service (askalib@nus.edu.sg) 

This error message is occurring with newer security updates in Chrome and other browsers.  We are updating the URLs for NUS Libraries' subscribed electronic resources where publishers are able to update their URLs with “https”. 

Why do you see the message?

A “your connection is not private” error means your browser cannot verify whether a website is safe to visit. Your browser issues this warning message to prevent you from visiting the site, because visiting an unsafe or unsecure site may put your personal information at risk.

Your browser verifies a site's security certificate to confirm the site will protect your privacy while visiting it. If a certificate is not up to standard, this means your personal data might not be encrypted and therefore susceptible to online threats. In short, a "your connection is not private" error means just that: Your connection is not private, and the error isn't something to ignore.

There are many reasons why you might receive a “your connection is not private” error. But, it’s often due to a fluke in the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate—and only the owner of the website can fix that.