Q: We have two phones and two tablet computers using our home Wi-Fi network. Lately all the devices have been getting a "your connection is not private" warning when going to some secure websites (they have "https" addresses) that sell airline or entertainment tickets. I use the Google Chrome browser, but I've had the same problem with Mozilla Firefox. How can I fix this?
Beth O'Connor, St. Paul
A: The warning means that the SSL (secure sockets layer) part of your online connection has encountered a problem.
At worst, it may mean you are connecting to a phony website that will steal your personal information. Less drastically, the warning could mean that the website hasn't kept its security software up to date, or that it hasn't updated the electronic "security certificate" that identifies it as authentic.
But the warning can also be triggered at your end of the secure connection by a problem with the computer, web browser or antivirus software. There are several remedies you should try:
• Close the browser, reopen it and try reaching the secure website again.
• Make sure your devices display the correct date and time. A secure connection can only be established if a device and the website that it's trying to reach agree on those things.
• Some antivirus programs interfere with https (HyperText Transfer Protocol secure) connections. If possible, turn off the antivirus features "SSL scan" or "https scan." If you can't, temporarily turn off the antivirus software (if that works, get a different antivirus program.)