Instructions for Fixing Errors SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE

Introduction

When browsing the internet, you may come across an error message that says “SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE.” This error message is related to SSL/TLS certificates and indicates that the certificate being used does not have the necessary key usage extensions. This error can prevent you from accessing certain websites or cause other issues with your browsing experience. In this article, we will provide instructions for fixing errors SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE.

What is SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE?

SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE is an error message that appears in Mozilla Firefox when a website’s SSL/TLS certificate does not have the necessary key usage extensions. These extensions are used to specify the purposes for which the certificate can be used, such as for server authentication, client authentication, or code signing. If the certificate does not have the appropriate key usage extensions, Firefox will not trust the certificate and will display the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error message.

Causes of SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE

There are several reasons why you may encounter the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error message. Some of the most common causes include:

• The SSL/TLS certificate does not have the necessary key usage extensions.
• The certificate was issued by an untrusted or unknown certificate authority.
• The certificate has expired or has been revoked.
• The website is using an outdated or unsupported SSL/TLS protocol.

How to Fix SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE

If you encounter the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error message, there are several steps you can take to fix the issue. Here are some instructions for fixing errors SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE:

Step 1: Check the SSL/TLS Certificate

The first step in fixing the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error is to check the SSL/TLS certificate being used by the website. You can do this by clicking on the padlock icon in the address bar of Firefox and selecting “More Information.” This will open the Page Info window, where you can view information about the website’s SSL/TLS certificate.

In the Page Info window, click on the “Security” tab and then click on “View Certificate.” This will open the Certificate Viewer, where you can view detailed information about the certificate.

Check to see if the certificate has the necessary key usage extensions. Look for the “Key Usage” field in the “Details” tab of the Certificate Viewer. The key usage extensions should include “Digital Signature,” “Key Encipherment,” and “Server Authentication.” If any of these extensions are missing, the certificate is not adequate for use with Firefox and will need to be replaced.

Step 2: Install the Certificate

If the SSL/TLS certificate is valid and has the necessary key usage extensions, you may need to install the certificate in Firefox. To do this, click on the “View Certificate” button in the Certificate Viewer and then click on the “Install Certificate” button.

Follow the prompts to install the certificate in Firefox. Once the certificate is installed, restart Firefox and try accessing the website again.

Step 3: Update Firefox

If the SSL/TLS certificate is valid and has the necessary key usage extensions, and you have installed the certificate in Firefox, but you are still encountering the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error, you may need to update Firefox.

To update Firefox, click on the menu button in the top-right corner of the Firefox window and select “Help” > “About Firefox.” This will open the About Firefox window, where you can check for updates and install them if they are available.

Step 4: Contact the Website Owner

If you have tried all of the above steps and are still encountering the SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error, you may need to contact the website owner. The website owner may need to update their SSL/TLS certificate or make other changes to their website to resolve the issue.

Conclusion

The SEC_ERROR_INADEQUATE_KEY_USAGE error can be frustrating, but it is usually easy to fix. By following the instructions in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and access the website you are trying to visit. If you continue to encounter the error, you may need to contact the website owner or seek further assistance from a technical support professional.

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