'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server' Issue

Mac users can sometimes encounter an error message stating that 'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server.' It is one of the most common errors in Safari.

If this particular issue cannot be fixed through the usual methods of clearing the browser cache, browsing data, permissions, or resetting the network settings, users still have some options that could potentially resolve it.

Clear Your Browser Cache & History

Let's try one of the simplest means to solve this connection error. Simply clear the Safari cache. Here's how you do it:

1. Open Safari and click the Safari menu tab at the top left corner.
2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. Click Advanced at the top right of the pop-up window.
4. Check the Show Develop menu in the menu bar box at the bottom.
5. Click Develop on the Safari menu tab.
6. Choose Empty Caches on the drop-down menu.

Aside from cleaning the browser cache, you can also try deleting your browser history.

1. Open Safari and click the Safari menu tab at the top left corner.
2. Select History from the drop-down menu.
3. Choose Clear History.

Time & Date Settings

While it may sound odd that your Time settings could have anything to do with the 'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server' error message, it might actually be the case on Apple devices. Unexpected issues may arise after installing a new program, visiting a secure website, or setting up new apps. If you have recently done any of that, be sure to check whether your Time and Date settings are correct. To access the settings, do the following:

1. Open the Apple menu and navigate to System Preferences.
2. Open Date & Time.
3. Click the padlock icon at the bottom to prevent further changes.
4. Check the Set date and time automatically box.

Try a Different DNS Server

Another reason you might be getting this error message may lie behind your Internet connection settings. The DNS server acts like a phonebook for the Internet, matching the actual numerical addresses of the websites with their human-intended names. Changing a different DNS server could resolve the 'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server' error. To modify your DNS settings, follow these steps:

1. In the Apple menu, open System Preferences.
2. Select Network.
3. Click on Advanced and choose the DNS tab.
4. Remove all the currently entered information.
5. Click on the + button, and type 8.8.8.8 for the primary DNS.
6. Type 8.8.4.4 for the secondary DNS.
7. Restart Safari and check if the error is still there.

The Website Might Be Unsafe

In some cases, there may be nothing wrong with your Internet and system settings. You may see the 'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server' error on your screen because you have landed on a fake website. Such pages are designed to look very believable, so you could be pushed to take action on the issue. However, double-check the URL to see whether it's really the webpage you wanted to open. If you see that you have been forcefully redirected to an unfamiliar webpage, run a full system scan with a malware remediation tool immediately.

Apple has increased its security measures designed to protect its users. As a result, some unsecured websites that do not meet the necessary criteria could be blocked by Safari. Weak encryption, using a proxy server connection, etc., could prevent a site from being opened. To check if this is the reason for the 'Safari Can't Establish a Secure Connection to Server' error message, try to open the specific website in another web browser such as Firefox or Chrome. If another browser opens the page, the chances are you tried to open an unsecured website.

Finally, having an overly strict antivirus solution could also cause the same outcome. Open your anti-malware product and check its settings, usually located under the 'Web Shield' section.