UBB.threads PHP Forum Software Community Forums UBB.threads Bug Reports Insecure password warning, Firefox 52

Mozilla released Firefox 52 in early March, 2017. Now when users on that browser log in, they see a security warning. It occurs on this UBB Central forum site too. If you click the "Learn More" link, firefox gives you this web page.

I would sure like to fix the problem on my site. What can I do?


Here is the warning on UBB Central:

Did you read the entire "Learn More" link?
https://support.mozilla.org/t5/Protect-your-privacy/Insecure-password-warning-in-Firefox/ta-p/27861

It basically says that the website is not using HTTPS for secure logins. Read the whole page at that link.

Its not just Firefox, Google Chrome also presents a "Learn More" link when performing the same login task.
https://support.google.com/chrome/a...093&p=ui_security_indicator&rd=1

And have a quick read through this page from September 2016:
http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/08/technology/google-chrome-flag-non-secure-sites/


How can you fix it?
Purchase an SSL/TLS Cert and upgrade your website from HTTP to HTTPS.

Further reading at:
https://www.verisign.com/en_US/website-presence/website-optimization/ssl-certificates/index.xhtml
and:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_key_certificate
and:
http://info.ssl.com/article.aspx?id=10241


I've purchased SSL Certs several times over the years from these guys:
https://www.SSLs.com/

You might also find these Google Ranking Boost articles handy, if you're tempted to switch to SSL.
DigiCert Blog - Google Gives SSL-Secured Sites Search Ranking Boost
Google Webmaster Central Blog - HTTPS as a ranking signal
The Register - HTTP-Yes! Google boosts SSL-encrypted sites in search results

These SSL warnings now display as of Firefox v51 and Chrome v56.

In Layman's terms could you give a simple step by step how to do that?

Configuring your site for SSL/TLS is out of the scope of forum support; feel free to Google Search "How do I setup SSL?"

I see that my hosting service (DreamHost) offers some help with the free 'Let's Encrypt' certificate.

Questions for the experienced UBB admins:

If I install the certificate, will visitors' browsers automatically find the https URL, or will there be a period of questions and problems while everyone has to figure out the change?

Is it reasonable to encrypt the sign-in and leave the rest un-encrypted, so that the main forums remain under the http://... URL while the sign-in screen uses the secure https://..., or is that a pain to set up?

Thanks!

Because they're free, it's a great project.

You'll have to send traffic over an SSL connection, you can find examples on forcing all URLs to use SSL through .htaccess on Google, I force mine over CloudFlare.

You get a significant search engine bonus for having a full SSL site, I'd advise against what you're wanting to do.

I don't want to do that. My main goal is to make it as seamless as possible for the regular/repeat users. Will their old bookmarks find the new https:// site, or will that be a problem for them?

The answer would be no, UBB.threads does not have an option for the login or registration page to always be SSL, you could probably dig into the templates and specifically write the URLs to be such, but it'd send them back to the forums over SSL after the login/registration.

HTTP and HTTPS are seen as different URLs, just like your WWW vs non-WWW domain. Having an SSL certificate installed doesn't just automatically make their browsers use it. UBBCentral has an SSL certificate and it's not used here on the forums, that's ultimately the same thing that'd happen for you.

HTTP vs HTTPS

SteveC, you may not care about the SEO ranking factors on your own website, but for others who may come across this post, here is a link which may be helpful to them:

The Big List of SEO Tips and Tricks for Using HTTPS on Your Website
By Cyrus Shepard (September 8th, 2014)
https://moz.com/blog/seo-tips-https-ssl

I was just looking for some generalized steps. Some of the links provided helped a bit with that.

Please tell me if I have things right here, or if I forgot anything.

Need static IP address
Determine what type of SSL is needed and purchase
Install, (or have it installed) on server
Set up a Redirect HTTP >> HTTPS (with 'Wildcard')

End result is any old links using HTTP will be redirected to New HTTPS secure page

Is that basically right?

The contents of this post have been moved of to this HOW-TO guide:
https://www.ubbcentral.com/forums/u...transition-your-forum-from-http-to-https

Is there any way to test a website (prior to HTTPS change) for potential problems?

I mean problems with the existing content...

The third item on the list:
• Do the HTTP migration on a test server to test first

I'm just going to go for it lol.
And pick up the pieces as i go along.

Thats a great checking list you posted above.

I'm still looking in to this addition and that is to force https via a .htaccess file


I done a test on a basic site of mine with out forums, using the following via my server.
Use a symbolic link from private_html to public_html - allows for same data in http and https

Which then deletes the private_html leaving only the publc_html

However i was not getting the secure icon etc... until i added the htacces lines above and that seems to be working as expected.

Hopefully migrate over later this week using my forums.
I'm not on version 7.6 at this time.

I want to get https settled in on a working forum and then upgrade.

My thinking anyways.

Not sure what you mean exactly, but that sounds like it might be over my head.

Is the 'HTTPS compliance' issue about existing Absolute Links or might some things just stop working, or throwing up obvious Alerts?

If I don't see popup warnings on the website now would that change because of SSL and HTTPS?

Or, I guess... (Assuming SSL and 301 Redirect are set up correctly) what's the worst that could happen?

Unless your host supports Let's Encrypt; Let's Encrypt's SSL offerings can be used on shared ip addresses. Plus, they're free.

Unless you're providing order processing and your merchant requires location information, you can get away with any StarterSSL certificate (the cheap ones).

There are a lot of snippits on Google for "Force HTTPS htaccess".

Yes, but you'll likely want to update old links, which would involve database maintenance.

Keep in mind that 3rd party assets (embedding content from other sites that are not SSL, such as Photobucket) will give a warning on pages using them (basically that elements on the page are not provided over SSL).

Thanks for the additional info. As far as the Forum goes I'd probably just want to get the minimum needed to make the FF warning go away.

I also have an Ecommerce site at: www.LicensedElectrician.com where I'd be looking to get something better. All the online orders currently get processed thru PayPal, but I think I should have something there even if only for appearances.

As far as 3rd party assets go, do you mean like an 'in your face' obvious warning message will appear that doesn't appear now?

It'll show the "insecure content" message on pages embedding images/files from a non-https address.

sorry for the Newbie type questions, but here goes another...

• If I purchase SSL and it is installed on server, but I don't do 301 redirect to HTTPS does the website function as before? (I mean, no insecure errors that weren't there before)
• Can I access a page using https prefix to see if there are any compliance issues?

Would that work as a method of testing SSL/HTTPS compatibility?

Bill

"HTTP" and "HTTPS" are two different protocols. Think of them as if they are two different "cars" (yes, another car analogy).

1) "HTTP" is made of transparent glass and anyone who wants to see inside it, can.

2) "HTTPS" is made of solid lead, and only the user driving it will be able to see inside of it.

Each "vehicle" has its own key. In this case, the key is called a cookie.

To get from one and to another, you would literally be switching vehicles, since HTTP and HTTPS are not the same vehicle. So if you are taking a trip from one to "the store" up the street, the other one would be left in your garage.

As a user on a website which uses session information, there really is no switching back and forth on the fly between the two of them, when only one key can control one vehicle.

With the HTTP "vehicle," you will always get that warning from Firefox and Chrome, as long as they continue to notify users that they are currently using that "transparent glass" HTTP vehicle

I'm confused. Maybe I didn't explain it right.

I'm just trying to understand how SSL and HTTPS works.

Hypothetically, say I have an existing website, and I want to install SSL to reassure visitors, but are apprehensive about possible incompatibilities that may then be exposed and need fixing.

Right now, in FF there are no 'in your face warnings' unless there's a page with a form.

If I have SSL installed on the server but no Redirect to HTTPS set up yet does the website appear as before? (Does the HTTPS prefix force the page to use the SSL?)

In other words I can access a page via http://www.myDomain.com - and it appears as before
And, can I also access that same page via https://www.myDomain.com - which may then more visually warn of insecure items? (this way I could see and fix some problems before forcing HTTPS redirect)

Would that work?

sign up for a free cloudflare account, and you can get a free generic SSL cert, don't have to spend a dime.

just have to enable in the control panel on CF.

there are several htaccess tricks that you can implement that will redirect people visiting your site via http to https


I have also noticed if you have any non-https links on your site/login page, they will cause you to get the non secure warning as well.

if people don't type in https, and you have no redirect, they will always be on the non secure version.. you have to tell them to enter https, and/or enable a redirect that automatically converts/redirects folks to https.

The HTTP session cookie is for HTTP
The HTTPS session cookie is for HTTPS

You basically have two session cookies. One for each protocol.

If you are on HTTPS and try to access files which are on an HTTP address, Firefox/Chrome will warn you that that the page is not secure -- because you are attempting to send unencrypted HTTP data in to your encrypted HTTPS connection.

>> Further reading <<

Good reply, BadFrog

Here is the .htaccess code to do exactly what BadFrog is talking about:


SOURCE (posted earlier in this thread):
https://www.ubbcentral.com/forums/u...e-password-warning-firefox-52#Post259881

Maybe I'm asking the wrong questions.

I've done hours of searching about SSL and HTTPS. I think I have the basic idea of the steps involved.

What I have been unable to find out is how a website reacts after doing that.

Example: Existing website on FF, no visual warnings on any pages other than the little gray information icon in address bar.

All the embedded content works - linked images & videos from other sites, js Menus, Rotating Banners, etc.

If that website now has SSL installed and HTTPS redirect does the website look as before? same little gray info link in Address bar - or gets a padlock (or Greenbar) if everything is secure?

Or... does a message bar or popup appear alerting visitor of insecure links on that page or empty boxes where my js menu or Banners or embedded videos once were, etc.

In other words, does SSL and HTTPS force the page to examined more closely and give much more visual alerts to insecure content or links?

If every item on the HTTPS page is from the same domain and using the HTTPS protocol (or just using the HTTPS protocol), Chrome and Firefox will not display insecure content warnings. (edit: this assumes that the domains are using a valid certs)

If any single element on an HTTPS page is coming from an HTTP page, there will be an "insecure content" warning. Because now you are delivering mixed content to your users.

http = insecure content
and
mixed content on https = insecure content

insecure content triggers insecure content warnings in Firefox and Chrome.

further reading at:
https://support.volusion.com/hc/en-...-on-Secure-Volusion-Store-Pages-With-SSL

https://www.globalsign.com/en/blog/how-to-fix-mixed-content-warnings-on-your-ssl-site/

I get that. As is there's a little gray icon that, if I click on it tells me it's not secure.

Now, if I install SSL and HTTPS redirect would I still see just the little gray icon if insecure content was on that page? Or, would I get a more forceful indication like a popup or information bar that wasn't there before SSL?

if there is any insecure links on the page, you will still get the gray icon

best bet? implement SSL and see.

Note, configuring or purchasing an security certificate is outside of the scope of forum support.

Your users will not see the SSL page unless they're sent there, you can test before you move.

I want to +1 this comment so much!

I understand, if that's all that happens I can deal with it. I can fix things behind the scenes until it reads as secure.

I think most people just Browsing a site wouldn't even notice the gray icon.
If SSL causes popups and other obvious warnings that's a different story. That's what I'm trying to find out in advance.

sorry, I thought it was an easy question.

I have recently received emails from people on my site concerned about chrome and FF big bad warning about security.. I got a free SSL cert from my free cloudflare.com account, I spent a few days cleaning up links and problem solved.

And if you're on CloudFlare, the following page rule will redirect all of your traffic to use SSL:
Match: example.com/*
Forwarding URL
301 Redirect
Destination: https://www.example.com/$1

My forum has a large number of links to other threads within the forum. Would those all need to be modified to use "https", or would creating the the .htaccess code redirect take care of that?

Existing links within your posts, pm's, and user avatars will all retain their HTTP; unless you're super comfortable with crafting and executing queries directly to your database I would advise hiring the task out.

Guys,

I appreciate the responses I've gotten to my posts in this thread.
Maybe I'm being dense, but it seems like you've been missing my questions and giving me answers to things I didn't ask.

I give up...

Thanks

You need to update the links, htaccess only affects your domain name

Just enable ssl and see for yourself.
There are no pop-ups or anything..
People will stop getting the unsecured warnings they are getting now.

I assume this is in the cliudflare rules?
I have yet to use that feature

Yup, the rules do processing before the request to your server, so your server won't have to do as much.

I have my no-WWW -> WWW and my Non-Secure -> Secure processing

when I try to add the 301 rule, either via htaccess or cloudflare, it seems to break my site, I get an error about to many redirects. (even with htaccess completely removed)

Say... Is there a UBB.t forum around that is already running under https, where I can join and try some experimental posting?

These are mine
https://www.agardenersforum.com/
https://www.undergroundnews.com/

I just helped move over this week
https://ambergriscaye.com/

Both Gizmo and I have https setup on a few of our forums for quite some time. Gizmo is running one of his forums through cloudflair's https system (as posted above) and I am running one of mine through a cert installed on my server.

One of Gizmo's forums:
https://www.agardenersforum.com/forum/
One of mine:
https://www.celicahobby.com/

Beware though, these are live forums, so if you are posting off topic random things to either of the forums, one of the mods may delete the posts or take action on your account

Thanks for the links. So I took a peek. Sure is hard to find any people posting a link to another thread, so I gave that up.

But I did to this: With any links within the forums, I see they start with "https". I copy the link, move to a different browser tab, paste the link, but take the s out of https. Hit enter, and your site (or the browser) adjusts the link and displays the correct page.

So that experience doesn't equate with this:
Gizmo is pretty much saying everything must be changed, or the worries that someone like ECnet kept trying to ask about will be true.

Which way IS it?

Well, the links they'll have TO other threads will be HTTPS if you make all traffic use it (as the link they'll create by copying from the address bar will have been over a secure connection.

All of my database content of all internal links on my pages where updated in the database; if you don't do database maintenance then your existing content links for posts, avatars, and signatures will remain as they where created.

Additionally, any non-secure requests on my sites are automatically forwarded to the secure version via my CDN's Page Rules configuration.

My site uses https.

First thing I did was update all links to external sites (advertising, stat counters, etc) from http to https. If they didn't support https at all, I deleted them.

Then I ran some database queries {with help from Gizmo and Isaac) to search and replace all internal links in user posts, etc from http to https.

CloudFlare automatically forces https for me (can also be forced via htaccess) , thanks to the rules page Gizmo mentioned, but before that, if you only entered http:// you would get the grey warning, instead of the green lock.

My site is vanning.com

Yeah, a lot of sites don't use SSL, such as Photobucket; so users embedding offsite content from non-ssl sites will mark that page as having shared assets (items from both secure and insecure places)

I'm glad to hear that you got yourself up and running.

Be sure that you create new properties at Google for your https site, it's treated as a seperate property than your non-secure site. Also, my UBB.Sitemaps and UBB.MemberMaps addons both support secure sites, whatever URL it's accessed from will push that type of url (so on your secure property at Gooogle you'd request the ssl version of the sitemap).

Any chance of sharing those queries ?
Ive looked into this and Google Site Maps is wayyyyyy down.... it has Submitted 45,000 urls from site maps, but only indexed 9,000 after some reading my old http links within could be causing the problem.
I have resubmitted Gizmos site map twice now over a week period and its still the same. BTW I am still on 7.5x not 7.6x I wanted to get my site https then upgrade, as i know i have a working forum.

Thanks for any help.

It's pretty involved (user avatars, user signatures, the compiled and non-compiled post data, and the pt's), but it's basically just MySQL Replace followed by rebuilding post content. Be sure to backup your databases before you begin any maintenance to the UBB.threads database.

The command should be run from the MySQL command line or at the very least PHPMyAdmin, and is CaSe SeNsItIvE, so if you've used different formatting for your domain, you'll need to pass all types of that formatting. An example, a client had MyWebsite.com MyWebSite.com mywebsite.com www.mywebsite.com www.MyWebsite.com www.MyWebSite.com in their database as entries for their domain; so each had to be run through the update (where I replaced everything with their lowercase non-www version).

Note that the SSL property is an entirely new property and it can take months to fully reindex your site; it won't be overnight, weekly, or even a month long thing, and depending on how much content you have, it can take some time for everything to be re-indexed.

I done a quick Google its not that difficult to do.
As you say Gizmo, back up and test it first, which I will do.

What's strange with my site map it indexed 18,000 and over a week has dropped to 9,000 out of 65,000 submitted.

Previously with site maps it was indexed with in 3 - 4 days, from my old images I kept as a reminder.

It could also be goggles algorithm again.
In January site index dropped to 0 which I never picked up on, I think it was that, and no site map was listed, hence re-submitting it again. So check webmaster tools just incase Google has killed of any site maps.

Im sure it will come together.

Avatars, i had about 100 users were using from our uploads, so i manually updated those to https lol.

For now, I think I only have the posts table to search and replace, avatars has been done.

Would you recommend updating all urls in topics to https,even if an external site is not https at this time. Or just internal site links, as they should also have redirects in place.

Only update your domain, as you have no control over other domains (do a find/replace for your existing URL format, http://www.whatever); do NOT update other URLs to 3rd party sites/content until you know they support Secure URLs as you'll just end up with a bunch of non-functioning URLs.

Thank you Gizmo.
As Mark Bows turns and leaves the room.

Clever fella that Gizmo fella... Just like Isaac yu know

Gizmo often steps in to handle difficult tasks... often.

I do love the 3am "Hey, take a look at this" followed up by "how about we try it like this?" lol

I tested each external link by changing it to Https first before changing anything on my site

Question for Gizmo...

After going to ssl do any settings or language in ubb.sitemap need to be changed?

If you're running a recent build (latest is v0.10, released on October 26th, 2015) there shouldn't be anything you have to worry about, as the URL scheme is read based on how the script is fetched.(if it's fetched over SSL it will write all of the URLs as SSL).

Yes, thanks.