Win 7 sudden security certificate hell

southkaibab · 12 Feb 2010

I'm on a business network amounting to a home network, the router being upstairs with a boss/landlord who doesn't like hearing about problems, so...

As of three days ago I suddenly started getting the "problems with the security certificate" window on just about all my websites, including all email accounts, online banking, etc. Problem is similar on Firefox and IE, except the latter is stickier. I can go through the process of approving each page by hand, but among other things that means some six stops moving around my online banking--I have to approve every new page by hand. Those changes stick, but still it's a hassle.

My landlord put some new security on his router this week, but he insists that can't have anything to do with my problem. I'm not so sure--though I wonder if it might have something to do with a row of Win 7 updates this week. Here is an edited selection of some other symptoms--

-I can't get to Windows update at all, file backup isn't working, I have a "check for solutions to unreported problems" message. (These three appear in the Action Center.)

-Gmail says my chat function has been "disabled" by the "network administrator."

-On at least one software site I couldn't order something because the payment wouldn't go through.

-Firefox will no longer fill in my passwords. I have to do everything by hand.

-My laptop/other computer suddenly can't connect to the network at all, even though the signal is there on my end and the router upstairs insists it is connected and there's no problem. When my landlord briefly disabled his security, I could get on the network with the laptop.

There's more, but that's enough. Does that ring a bell for anybody?

JS

IggyAZ · 12 Feb 2010

What virus program are you running?
Have you scanned your HD since this has happened? If not you should.
What firewall are you running?
Do you have any malware program you can run?

Too many issues happening and all not related to each other except your computer.
I would suggest a full virus scan and malware scan to see what surfaces.
After that I would try to find a recovery point prior to the Window updates and give that a try or
if you have a recent HD image backup try that.

Let us know what you find.
Thanks

WindowsStar · 13 Feb 2010

Do as IggyAZ stated you may find your machine has malware or a virus on it.
Here is a good Malware software: Malwarebytes.org

southkaibab · 13 Feb 2010

Could be malware, I guess. Virus pro is Eset, firewall is Windows, I think. But if it's a virus or malware, then why--

-Is my second computer, a new Win 7 laptop, suddenly not able to connect to the network at all, even though the signal is strong? The last time I used it on the network, a week ago, it worked fine. I don't know if the latest Win 7 updates are on the laptop, but again: this week the landlord put some new security protocol on his router. Anyway, why would both my Win 7 computers start screwing up (though in different ways) at the same time?

-Meanwhile my old XP computer, as it turns out, is working normally on the same network--no security certificate problems, etc. So the problem is affecting both my Win 7 computers and not my old XP one.

-The landlord's wife's laptop, which is probably XP or Vista, is connecting normally to the network.

-My computer suddenly lost all or most of its ability to fill in passwords, etc. It remembers at least some when I fill them in again, but all went at once, and even Napster got weird, though it accepted the password when I filled it in again. Windows Update refuses to work, automatically or by hand.

-And again, as a relevant clue: On this computer Gmail told me I couldn't do chat because it was "disabled" by the "network administrator." I can't check this on the laptop because it won't connect at all.

Does this add up to some problem between Win 7 and my landlord's new security protocol? In fact I think he instituted it because at one point a week ago, I discovered his files were available on my computer and I think that somehow registered upstairs. As soon as I turned off file sharing on my computer (I assume that had changed when I installed Win 7) I could no longer see his files.

WindowsStar · 13 Feb 2010

It is possible your landlord is blocking your machines or at least the ones he knows about, but why? Does he NOT allow you to use the internet or is that part of your RENT. If it is part of your rent then he needs to let all of your computers connect. If you are using the internet because he has not locked you out but it is not part of the RENT then he has a right to block you if he wishes.

I will assume you are allowed to use the internet. I would still do the virus and malware check on all machines that are not working. Just because 2 machines do not work does not mean that both are NOT infected. Also if you have made Windows 7 changes to block file sharing you may have by mistake blocked other things that are affecting your internet connection. Try undoing your file sharing changes and see if things work.

southkaibab · 14 Feb 2010

I'll do the malware check, but I'll have to download the software on my old XP machine and transfer it to the new one, because the current situation is blocking me from paying for anything online, on the grounds that everybody's certificate is invalid or out of date.

The landlord isn't deliberately blocking anything and has set up the router to accept my computers. But even when his router says my laptop is online, my laptop won't in fact connect even though it's getting plenty of signal from the router.

What's a good software to check the disk again?

Many thanks to all. This site is a terrific resource.

JS