Forcing Secure Connections - Something I Missed

On Thursday, October 11, 2012 I wrote a post about forcing any website to use a secure https:// type connection, primarily to fix some security problems Facebook had been having, but they were a bit complicated and required downloading various (sometimes sketchy) extensions and all in all was not "ideal." But it worked so I posted it because something is better than nothing.

Facepalm*

Only just now have I realized that all of my instructions were completely unnecessary. Facebook itself has this feature already! When you are logged into Facebook In the top right hand corner click the drop down menu next to your name and click "Account Settings" and in the next page click the "security" tab on the left hand side, check the box in "Secure Browsing" and make sure to click "save Changes."

And now Facebook will always use a secure connection. Simple as that.

Of course, this only works for Facebook so if you are a particularly security conscious person and want secure connections on websites other than Facebook you will have to either check the setting on each website or follow the instructions HERE.

Thank you and enjoy your internet.

To my viewers(?)

It's been quite a while since I last posted here, but that is because fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, I haven't had any problems to fix. If I don't have problems I don't have content. Now, I know that there are some people visiting the site, as many as 14 in one day but usually only a couple, but no one is giving any feedback. If you visit the sate please, let me know what you think! tell me what I can do to make it better, if you're having a problem let me know and I'll try to fix it, if anything I've uploaded previously has helped you go ahead and say so. Just leave a comment at the bottom of any post and I'll see it. It only takes a minute.

Forcing Secure Connections

Solution Found!

Recently my friends and I have been plagued by bad connections to Facebook servers giving us a blank page when we try to view any content from Facebook. The cause is a security issue with Facebook, something went wrong on their end, BUT there is something you can do to get around it. You can force a SSL connection.

What is SSL?

Well basically an SSL connection means it is a secure and encrypted communication with a website or domain. You can tell if you are using a secure connection by looking at the address in the URL bar. If it starts with https:// then you are using a secure connection, but a plain http:// is not secure. Having said that, the first thing you should do right now if you are getting the blank Facebook page is to try https://www.facebook.com in the broken browser right now. If it loads normally then this post will explain how to make your browser always replace http:// with https:// (Because you'll notice if you click a link on Facebook it always defaults to a plain http:// even if you started with https:// and you don't want to have to type in https:// to the URL every time and refresh the page.) BUT if it does not load with that link then you have a different problem and this will not help you at all.

So how do I force SSL?

This depends on what browser you are using. Each of the big three have solutions but each is slightly different. Both Firefox and Chrome have extensions you can use to force SSL connections for specific sites and are simple to install. Unfortunately Internet Explorer is slightly more complicated seeing as it does not have support for extensions like Chrome and Firefox do.

For Chrome Users

To fix Facebook on Firefox you will need to go to https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/use-https/kbkgnojednemejclpggpnhlhlhkmfidi and click "Add To Chrome" on the Use HTTPS Extension summary and then click Add when prompted.

And That's it! Thats all you need to do, Facebook should work just fine now. The default settings on Use HTTPS are set to force Facebook and Twitter to use SSL connections. I personaly took Twitter off the list on mine but that's up to you if you want to remove it as well.

To remove or add a website to the list simply click the Chrome options button in the top right of the screen (will either be a wrench or three horizontal bars) and select "Tools" and select "Extensions." Then find Use HTTPS on the list of extensions and click "Options" just bellow the extension name. You can then add or remove websites from this page.

For Firefox Users

To fix Facebook on Firefox you will need to go to http://noscript.net/ and hit the big green download button beneath the logo on the top left hand side to download the extension. Firefox may block the extension from installing but you just need to click Allow and then click install when prompted. The last thing you need to do is to restart Firefox to let the plugin take effect.

Once you reboot Firefox if you rebooted when prompted you should see a new tab displaying THIS page. If not then just follow the link there. There you should see links to a VIDEO explaining about Noscript, a link to its FEATURES, and a link to a FAQ.

Now, the first thing you should do is to try to log onto Facebook. If it installed correctly with the default settings you should notice that it will redirect you to the https:// version and Facebook should load normally with the exception of a banner along the top that says "For a better experience on Facebook, enable JavaScript in your browser, or switch to our mobile site." This is because Noscript's default settings turn Javascript off on all sites. to fix this you just need to go down to the bottom of the page and click on "Options" and select "Allow Scripts Globally (dangerous)."

This will tell you that it is potentially dangerous to allow scripts on all sites, and technically this is true but since it is impossible for the computer to tell what scripts are good and what scripts are bad the only way to be "safe" from them is to use none of them, but this would prevent you from using things like Facebook's chat. Go ahead and turn Scripts on Globally, its just as safe as what you have already been doing for years.

This should be enough to fix the Facebook problem but if you want to get more specific you can always visit http://noscript.net/ and use the tutorials on that site.

For Internet Explorer Users

The solution for Internet Explorer requires installing a custom user script. you can find the user script at http://www.iescripts.org/view-scripts-880p1.htm but in order for this script to be installed you need to go to http://www.ie7pro.com/ and download IE7Pro. Now, unfortunately in the process of installing IE7Pro it will try to get you to install a toolbar (optional) and will force you to install some sort of coupon add shopping extension as well. I don't want that on my computer so I'm not going to show you a specific tutorial on how to fix it but you have the link if you want to install it yourself. It's a very simple installation, just go to http://www.ie7pro.com/ and click the download button in the center of the screen, it will bring you to a download page and the download should start on its own. It will give you a popup in the bottom asking if you want to run the file, and if you hit yes the install wizard will walk you through the rest.

Once you have that installed you can go to http://www.iescripts.org/view-scripts-880p1.htm and in the top right corner of the page will be three buttons, "Install Script" "Download Script" and "Add To favorites." If you have IE7Pro installed you should be able to download and then install the script and that should force all Facebook domains to use SSL connections.

Disclaimer: I do not suggest using this as a "solution" to fixing Facebook on Internet Explorer, honestly it looks like spam. I would suggest changing browsers completely and using Firefox or better yet Chrome, butt hat is just my opinion. Take it for what it is.

And there you have it, a solution to the blank Facebook Problem! It's possible you might experience slower responses from Facebook when using these extensions but this is to be expected since you are asking it to do more processes every time you click a link, but I think it's worth being able to use Facebook as it was meant to be used.

Thank you, and enjoy your internet.

Blankbook

Edit: Solution (kinda) See bottom!

After nearly a full day of attempting to find a solution to the Blank Facebook problem everyone seems to be having I can only conclude that the problem is with Facebook itself. Deleting the Browsing Data changes nothing, Incognito/Private Browsing doesn't work, I've run 3 different scans from 3 different anti malware programs and each has come up clean, It seems there is nothing on my computer that could be causing the problems for me at least.

I did find something though. But it suggests its a problem with one of the servers Facebook uses to send out the websites information to a computer.

I opened Chrome, hit F12 to open the console, tried to load Facebook, and was greeted with this:

Everything red in those screenshots is a call to a program or a call to a piece of information that either does not exist or that the browser is not allowed to access. Whichever it may be the problem is with whichever server is hosting the information.

Unfortunately it seems like all we can do is wait until Facebook fixes the servers.

Edit: A friend of mine reminded me of something. There are several different ways to access Facebook. Generally we all just type www.facebook.com and we're done, but he reminded me that m.facebook.com can be used which gives you the mobile version of the site, and that reminded me that you can also use https://www.faceook.com where the s in https:// (usually just http://) stands for SECURE.

Fortunately the https:// URL DOES WORK on a "broken" browser that has been getting the blank page and should give you all the features Facebook has to offer (Though that may exclude games, I'm not sure I don't play them, that is something you will need to check yourself. Feel free to say in the comments if it does or not.

Unfortunately this probably means Facebook is having security issues. And that's just not good for anyone.

IMPORTANT: If Facebook is blank read this

Facebook Is Blank!

Recently I fixed a neighbors computer, all of that is detailed in The Facebug but I ran across something while fixing their laptop. When you went to Facebook and logged in all you got was something like this:

(Chrome)

(Firefox)

At the time it was only on Internet Explorer and my neighbor was only concerned with Chrome so I decided to leave it. It's unfortunate that I didn't fix it right then because if I had then I might have had a solution already. As it stands I do not.

It's important to note that this is a 100% different problem than I talked about in The Facebug so if you had this problem and followed the instructions I gave you and got upset that it didn't work this is why.

I'm working on a solution right now but its possible that as Facebook users there is nothing we can do. It's possible that the problem is with Facebook servers themselves, not our browsers. I'm not sure if that's the case but it certainly seems like it. For me I get this problem on Firefox and Chrome (Internet Explorer survived) but it literally happened overnight. I woke up, opened the internet, and Facebook is blank.

The only way I've seen it fixed so far works on Chrome and it just requires you to do a full reboot. Shut your computer down and let it go through all of its shutdown procedures and then once its off boot it back up. My mother did this when Chrome and Firefox had it and now Chrome seems to work again, so no promises but it's as good a thing to do as any.

If you have/had this problem PLEASE write me a comment here on this post telling me what Browser you are using, what Operating System you are running, how long you have had the problem, anything you have tried to fix it, and anything else that seems important relating to the problem. You can never go wrong with too much information.

Thank you, enjoy whats left of your internet.

Edit: Update on the situation HERE.

The Facebug

Recently a number of family and friends have been complaining about "Facebook not working" and how they cannot do certain things such as use chat, open links or photos, or view their wall. I decided to start a blog as a recourse for them and anyone else who has problems with computers or internet or really anything tech that they may not understand. This first tutorial is about fixing this Facebook bug that seems to be quite popular.

Edit: If Facebook is completely blank this will not help. That is a completely different problem. I'm working on a solution but if you have experienced this please read THIS post.

Temporarily Disabling Extensions and Trackers

The first thing you want to do is make sure the problem is in fact browsing data and to do that you need to disable all extensions and cookies and other tracking data. If the problems are still showing up after trying this then you have a different problem and would need a more specific solution.

Incognito/Private/InPrivate Browsing

Chrome Users

At the top right most corner of the window there should be a button either shaped lie a wrench/spanner or three horizontal lines. Click this and select "New incognito window."

Firefox Users

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button that says Firefox. Click this and select "Start Private Browsing."

Note: If you are a Firefox user and have the Menu Bar active (no orange button) then you need to click "Tools" and select "Start Private Browsing."

Internet Explorer Users

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button shaped like a small gear. Click this and select "Safety" and then select "InPrivate Browsing."

This will open a new instance of Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer only it will disable all extensions, browsing data, cookies, themes, anything you downloaded for your browser. It is essentially a pure version of the browser as you first downloaded it which makes it ideal for troubleshooting.

Once you have a save version of your preferred browser open you need to open Facebook and log in as normal. (Remember: Your browsing data has temporarily disabled so if you rely heavily on the "Keep me signed in" function you will have to enter your full Facebook login information) If Facebook loads correctly and the problems are gone this means that you accidentally picked up some sort of cookie or tracking data that is either malicious or poorly constructed that is interfering with your browser's ability to display Facbook OR it means that you have somehow installed a malicious or poorly constructed extension that is interfering with your browser's ability to display Facebook.

Kill the Malware

At this point you can close the safe browser and open the browser again like normal. Next we want to actually remove the problem now that we have diagnosed it.

Removing Extensions and Add-ons

Removing Extensions and Add-ons is the most convenient solution to try first because if the problem is a malicious app and not a problem with your browsing data you don't have to delete all your web trackers and cookies that save all your passwords. (Though it may be a good idea to delete them every once in a while anyway)

Chrome Users

At the top right most corner of the window there should be a button either shaped lie a wrench/spanner or three horizontal lines. Click this and select "Settings." This will open a new tab. Select "Extensions" from the list on the left hand side. This will show you a list of all apps and extensions that have been installed into Chrome.

Firefox Users

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button that says Firefox. Click this and select "Add-ons." This will open a new tab. Select "Extensions" from the list on the left hand side. This will show you a list of all apps and extensions that have been installed into Firefox.

Note: Firefox also has Plugins in addition to Extensions. On the left hand list below "Appearance" select "Plugins" for a list of all installed Plugins. Plugins operate the same as Extensions so follow the same instructions for Firefox extensions when disabling/deleting Plugins.

Note: Plugins are important to your browsers functionality. Do not delete Plugins if you don't know what it is. You don't want to end up breaking a plugin that is actually important. Try deleting Extensions and Browsing Data first before changing Plugins.

Note: If you are a Firefox user and have the Menu Bar active (no orange button) then you need to click "Tools" and select "Add-ons."

Internet Explorer Users

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button shaped like a small gear. Click this and select "Manage add-ons." This will open a new window. Select "Toolbars and Extensions" from the list on the left hand side if it is not already selected. This will show you a list of all apps and extensions that have been installed into Internet Explorer.

Once you have the list of Extensions and Add-ons open you need look at what you have installed. Is there anything installed? In Chrome and Firefox it's possible you will have an empty list if you are not a heavy internet user, and if so you can skip to Removing Browsing Data. If you are using Internet explorer or you have Add-ons or Extensions installed check for anything you don't recognize. If you don't recall installing it yourself and/or it looks like it may be spam go ahead and Disable it.

To disable in Chrome make sure the "Enabled" check box is unchecked.

To disable in Firefox click the "Disable" button to the left of the extension name.

To disable in Internet Explorer right click on the Add-on you wish to disable and select "Disable."

Once the offending programs have been disabled log back into Facebook and check to see if the problems have been fixed. If they have then you simply need to delete the Extensions and Add-ons you previously disabled and then you can disregard the rest of the tutorial.

To delete an Extension in Chrome simply click the trash icon to the immediate right of the "Enable" check box.

Unfortunately In both Firefox and Internet Explorer it seems you cannot directly uninstall Add-ons, Extensions, and Plugins. (More reason to use chrome?) I'm sure there is a way but if there is it does not seem to be directly accessible for the average user. You will have to be content with simply disabling the programs for now.

Removing Browsing Data.

If removing Extensions or Add-ons did not solve the problem, or if you have no Extensions or Add-ons the problem is most likely in your browsing data and needs to be deleted.

Chrome Users

At the top right most corner of the window there should be a button either shaped lie a wrench/spanner or three horizontal lines. Click this and select "Tools" and then select "Clear browsing data." This will open a new tab. Make sure to select "the beginning of time"  from the drop down menu, make sure the top four check boxes are checked, and click "Clear browsing data." This will delete most unnecessary web trackers, malicious programs, and other cookies while still keeping things like saved passwords intact.

Note: This may not solve the problem. It may be necessary to clear your data once again but to select additional check boxes before clicking "Clear browsing data" again. I Have seen at least one instance where Facebook's chat features were not showing up in Chrome and I had to delete ALL browsing data before it was fixed.

Firefox User

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button that says Firefox. Click this and select "Options" and then select "Options" again. This will open a new window. Select "Privacy" from the list along the top of the window and select "clear your recent history." This will open a second new window. Make sure to select "Everything" from the drop down menu, make sure to check all the check boxes, and click "Clear now." This will delete any web trackers, malicious programs, passwords and other cookies.

Note: If you are a Firefox user and have the Menu Bar active (no orange button) then you need to click "Tools" and select "Clear Recent History." This will open a new tab where you select what you wish to delete from your history.

Internet Explorer

At the top left most corner of the window there should be an orange button shaped like a small gear. Click this and select "Safety" and then select "Delete browsing history." This will open a new window. Make sure that all check boxes are checked and click "Delete."

Now go to Facebook once more and if all went well the problems should be gone.

If not feel free to leave a comment with as much information as you can about the symptoms and I will get back to you.

This Tutorial is for Facebook specifically because it seems there is a small virus or malware type bug going around heavy Facebook users but this will fix any website, not just Facebook.

If this was helpful please share it on Facebook or Google+ or whatever your preferred network/form of communication is. The more people who come to the site the more problems I will be able to cover, and that may just save you some stress down the road.

Thank you and enjoy your internet.