Installing web security certificates
Many secure University websites require security certificates to ensure secure data transmission. Most browsers don't experience issues when accessing services and receive the certificate automatically. However, if you experience a certificate error, download the two most common certificates from http://www.it.northwestern.edu/bin/docs/Certificates.zip and import them into your browser.
Once you download the .zip file, extract the files to a folder on your desktop.
Firefox
- Open the Tools menu and select Options.
- Select the Advanced icon followed by the Encryption tab.
- Click View Certificates.
- Under the Authorities tab, click Import.
- Navigate to the unzipped files.
- Select one file, click Open, then OK.
- Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the remaining file.
Chrome
- From the menu in the upper right-hand corner, select Settings.
- Select Show Advanced Settings > Manage Certificates.
- Click Import to start the Certificate Import Wizard.
- Click Next, then Browse.... and locate and select the .zip file you saved on your desktop.
- Select Automatically select the certificate store... and click Next.
- Click Next, then Finish.
Internet Explorer
- Go to File > Open > Browse and navigate to the unzipped files.
- Select one file, click Open, then OK.
- Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the remaining file.
Safari
- Launch Keychain Access.
- Go to File > Import items.... and select the extracted file.
- From the Destination Keychain drop-down menu, select system, then click Open.
- If prompted, input your password to complete the installation.
- After installation, you may be prompted to configure some further settings. If prompted, from the When using this certificate... dropdown menu, select Always Trust.
