[jonjacobik]

I have a customer that can access any site on the Net without problems unless a secure connection is required. SSL2 and SSL3 are enabled on Iexplore Ver 6. Computer is a 6 month old Dell P4 2.2 Ghz 4400 something. OS is XP Home.

Amusing problem - Windows Update won't. An incomplete error

This computer has a wireless connection to a Linksys router - then cable.

There is no security/encryption enabled on the Wireless connection. Does that have something to do with the problem?

My laptop, configured Identically seems to work fine on the net and the computer directly connected to the router can access any site without problems.

I'm stuck. Ideas?

 

[Pseudocyber]

Any firewall software running?

 

[jonjacobik]

No external firewall. XP's might be turned on, I didn't check. Firewalls inhibit SSL? The wireless was set up by the cable guy. He didn't even try to keep out the neighbors, so I doubt there are any other controlls. Looks like they just plugged it in and left it.

 

[Pseudocyber]

I have seen "real" firewalls block SSL. Not home ones though. What kind of wireless equipment is it? I wouldn't think it's not forwarding the port, or has to have that set up, but I guess it depends on the router/NAT/firewall/Wireless.

 

[jonjacobik]

SSL Problem -Microsoft to blame

Solution was found on MS knowledge base article 813442.

They are to blame. A DLL file called softpub.dll didn't register correctly during an update. It probably was an error that occurred during the installation of SP1. (they don't confess to details.)

The result was a digital signing issue . . almost always passed through an ssl connection

 

[johnwill]

Your problem isn't the lack of encryption on the wireless link, but it's foolish to run the wireless that way.

 

[jonjacobik]

Not my network, a customer's network. They pay me to fix em.

 

[johnwill]

I guess you get to fix them more often if they leave the barn door open and let anyone in to muck around, right? I have a friend that roams the halls of his work with a handheld computer looking for illegal wireless hookups to the corporate network. When he drives up to my place from his house (12 miles), he sees over 20 wireless networks on the way, and only two of them (one mine) are secured. Pretty sad...

 

[jonjacobik]

I like the brighter side. In a few years it will be difficult to find a place where you won't be able to access the net just turning on your laptop. . . free access to anywhere.