Error Message: An Error Occurred in the Secure Channel Support

• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 5 for Windows 95
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.0, 3.01, 3.02a, 3.03, 4.0, 4.01 for Windows NT 3.51
• Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.01, 3.02, 4.0, 4.01, 4.01 Service Pack 1, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5 for Windows 98

SYMPTOMS

When you try to connect to a secure Web site, you may receive the following error message:

Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site https://<address>
An error occurred in the secure channel support

CAUSE

This error message can occur if the server uses a certificate with a nonstandard length. The nonstandard length results in a nonstandard public key length, which Internet Explorer does not support. Internet Explorer supports only public keys with standard lengths (such as 512 bits, 1024 bits, 2048 bits, and so on).

RESOLUTION

To be compatible with Internet Explorer, the site using the nonstandard public key length should generate a new certificate request using a standard length (such as 512, 1024, or 2048 bits). The site then needs to obtain a new corresponding certificate.

As a possible workaround, re-register the Rsabase.dll file by clicking Start, clicking Run, typing regsvr32 rsabase.dll in the Open box, and then clicking OK.

Additional query words: ssl unconventional occured

Keywords          : kberrmsg msiew95 msient win98 msiew98 
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.01,3.02,3.02a,3.03,4.0,4.01,4.01 Service Pack 1,5
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: March 25, 1999