can't access https, anything secure

[kanezfan]

There's a computer at work that cannot connect to any secure servers. I can't access any https websites, and AVG anti-virus cannot download updates by itself, complaining that the server can't be found. I ran the new MS spyware app, it found and destroyed 43 programs, I also did a full system scan with AVG after manually downloading virus definitions (The server that holds the manual defs isn't on an https server) although I haven't checked back since the virus scan to see if these steps helped resolve the situation. Do you guys know what would cause a computer to all of a sudden not be able to connect to secure servers?

[primesuspect]

Have yopu tried different browsers? I mean, can it not access HTTPS in either IE or Firefox?

[Gravite2090]

This sort of thing happens all the time with IE 5.5 and below. Check your encryption in IE by going to help-->about .. my first guess is it's at 0bit. This happens on occasion.

[kanezfan]

Have yopu tried different browsers? I mean, can it not access HTTPS in either IE or Firefox?

It doesn't work with IE, or Firefix, and even AVG can't download its updates automatically, which I'm guessing is because the update files are hosted on a secure server. It's like Windows can't resolve any secure addresses.

[kanezfan]

This sort of thing happens all the time with IE 5.5 and below. Check your encryption in IE by going to help-->about .. my first guess is it's at 0bit. This happens on occasion.

IE says cypher strength is 128bit. I don't think it's an IE thing though because Firefox can't do https either, and AVG can't download updates on its own.

[Gravite2090]

what OS is it? id actually consider a system restore if you can't htink of anything that has changed. New firewall by chance? Any new user accounts on the computer? New proxy?

[Gravite2090]

i seem to remember from my last job this coming up too, the dll softpub.dll is what supports encryption i think. you may want to register it, even though it should be registered by default

[kanezfan]

Yeah I'm at the point where a full re-install is looking good, this computer has been infested with spyware and viruses forever, it's just a waste of time to even bother trying to fix it at this point.

I found that softpub.dll file, but how do I register it?

[kanezfan]

regsvr32, but it didn't work, forget it, I'm just re-installing everything, I've had it with this crap.

[Gravite2090]

godspeed! ;D

[Giancanna]

Eh, just for future reference since you're re-installing fresh. Any software with the purpose of protection could be getting in the way of secure server (https) protocols. I know for a fact Norton Internet Security does, and you have to disable it while doing secure server data transactions.
Also you say it's a computer at work, which may mean there is a proxy server in use, you CAN use proxies for a secure https connection, but the settings have to reflect that and be configured to do so. That would all be in the internet settings on how it handles protocols in the case of a proxy.
Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Connections tab -> LAN settings button

Good luck on the reinstall and in the future :)