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http://www.bitsandkits.co.uk/ is a bits seller, these last 2 days I tried to place an order for some bits but I keep getting the message that secure-57.co.uk can't be connected to in a secure way. I've tried using different browsers, Chrome just refuse to load and Firefox (my main browser) says no secure connection can be made.

Errorcode: sec_error_unknown_issuer

secure-57.co.uk is using an invalid safetysertificate.

Also tells me if you normally don't have this problem it could mean that someone else is trying to pretend to be the website.

I can add an exception that would let me bypass this but I've never had this problem before and I'd rather not give my details to some hacker or whatever is going on.


Could someone else see if they have this problem?

All you need to do is go to the website (works no problem) and click Advanced Search, Log In or Register at the bottom as all those options connects to the secure-57.co.uk webpage.

Just me or something going on?

The link works for me?

 notprop wrote:
The link works for me?

The site works just fine for me but the secure bits of it doesn't.

Here is the Advanced Search link: https://secure-57.co.uk/bitsandkits.co.uk/ssl/advanced_search.html?sesid=mr5vtddcmg74rrh4cfeq86i682

Do you get an error when using this link?

I don't.

Here is a picture of the screen I get when I go to Advanced Search, Login, Register or Checkout to pay for my cart

There is something wrong with their security certificate. Just contact the company and tell them, don't add an exception and don't send any financial information to that site until the problem is fixed. Its probably nothing more serious than a faulty certificate, but its better to be safe than sorry.

Are you going through some sort of proxy?
Do you have any issues looking at other secure sites?

I looked at their certificate and it looks okay to me.

That means their security certificate is invalid for whatever reason. While it could mean they've been hacked or something sinister, more than likely it's just an IT issue. They may not even be aware of it, so you may want to fire an e-mail off to them and let them know.

Chromium isn't throwing an error on the cert and looking at it, I don't see any issues.

It was issued recently (7/17/14) so maybe their old cert expired and you've cached it?

I've tried to contact them loads of times these past few months with questions and order info, I've contacted them about 5 times in the last 3 months and I've never received a reply. Sent an email 3 days ago about this issue and used the contact form today but I don't think I will get a reply.


About 30min ago I could not connect with Chrome, now I can and get no errors. Firefox still says it's unsecure.

It looks like they are just using an SSL that is shared by lots of domains. You will get a mismatch if the ssl the domain is issued to is different to the domain it is actually securing.

Its only a few pounds to get a dedicated ssl cert though.

Just to add your browser might not know the issuer which is ALPHA SSL. They are a CA

Anyone else who uses firefox having this problem or is it just me?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

rigeld2 wrote:
Are you going through some sort of proxy?
Do you have any issues looking at other secure sites?

I looked at their certificate and it looks okay to me.

I do not use proxy and have no problems what so ever with other secure sites I've tried (my bank, ebay, paypal)

Works in Firefox for me.

Oh boy. Maybe its karma that got them? Decent service from them until I asked that they stop spamming me and remove me from their mailing list...they were so rude that, at this point, I'd rather use a proxy than order a needed bit from them again.

http://www.nominet.org.uk/whois/lookup?query=bitsandkits.co.uk doesn't match the "contact us" part of their page, but might just be a home address. They're registered until at least next year.

Going to http://secure-57.co.uk/ gives "This shop has now closed.".
Both domains are owned by "Heart Internet Ltd t/a Heart Internet", on behalf of "Pace Commerce Ltd". Pace Comms does eCommerce.
It looks like a problem with B&Ks site talking to Pace's back-end.

Something odd about the site. I made an order last week and I'm sure my CC went through, but I received no confirmation email and it doesnt appear in my account info. All of the bits in my order are now sold out and if you click on any of them it shows the other bits that were part of my order under "people who recently bought this also bought". This bits were pretty random so I doubt its a coincidence. As I said, something is off.

MadCowCrazy,

To put it bluntly, Bits and kits is absolute garbage. I swear he doesn't even send out a lot of orders. And good luck getting into contact if something goes wrong. He speaks poison with two tongues. Take this as a blessing. These are just a few examples of what I'm talking about.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/584179.page
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/562931.page#6245498
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/532214.page#6175382
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/483393.page#5073052


Now, take this opportunity to visit other stores and give them your business. I've ordered from all of these guys dozes of times without a hitch.

Bitz Store
Mega Bitz Shop
Black Dagger Games
Hoard o Bits


I haven't tried them before, but there's also
Euro Bitz