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Canvas & Other Websites: Connection Not Private Error
Updated: 4 Oct 2021 at 10:46am
Users accessing Canvas and some other websites might be getting an error in their browser saying their connection is not private.
This is happening because these sites uses Let’s Encrypt certificates for secure HTTPS connections, and their old root certificate expired on 30th September 2021. This means if you’re using an older operating system or browser that doesn’t know about the new root certificate you will get the error.
To fix this issue, you’ll need to make sure you’ve updated your operating system or browser to the latest version(s). This website has more comprehensive details about the issue, but in short make sure you’re running at least the following, along with the latest version of whatever web browser you use:
- Windows 7 or higher
- macOS 10.12.1 or higher
- Ubuntu 16.04 or higher
- iOS 10 or higher
- Android 7.1.1 or higher
Note that some of the operating systems listed above are older and now unsupported (for example, Windows 7), so although these will support the new certificate and allow you to access the site you should update to the latest version you can (for example, macOS 11 or Windows 10).
For those of you using macOS, we’ve written some instructions in our Knowledge Base explaining how to upgrade, and what alternatives you can try if you can’t. See https://kb.bham.ac.uk/KB15835
Users on other older operating systems should try the latest version of Firefox available to them.
Many websites use Let’s Encrypt and so over time you will notice a number of other websites giving the same error message if you do not update your software. Having up to date and secure software is essential for keeping yourself safe online.
Exchange Email: System Maintenance
Updated: 20 Oct 2021 at 3:45pm | Maintenance Window: 25 Oct 2021 5:00pm to 26 Oct 2021 4:00pm
IT Services are performing some maintenance on our Exchange System system overnight on the 25th October 2021. This is to lay the groundwork for us moving staff email accounts to our Exchange Online service.
The maintenance involves us making a chance to how Outlook clients connect to our servers. If you’re still using an old version of Outlook, for example Outlook 2010, you may find it will stop working after this upgrade is completed. On your University Windows device you can update Outlook to a newer version by upgrading to Office 365, which can be installed via the Software Centre on your device.
If you have issues connecting after this, please contact the IT Service Desk for assistance.
Removal of unlicensed versions of Oracle Java from University PCs and laptops
Updated: 4 Oct 2021 at 10:23am
In January 2019, Oracle changed the licensing of Java on computers which means the software is no longer free. Oracle Java is a software programming language and there are some applications and websites that will not work unless you have Java installed on your laptop or PC.
There are some University applications will still require Oracle Java to be installed in order to run and we have purchased licenses for those devices where we have identified this to be necessary. We have also identified a number of devices across the University where an unlicensed version of Oracle Java is installed but is not being used to run University applications. We will begin to remove the software from these devices so that the University does not incur any additional license fees.
How will this impact me?
Oracle Java will only be allowed to be installed on a device running the following software:
- Mimsy
- Oracle WCC/BOXI
- JDeveloper/SQLDeveloper/SQLcl
- Guild CCTV/Legacy Cisco Switches
- AltaHR
- RAS
If you do not use any of the following applications then Oracle Java will be removed from your device.
When is this change happening?
Unlicensed installations of Oracle Java will be removed from devices on Monday, 11 October from 8.00am.
What if I still need Java?
If you use another application that requires Java to run, and which is not listed above, then we have made a free Open-Source version of the Java software available to download from the Software Centre. The software is called Eclipse Temurin JDK and JRE. You should check to see if your application will run under this Open Source version.
If you believe your application is licensed to install the Oracle version of Java then please complete the request software form to ensure it doesn’t automatically get removed again. You will need to include the name of your PC or laptop. You can find instructions on how to find this information here. You’ll also need to provide necessary information to prove that the software is licensed for use to satisfy the request.
Questions?
Further information about this Change can be found in or Knowledge Base article KB15793. If you have any further questions please contact the IT Service Desk.