SSL Certificate Errors Amazon S3 Buckets Using FireFox 3.5.2 and S3Fox

When adding a new bucket (SSL connection) to Amazon S3 or accessing an existing bucket inside of the S3 Firefox Organizer (S3Fox) from Firefox 3.5.2, you’ll encounter an error.

Mozilla changed how you could add an “exception” certificate to the Firefox Certificate Manager when you see this dialog window

Screen shot 2009-09-06 at 8.22.06 PM

To add an exception certificate, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Firefox Preferences control
  2. Click the Advanced icon
  3. Click the Encryption tab
  4. Click the View Certificates button

    Screen shot 2009-09-06 at 7.48.45 PM

  5. Click the Servers tab
  6. Click the Add Exceptions… button
  7. In the Location: field, type the S3 bucketname + server’s URL and click the Get Certificate button

    Screen shot 2009-09-06 at 7.50.05 PM

  8. Wait as the Certificate Manager checks the Certificate Status
  9. In a moment Wrong Site and Unknown Identity errors appear in the Certificate Status.
  10. Place a checkmark next to Permanently store this exception
  11. Click the Confirm Security Exception button.

    Screen shot 2009-09-06 at 7.50.13 PM

  12. Check that your “exception” certificate has been added:

    Screen shot 2009-09-06 at 7.50.32 PM

  13. Click the OK button and close the preferences window.
  14. You should be able to access or add content to the S3 bucket now.