HTTPS/Browser Recommendations

Wikimedia encourages its readers to use modern web browsers which support secure internet connections. Below are recommendations for how to update to a modern web browser.

Many older computers, mobile devices or web browsers only support outdated cryptographic methods that are becoming insecure in the face of modern attacks. Wikimedia will no longer support these outdated cryptographic methods to ensure security against eavesdropping and interferance (man-in-the-middle attacks). Many other sites on the Internet also require (or will require) a strong minimum levels of cryptographic abilities from your computer or mobile device. Keeping up-to-date with security updates from web browsers and operating systems will be essential for staying secure and continuing full access to all websites on the Internet.

Advice

For all users

• Please make sure you have applied the latest security updates to your operating system and have updated your web browser. Remember that for most browsers and devices, they will only be updated after you fully close them and restart them.
• Disable or uninstall any 3rd party "anti-virus" software. Most of them do more harm than good when they interfere with your browser's secure connections.

For users of Microsoft Windows

• Windows XP
  • If you must use Windows XP, install and use Firefox 52 ESR instead of Internet Explorer to access our sites.
  • If possible, please upgrade to Windows 7 or higher, or any other operating system available. Windows XP has very serious security flaws.
• Windows Vista
  • If you must use Windows Vista, install and use Firefox 52 ESR instead of Internet Explorer to acces our sites.
  • You should upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 10.
• Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10
  • You should upgrade the Microsoft Edge browser or switch to a different browser such as Firefox, Chrome, or Opera.
  • You can use Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7, but you might need to open Settings and click the checkbox to "Enable TLS 1.2" under Internet Options -> Advanced -> (Security section)
  • Please also ensure you stay up-to-date on security updates from Windows Update, and ensure you regularly upgrade your alternative browser if applicable.

For users of Apple Mac OS X

Upgrade your operating system to Mac OS 10.11 (El Capitan) or higher if your hardware supports it. If that is not possible, upgrade to the latest Mac OS release available for your computer, and consider installing an alternate secure browser instead of Safari. Such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera.

For users of Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod

Upgrade to iOS version 9 (or higher) if supported on your device. If your device is too old for iOS 9, consider a device upgrade. Check to ensure you have the latest version of whatever browser you may use in the App Store.

For users of Android devices

Upgrade to the latest version of Android that is possible for your device. Consider a device upgrade if your Android software cannot be upgraded to at least version 4.4, which was initially released by Google in 2013. Check the Play Store (or vendor-specific app store) to ensure you've installed the latest updates to core components and the browser (usually Chrome).

For IT personnel that manage outbound Proxy appliances

Please ensure you are running the latest stable software release from your vendor, and that you keep up with this regularly. Please also consult your vendor and/or their documentation as to how you may need to configure your outbound proxy to support stronger TLSv1.2+ encryption with Forward Secrecy and AEAD ciphers.

Logs for Wikipedia have indicated that there are many requests from corporate desktop browsers that meet the version requirements of operating system, web browser, and device - but still suffer from downgraded cipher choice when communicating over the Internet due to outdated or poorly configured outbound proxies.

You may use an online tester to check which ciphers are supported by your the browser you are currently using, such as the one provided by Qualys (SSL Labs).

See also

• mw:Compatibility#Browsers