ALERT MESSAGE: Could not initialize the browser security component

Post date: Mar 27, 2011 2:19:55 AM

• • FireFox stopped connecting to Internet, with ALERT MESSAGE: "Could not initialize the browser security component"

  • This worked for me: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Could_not_initialize_the_browser_security_component

    • Corrupted file

      • The file cert8.db in your profile folder may have become corrupted. Delete this file while the application (Firefox, SeaMonkey, etc) is closed. To do this on Windows machines:

    • Close the application by choosing File -> Exit.

    • Open your profile folder in Windows Explorer.

    • Click on the file named cert8.db.

    • Press delete.

    • Restart the application. cert8.db will be recreated when you do so

      • On Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows 7, you can also use this path to find the profile folder, even when it is hidden:

      • %APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile folder>

%APPDATA% is a variable represents the C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>Application Data folder on Windows 2000/XP and the C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming folder on Windows vista and Windows 7.

To find a profile folder in the default location on Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7:

• 1. Press "Windows key + R" to open the Run box

  2. (or, you can click "Start → Run..." on Windows 2000/XP)

  3. In the Run box, type in %APPDATA%

  4. Click OK. A Windows Explorer window will appear.

  5. In this window, choose Mozilla → Firefox → Profiles.

Each folder in the "Profiles" folder (e.g., "xxxxxxxx.default") is a profile on your computer.