Vodafone Broadband – Website security certificate coming from Vodafone Content Control even though it’s switched off

I’ve just recently moved from BT to Vodafone broadband and all is well – apart from a strange error while using Reddit and Imgur.  Other users seem to have had the issue too as there are a few message on the Vodafone forums.

From user IC7

I’m using Vodafone home broadband and when i try to access the https version of imgur I get the following error from google chrome-

Your connection is not private

Attackers might be trying to steal your information from i.imgur.com

when I go into the advanced info tab it tells me –

This server could not prove that it is i.imgur.com; its security certificate is from contentcontrol.vodafone.co.uk. This may be caused by a mis-configuration or an attacker intercepting your connection.

I’m confused as to why this occurs as vodafone content control says it is off on my account page. And it only seems to happen to this website.

This is exceedingly annoying as by default the links on reddit open to the https version of imgur on desktop website and mobile app meaning I can barely use the website.

Does anyone know why this is happening or how to fix it?

Like the user above I have all safety settings off – but this certificate issue stops me seeing pics.

I did a quick test using a VPN and I could then see all the images no problem – I assume because we’re now bypassing the Vodafone filters.

I think I have a workaround thanks to the Vodaphone Router now being able to change DNS.

Here are the steps:

• log into the router admin – 192.168.1.1,
• choose INTERNET / DNS & DDNS page,
• set DNS to manual
• enter Google open DNS which are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

By avoiding using Vodafone’s own DNS service we seem to get around the Content Controls, thus avoiding the errors.

Hope that helps someone :o)