certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate

How to Fix the "certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate" Error in Python 🐍

So, you're trying to fetch data from a website using Python, but you keep getting the dreaded "certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate" error. 😩 Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll walk you through the common causes of this error and provide you with easy solutions to fix it. Let's dive in! 💪

The Issue at Hand 🤔

You mentioned that you're using Python 3.7 on Mac OS High Sierra and trying to fetch a CSV file from a secure source using the urllib.request package. However, you encounter the following error message:

certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate (_ssl.c:1045)

This error typically occurs when the SSL certificate presented by the website being accessed cannot be verified by your local machine. Essentially, Python is unable to confirm the authenticity and trustworthiness of the website's certificate.

Solution 1: Disabling SSL Verification (Not Recommended) 🚫

One quick workaround you mentioned is changing the URL from https to http. While this may prevent the error from occurring, it's important to note that disabling SSL verification can pose security risks. It removes the essential step of validating the website's certificate, leaving your connection vulnerable to potential threats.

So, instead of disabling SSL verification altogether, let's look at more secure solutions that will address the issue properly.

Solution 2: Installing the Certifi Package 📦

A more robust solution involves installing the certifi package. Certifi is a Python package that provides a curated collection of SSL certificates. By using Certifi, you can ensure that your Python code trusts a wide range of SSL certificates, including the one presented by the website you're accessing.

To install Certifi, simply run the following command in your terminal:

pip install certifi

After installing Certifi, import it in your Python script before making any requests:

import certifi

This will enable the SSL certificate verification using the Certifi collection, resolving the "certificate verify failed" error.

Solution 3: Running the Install Certificates Script 📜

Another method that has proven to be effective is running the Install Certificates.command script, which is bundled with Python on Mac OS.

To run the script, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal.

2. Navigate to the location where your Python installation is located by using the cd command. For example, if you installed Python 3.7 in the default location, you would run:

   cd /Applications/Python\ 3.7/

3. Once you're in the correct directory, run the Install Certificates.command script:

   ./Install\ Certificates.command

Running this script will update the SSL certificate store on your Mac, resolving the "certificate verify failed" error.

Learning More About Security and Certificates 📚

It's great to see your interest in learning more about security and certificates! Understanding these concepts is crucial in today's digital landscape.

To deepen your knowledge, we recommend checking out the following resources:

• Mozilla's SSL/TLS Configuration Generator: A handy tool that generates secure SSL/TLS configurations for various web servers.

• OWASP Top Ten Project: An excellent resource that highlights the top ten web application security risks.

• SSL.com: A comprehensive website that covers everything related to SSL certificates and their implementation.

By exploring these resources, you'll gain a solid foundation in security and certificates, which will empower you to tackle similar issues confidently.

Have More Questions? Engage with Us! 💬

We hope this guide helped you resolve the "certificate verify failed: unable to get local issuer certificate" error. If you have any further questions or need more assistance, don't hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out to us on Twitter. We're here to help! 🙌

Remember, security plays a critical role in today's interconnected world. By understanding and implementing proper security measures, you can safeguard yourself and your applications from potential threats. Stay secure, and happy coding! 💻🔒