Authorize.net SIM and SSL ? Related?

[JDog21]

It may be. It may not be. Either way, fixing your SSL issue is important, and after that you'll be in a better place to determine whether the problem still exists.

It likely is related.

I have the identical problem described.

I am told that if I am using an SIM set up (and not an AIM configuration), I don't need an SSL cert. , as the transaction is being processed at Authorize.net, and not on my page itself. Is this true?


Test transactions have been doing fine until recently, and now I am getting the same error message......

If you recall, I had a problem recently where files were accidentally removed. I replaced them (it was my auto_loaders directory, actuallly, that I replaced) and my page now loads fine., But now test transactions have the above noted error message.....

I was thinking about replacing other files with new copies, but as their modifaction date (as shown on my FTP progrram) is not recent, I am not sure if this is necessary. Clearly something, somewhere, has been altered. What do you think?

Authorize.net says the problem is certainly on my end......

[JDog21]

I have discovered that the problem may be with my server response time https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=402 or two other non-related factors..........

So, this answers the question about replacing files. Or maybe not. If I have a list of files a certain module (which was accidentally partially instlalled, apparently) is supposed to affect or otherwise alter, but the "last modified" dates of those files are not recent, should I consider replacing them with fresh copies?

And my original question, is an SSL necessary on a SIM configuration?

[DrByte]

1. If using SIM, and have it set to "Offsite" mode, then you do not need SSL as far as Authnet is concerned. HOWEVER, you SHOULD still use SSL to protect your customers' addresses and other data they share with you during the shopping process. SSL certificates are cheap nowadays, so there's little reason to cheap out on that. Wouldn't you like to know that the merchant you're buying from takes privacy and security seriously?

2. If you have SSL enabled on your site, but your SSL certificate is malfunctioning or impropely installed to your domain (usually that's done by the hosting company), then visitors attempting to access your SSL pages will encounter error messages or slowness. Either slowness or error messages will trigger problems with SIM returns back to your site.

So, if you're going to use SSL, which you should, then make sure it's set up properly. That includes testing it yourself.

[DrByte]

Test transactions have been doing fine until recently, and now I am getting the same error message......

...
Clearly something, somewhere, has been altered. What do you think?

"fine until recently" certainly denotes that somethings' gotten changed.
So, yes, you need to sort out what that was/is.

[JDog21]

"fine until recently" certainly denotes that somethings' gotten changed.
So, yes, you need to sort out what that was/is.

I've replaced all of the files that could have potentially been changed by an earlier error, irrespective of their indicated "last modified" dates.

I also have a list of the potential files that could have been added, and I have verified that they are not present.

I've contacted my server, and confirmed that my connection/speed, is good. The page always loads fast, as well.

I'm doing offisite SIM transactions that do not require an SSL. I will follow your advice though, and add an SSL to protect stored data.

I'm at a loss as to what to do. I'm thinking maybe upgrading to the more recent version might "erase" some hiddden problem, but that's a long shot, at best.
I am currently using 1.3.9a

Suggestions?

[JDog21]

Any suggestions? I don't want to scrap all the work and time I've spent trying to set this up.

Upgrading to version f doesn't look feasible, either..........

De-bug logs show nothing, either....

[DrByte]

This is what I would do:

a) Switch to AIM. It should work with no problem. It does require SSL though.

b) At least *try* it, to confirm that it does work fine, even though I suspect you're likely one of those who will dig his heels in and say no because you like the SIM idea better.

c) Then if SIM is still failing, I'd begin carefully checking every file to see if anything's different: http://www.zen-cart.com/wiki/index.p...Obscure_Issues

d) I'd also look at the SIM debug logs for evidence of what is and is not happening.

e) Since it *was* working fine, I'm inclined to suggest that the problem is with something you've changed, which should be revealed in the comparison in (c) above. You could also take a backup of what you have now, and then restore from a backup you have from before the problem started, and see whether that makes any difference.

f) Worst case I'd install another uncustomized copy of Zen Cart in another folder+database, as a test, and test SIM there as well, to see whether the problem may actually be with your SIM account or maybe with your hosting, etc.

g) I'd ask Authorize.net how far the transaction is really getting, and what exactly they see as the most likely specific reason for the problem.

[JDog21]

I've arranged for an SSL, and will switch to AIM. As a an ignorant newbie, I'm somewhat worried about this, as I deduce it requires additional page development, or forms, etc. Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised.

You are correct in that I am inclined to stay with SIM. It is obviously easier to set up. I am setting up a another test site now to test it's functionality (I also want to find out how much of a "restore" one can do with merely a database backup-- I am told that restoring a database to a fresh copy of ZC essentially rebuilds the site- which I don't believe-- I will soon find out about this).

[DrByte]

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy AIM is. It keeps your customer on your site during the entire payment process, and simply does the payment transmission securely in the background. The shopping experience is seamless and more enjoyable. And setup is as simple as filling in your authnet transaction key.
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/i...hp?article=373