X-Chat Aqua Rizon IRC Connection Error, Connection failed. Error: self signed certificate.? (18)

While getting my new Macbook laptop running OSX Lion running I decided to test X-Chat Aqua as my preferred IRC client. So far I like the interface and it reminds me of using X-Chat on Windows so many of the settings are similar. Also I have not found any functions that I require that the software will not accomplish. When making my initial connection to the Rizon IRC or Internet Relay Chat network using SSL I received an error as noted below. The error is easy to resolve using the information below.

Error Making SSL Connection Rizon IRC Network Using X-Chat Aqua On OSX Lion:

Error Text: Connection failed. Error: self signed certificate.? (18)

To resolve this error you simply need to enable X-Chat Aqua to allow invalid certificates. This needs to be done for each IRC server that has a self signed certificate that you want to make connections to. In this example I was attempting to make a connection to irc.rizon.net via SSL on port 7000. To allow the connection to the IRC server to allow invalid certificates open the Server List found in the File drop down when X-Chat Aqua is active. Once you click on Server List the X-Chat Server List will display. Highlight the IRC server you want to modify the connection for, click Show Details, and then click the Connection Options tab as shown in the below example image.

X-Chat Server List Details: Connection Options

Now you need to add a check to the Allow Invalid Certificates checkbox as shown in the below example image.

X-Chat Server List Details: Connection Options > Allow Invalid Certificates

Once you add the Allow Invalid Certificates configuration option to the IRC server connection you should restart X-Chat Aqua before you attempt to make the SSL connection to the Rizon IRC network. If you do not restart X-Chat Aqua it is possible to receive a different error such as “Connection failed. Error: certificate not trusted.? (27)”. Please note this should work very similar for other IRC networks as well. You should now be able to make a successful connection without error.