How do I set SSL protocol version in java? And how do I know which one? javax.net.ssl.SSLException: Received fatal alert: protocol_version

Question

I am using Apache HttpClient 4.3 to interact with the API of hubic.com. My minimal reproducable example is just a one liner:

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Answer 1

I have also come across this issue. Certain sites are not accessible, throwing the mysterious: javax.net.ssl.SSLException: Received fatal alert: protocol_version

I have tried to mend it, following some of the hints given here, but without success. At one point the usual thought “it used to work before..”, really started nagging me.

Initially I had assumed something had changed in the site I tried to connect to. However, as this is a legacy kind of site, it wasn’t so likely. So, what else could it be..? At one point I thought “Java version”. Unlikely, but maybe worth a try.

As it is, I can get the content from previously error-throwing sites, if I compile my code with SDK 1.6.0_25. Newer versions gives me problems: 1.7.0_51, and 1.8.0.

I have boiled it down to the smallest piece possible, if effect reproducing the one-liner initially posted by “Yankee” above. I have used the same line, including the same URL.

Compiling with SDK 1.6 it works.

I am not sufficiently skilled in Java and SSL to understand the root issue behind this. But, someone ought to be able to put the code side by side, and track it down..

This may save someone a few wasted hours.