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Potential e-snaps Access Issue: Internet Browser Compatibility
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Continuum of Care (CoC) designated Collaborative Applicants and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Leads should ensure the following message is communicated to all CoC Program funded projects as this could impact users’ ability to log into e-snaps, affecting the application process and the ability to enter data for required Annual Performance Reports (APRs).
Issues have been identified related to browser compatibility with e-snaps which is an off-the-shelf product from a software vendor. The vendor, working with HUD, will need to:
- Update the server connectivity to current web standards; and
- Provide HUD with a usable version of the product containing custom functionality that is used for e-snaps.
We expect to be moving to the updated version of that product later this year, which will be compatible with the newest versions of available browsers. Until then, the following is a list of browsers commonly used when accessing e-snaps and tips for using those browsers:
Internet Explorer 10: If you are using Internet Explorer 10, you will need to enable the compatibility feature. First, close your browser. Then, to use compatibility mode, take these steps:
- Open your browser
- Navigate to the e-snaps log in page
- On the URL bar, click on the icon that looks like a torn piece of paper(referred to as the “broken paper” icon)
Internet Explorer 11: In order to function, sites must be added to the “Compatibility View” list. Here are the instructions from the Microsoft website to add a site to the “Compatibility View” list:
- Open the desktop, and then tap or click the Internet Explorer icon on the taskbar
- Tap or click the “Tools” button, and then tap or click “Compatibility View settings”
- Under “Add this website,” enter the URL of the site you want to add to the list, and then tap or click “Add”
Once you turn on “Compatibility View,” Internet Explorer will automatically show that site in “Compatibility View” each time you visit. You can turn it off by removing it from your compatibility list.
Internet Explorer – earlier versions: Earlier versions of IE appear to have no compatibility issues with e-snaps. Microsoft also has an official page dedicated to older versions of Internet Explorer.
The recent updates to Mozilla's Firefox and Google's Chrome that have prevented access to e-snaps were, in part, a response to what is called the Logjam Vulnerability, which was revealed back in May.
Firefox version up to 39: Individuals who have upgraded to Firefox v39 or later are getting an error message “Secure Connection Failed.” Two work-arounds have been identified:
- Users comfortable with re-configuring Firefox can modify certain settings to allow access by taking the following steps:
- Open Firefox and go to about:config (type about:config in the address bar)
- Search for security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_128_sha and disable it (set value to false)
- Search for security.ssl3.dhe_rsa_aes_256_sha and disable it (set value to false)
- Close Firefox and when you re-open it, you should be able to access e-snaps
- Users can install an older version (before Firefox v.39) and use that to access e-snaps. Mozilla has a site dedicated to valid older versions of Firefox.
Google Chrome: Chrome updates automatically and Google does NOT make previous versions of Chrome available. Previous versions are available on the internet but, again, they are not provided by Google so users should use caution.
Note: Users have reported additional issues with their operating systems. For example, Mac users do not have Internet Explorer available as an option unless they purchase software for their Mac that enables them to run Windows applications, which is not a realistic option for most users. Mac users will need to download a previous version of Firefox. Mozilla has a site dedicated to valid older versions of Firefox.
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