What does that “Not Secure” message in my website’s address bar mean?
Google has begun mark your websites without an SSL certificate “Not Secure”
What is an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate?
An SSL certificate is a security certificate that activates a secure connection between the browser the user is viewing the content on and the web server that the content is derived from once it is installed on the web server.
The website’s URL protocol will change from HTTP to HTTPS. A security padlock will also be present in the URL as a way to further signal the status of the website’s Google SSL certificate.
The main reason why SSL is used is to keep sensitive information sent across the Internet encrypted so that only the intended recipient can access it. When an SSL Certificate is used, the information becomes unreadable to everyone except for the server you are sending the information to. SSL certificates help the web cut down on instances of cybercrime that are often performed through security loopholes in web browsers.
You can tell if a website is SSL secure by looking at the URL structure. If a website’s URL starts out with “http,” it is not SSL secure. If it starts with “https,” then it is secure.
Benefits of SSL
- Helps stop Information theft.
- Gives a sense of security to your website visitors.
- It is necessary if you accept online payments.
- Google will flag you if you don’t have an SSL certificate.
Google’s Warning
Google has begun flagging non HTTPS sites with a warning in the URL bar of the user’s browser that identify the site as non-secure.
People viewing your website may close it down quickly when they see the “Not Secure” message.
If you don’t have an SSL certificate yet, now is the time to get one
How do I get an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate needed to convert your site to HTTPS can cost up to around $70 annually. The easiest place to buy one is with your hosting company. If you host with Godaddy, the certificate will cost around $70 per year for a standard license or $100 for a deluxe license. Many hosts such as HostGator and Siteground provide the SSL included with the hosting price as a way to earn your business. Contact me if you want more information on this.
If you don’t already have an SSL certificate on your website, NOW is the time to do so.