https Website Not Secure

Google Chrome is to mark all HTTP sites as ‘not secure’ come July 2018 with the release of Chrome 68.  Move over to HTTPS encryption and be part of a secure web.

Google has been strongly encouraging websites and web developers to move over to HTTPS for a few years. They have been gradually introducing this warning by marking some HTTP pages as not secure as they are vulnerable to attack. But in July 2018 Google will be marking ALL HTTP sites as ‘not secure’ according to Emily Schechter, Chrome Security Product Manager.

Chrome 68’s new interface will warn users that the HTTP website they are visiting is not secure by displaying an extra notification in the address bar.  This is to pave the way to a more secure web using HTTPS. We have been including HTTPS as standard on all client websites for a number of years now, as it conveys trust and security in the pages visited.

Https secure site

When users visit an HTTPS page, a green secure lock icon is displayed in the address bar, which secures the connection to the website you are visiting.

Why HTTPS?

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) adds an encryption layer on top of HTTP.  HTTP is the protocol over which data is sent between the browser and the website. The difference being the ‘S’ (httpS) for security, encrypting all communications between your browser and the website.  HTTPS ensures no one between the browser and website connection can intercept any information you may send or inject malware.

Basically, the HTTP sends information over a network in plain text, which is NOT secure and traffic can be intercepted. HTTPS encrypts information over networks, which secures login procedures, personal data, what you do on a site and which sites you visit.

Benefits of Having HTTPS

All websites should now be moving over to HTTPS regardless of industry or type of site.  As many browsers are moving toward a safe web, you don’t want to scare off visitors with a ‘not secure’ message displayed!

HTTPS has already been a ranking signal for Google in the last three years. As I mentioned before, HTTPS conveys trust and security to your website visitors, which Google rewards with greater search visibility.  Sites that use HTTPS get a small boost over websites that use the insecure HTTP.

Although the greatest benefit of being HTTPS is ensuring your visitors, and their information, is safe.

Have you got a website that is not yet HTTPS? Get in touch with Eastleigh SEO Web Design and see what further improvements we can do for your website.