Be Secure by July or Else!

Google is launching its next version; Chrome 68, in July and it will warn users about HTTP sites. So, if you haven’t done so, now is the time to get your SSL certificate and migrate to HTTPS.  I’ve been talking about this for a couple of years and I’ve updated a lot of my clients’ sites with SSL. But there are still some outliers who need to get on board. No more procrastinating!

What is HTTPS and Why do you Need It?

While HTTP has been working well for a long time it isn’t secure. HTTP connections to websites with insecure connection can allow anyone to listen in on the connection and steal or manipulate your data.

The “S” added to the end of the designation HTTP means that you have and SSL An SSL certificate or “Secure Sockets Layer” is a security certificate that once installed on a web server activates a secure connection between the browser the surfer is viewing the content on and the web server that the content is derived from initially.

The website’s URL protocol will change from HTTP to HTTPS and add a security to the left of the URL to let users know that your website is secure.

SSL certificates help the web reduce the number of cybercrimes done through security loopholes in web browsers. The lack of security in the connection between the surfer’s browser and web server without an SSL connection, leaves a the user vulnerable to a hacker who could seize credit card numbers, personal data and more, capturing from forms as they are being filled.

Adding SSL makes HTTPS means that as users connect with your website the data they enter into your forms gets encrypted making it completely useless to anyone without the corresponding key.  Additionally, HTTPS prevents others’ ISPs from injecting ads on your website. Plus, even better, it is faster and performs better than HTTP. To top it all off, encryption is required to use HTTP/2 ( a major revision of the HTTP network becoming more common). It’s a bit complex for this blog, but you can read more about HTTP/2 here for if you’re curious.

Now What?

Quite simply you must install an SSL certificate and migrate your website to HTTPS. The process to do this is  a bit different with every hosting company and the cost is different as well. Some companies offer free SSL with new accounts, which could be enough incentive to move hosting servers. But as a general rule basic SSL certificates, which is all most people need are not terribly expensive and a whole lot cheaper than losing a bunch of potential clients because they see that you’re site isn’t secure. Also, Google is taking ranking points away from non-secure sites and each year they increase the percentage of ranking levels.

It is time!

Do you need to add SSL to your site and don’t have time or desire to do it yourself? Contact us! We’re happy to help you secure your site.