Why Does My Website Say Not Secure?

If you’ve recently launched a website, you may have noticed that your site is labeled as “not secure” in the address bar. This can be alarming for visitors and may even deter them from using your site altogether…

But why does this happen, and what can you do to fix it?

The reason your website is labeled as “not secure” is because it lacks an SSL certificate. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is a security protocol that encrypts data between a user’s browser and a website’s server. This encryption ensures that any information exchanged between the two parties remains private and cannot be intercepted by hackers or malicious actors.

It is crucial to prioritize website security for any online presence, particularly for ecommerce sites and those that collect or store visitor information.

Whether you are a long-time website owner or a new one, ensuring site security is essential. This page aims to address common inquiries about website security, including the consequences of having an insecure website and how to secure your website permanently. Many people search for answers about insecure websites, so you are not alone in this matter. Continue reading to gain more insights.

Understanding SSL/TLS Certificate

It’s important to note that not all SSL certificates are created equal. There are three types of certificates: domain validated (DV), organization validated (OV), and extended validation (EV). DV certificates are the most basic and only verify that the domain is registered to the person requesting the certificate. OV certificates require additional verification of the organization, while EV certificates require the most rigorous verification process and display the organization’s name in the address bar.

While DV certificates are better than nothing, it’s recommended to invest in an OV or EV certificate if you’re running a business or handling sensitive information on your website.

Understanding HTTP (http://), HTTPs (https://), and SSL/TLS Encryption

HTTP and HTTPS are two of the most commonly used protocols on the internet. They are used to transfer data between servers and clients, and they play a crucial role in the functioning of the World Wide Web.

HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is a protocol that is used to transfer data over the internet. It is a request-response protocol, which means that a client sends a request to a server, and the server responds with the requested data. HTTP is a stateless protocol, which means that each request is independent of any previous requests.

HTTPS, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is a secure version of HTTP. It uses encryption to protect the data that is being transferred between the client and the server. HTTPS is designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and other types of attacks that can compromise the security of the data. HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect the data that is being transferred.

The SSL/TLS is a cryptographic protocol that is used to secure communication over the internet. It uses a combination of public key and symmetric key encryption to ensure that the data cannot be intercepted or modified by unauthorized parties.

To use HTTPS, websites need to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted certificate authority. This certificate verifies that the website is who it claims to be, and that the data being transferred is encrypted and secure. Once a website has obtained an SSL/TLS certificate, it can use HTTPS to protect its users’ data.

Difference Between HTTP and HTTPS

The main difference between HTTP and HTTPS is that HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to protect the data that is being transferred. HTTP is a protocol used in website URLs that is not secure and can allow hackers to access personal information. On the other hand, HTTPS is a secure protocol that ensures personal information is safe. Popular websites use HTTPS to show that their sites are safe for browsing and making purchases. Google has been promoting HTTPS sites over HTTP sites and started marking HTTP sites as “not secure” in the search bar in July 2018, with the aim that it decreases site visitors to insecure sites.

Advantages of HTTPS (https://) over HTTP (http://)

1. Improve the performance of websites: The advantage of HTTPS is that it can help to improve the performance of websites. This is because HTTPS uses HTTP/2, which is a newer version of HTTP that is designed to improve the speed and efficiency of data transfer. HTTP/2 uses techniques such as server push, header compression, and multiplexing to reduce latency and improve performance.

2. Websites that don’t utilize HTTPS may rank lower in results: If a website does not use HTTPS, it may rank lower in Google search results. Google’s main function as a search engine is to provide users with the most relevant results based on various factors such as keyword targeting, domain authority, and backlinks. However, website security is also a ranking factor, so if a website does not use HTTPS, its ranking may decrease as Google aims to provide secure search results for its users.

What Happens if You Visit an Unsecure Website?

When you visit a website that is not secure, what happens is your browser will display a warning message indicating that the website is not secure. This warning message can vary depending on the browser you are using, but it usually includes a red padlock icon with a slash through it or a message that says “Not Secure” in the address bar.

So, what does it mean when a website is not secure? It means that any information you enter on that website, such as your name, email address, credit card information, or login credentials, can be intercepted by hackers. This information can then be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft or credit card fraud.

In addition to the security risks associated with not having an SSL certificate, there are other reasons why a website may be labeled as “not secure.” For example, if a website is outdated or has not been properly maintained, it may be vulnerable to security breaches.

Important: “Not Secure” Doesn’t Mean Your Computer is Infected

It is understandable for users to assume that a “not secure” warning indicates the presence of a computer virus or malware. However, this is not the case. The warning simply implies that the website is not secure, and it is not advisable to share any personal information on such sites.

Why Does My Website Say it is “Not Secure” and How can I fix it?

If you are concerned about your website’s rankings due to security issues, don’t worry. Implementing HTTPS is a simple process that can secure your website for visitors and customers. Here is a five-step process to get started:

1. Install an SSL certificate on your website to provide a secure version of your site to visitors. You can find SSL certificate providers online. When you install an SSL certificate, a few exchanges take place, which provides a secure version of your website to your site visitors:

• Your browser will connect to a website and request the server identity.
• The server will respond by sending the browser the SSL certificate
• The browser will determine if the SSL certificate is trustworthy
• If the SSL certificate is trustworthy, it will send the server a message
• The server will respond with a digitally-signed document that gives permission to start a session that is encrypted by the trusted SSL certificate
• The browser and server share encrypted data

2. Ensure that all internal and external links on your site use HTTPS – Avoid linking to a non-secure website.

3. Verify both the HTTP and HTTPS versions of your site in Google Search Console and set the preferred domain to the HTTPS version.

4. Create 301 redirects on your website to ensure that HTTP URLs reference the HTTPS version.

5. Update your XML sitemap to include HTTPS versions of your site pages and submit it to Google Search Console for re-crawling and indexing.