Secure your website by adding encryption
Communication between a browser and a web server can be encrypted to make shared information and data more secure. The primary purpose of encryption is to protect the privacy of website visitors. Today, approximately 75-90% of websites use encrypted communications.
Secure protocols for website communication
HTTP and HTTPS are both protocols that govern the way data is transmitted between browsers and web servers. HTTP stands for Hypertext Transportation Protocol and HTTPS stands for HTTP Secure. With HTTP, information transferred between a browser and a web server is not encrypted and easily stolen. With HTTPS, an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate ensures an encrypted connection between a browser and server, thereby protecting sensitive information, such as credit card numbers. Never enter personal information on an HTTP website.
How to know whether a website is secure
Unfortunately, it’s more complicated than simply looking for the S. You also have to look for a padlock icon in the browser address window. This is because it’s possible to use the HTTPS secure protocol but still have insecure elements within specific webpages. All fully secure websites will have a closed padlock in the browser URL bar.
Signs that an HTTPS website is not fully secure:
- a closed padlock with a red strike-through line
- the words “Not Secure” in the browser bar
- a yellow caution triangle with the words “Not Secure”
You need to check this on every page that you load in order to know its security status — especially if the page requests that you to enter any information.
Add encryption now
Many websites are already using the HTTPS protocol. If your site is not secure, we encourage you to act now before your site visitors go elsewhere. As online privacy concerns have increased over the years, data security has become a very important concern for consumers.
SEO
Google gives an advantage to secure sites in its search rankings. If you switch to using the HTTPS protocol and install an SSL certificate with your hosting company, you may move up in search results, especially if your competitors’ sites are not using encryption.
