A big heads up if you don’t have an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate installed on your website!
As of October 24th 2017, Google will be releasing a new version of Chrome (Version 62) This new version will cause some major headaches to websites that are still running without an SSL certificate.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser (a user).
The purpose of installing an SSL certificate is to encrypt the data travelling between your website and your visitors. An SSL certificate protects data such as passwords or credit card details from being stolen by third-parties.
SO, WHAT ARE THE CHANGES GOOGLE IS MAKING?
At the moment, Google Chrome warns users by placing a “Not secure” label in the address bar if they are visiting an insecure web page that contains a credit card or password input field.
But this month, these warnings are set to extend to show up when a user fills in ANY input field type on an insecure web page (such as a contact or sign up form.)
Did you know – Around half of all internet users are using Google Chrome?
Google Chrome eventually plans to extend this warning to users to show for ALL insecure web pages, whether or not they have any particular types of input fields on them. So, if you’re still running your website without an SSL certificate, now is definitely the time to make the switch and secure your site!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I ALREADY HAVE AN SSL CERTIFICATE INSTALLED/ENABLED?
First, try to visit your website without using any http or https prefix (to see whether your site automatically loads in http or https), for example, type: “somedomain.com.au” into your browser’s address bar. If the site loads okay and you can see the padlock in your browser’s address bar, this means your site has an SSL certificate both installed and enabled, and nothing further needs to be done!
If your site loads but isn’t showing the padlock, try instead typing your website address into your address bar including the https prefix, such as: “https://yourdomain.com.au”. If the site loads okay, that means you have an SSL certificate installed, but it is either not enabled, or you have mixed content which is preventing the page from being fully secure.
If the site doesn’t load at all this way, that means you do not have an SSL certificate installed/installed correctly.
WHAT IS MIXED CONTENT?
Mixed content means you have an may have an SSL certificate installed and enabled, but something on your web page is being loaded insecurely via an http link. This could be anything from an image within your code which is being called to using its old http link, rather than its new https link.
We’d recommend consulting our team at Stellar Digital if you are unsure how to tackle any of the above. We will be able to assist you in ensuring that your website is setup securely with an SSL certificate.
HOW DO I GET AN SSL CERTIFICATE?
Stellar Tech can get your website setup with an SSL certificate fast! Simply use our booking form here to setup an appointment to get your SSL needs sorted!
WILL MY WEBSITE’S SEARCH ENGINE RANKING BE AFFECTED BY INSTALLING AN SSL CERTIFICATE?
Yes, switching from http to https can have an effect on your Google ranking if not managed correctly, as your website address will essentially be changing from starting with http://, to starting with https://, thus giving your website a brand new address as far as Google is concerned. Book a website audit with Stellar Digital to receive a comprehensive report on how SSL will affect your website.
As always feel free to use our online booking form or call us today for all of your I.T , Digital strategy and website needs!
(You can read their full announcement on the changes here!)
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