Not Secure Website Warning: Securing Your Website with HTTPS

Is your website showing a "not secure" warning? This message can quickly affect visitor trust and your search engine ranking. Switching to HTTPS keeps data safe, boosts credibility, and guards against online threats. But how does it work, and why is it important?

In this blog, we'll break down HTTPS, explain the reasons why some sites get flagged as "not secure," and share the steps on how you can secure your website.

What Does the Warning "Not Secure" Website Mean?

When you visit a website that displays a warning "not secure" in the address bar, it means the website is using HTTP protocol without an SSL certificate.

This website warning basically tells you that a website isn't secure and may be vulnerable to data interception by malicious actors. Web browsers like Google Chrome display these security indicators to alert users about potential risks associated with an unsecured website.

This warning will disappear once proper security measures are implemented.

How Does a "Not Secure" Warning Affect Your Website?

Higher Bounce Rates

A "Not Secure" warning can cause users to leave immediately, fearing that their information is at risk. This increased bounce rate limits engagement and negatively impacts user experience.

Loss of Trust and Credibility

Security warnings make your website appear unreliable. Users are less likely to interact with, return to, or recommend an insecure site, which can damage your brand’s reputation.

Increased Vulnerability to Cyber Threats

An unsecured site is at higher risk of being hacked or infected with malware, endangering both your business and your users' data.

Reduced Conversion Rates

Visitors are less likely to make transactions on a site that feels unsafe, which can lead to lost sales and a weakened conversion rate.

Negative Impact on Search Engine Rankings

Search engines, like Google, prioritize secure sites, and unsecured websites may rank lower, resulting in decreased organic traffic.

Compromised Personal Information

Unsecured sites put users' data at risk of interception, making them vulnerable to identity theft and financial fraud.

Perception of Unprofessionalism

A "Not Secure" warning makes a website appear outdated or careless about user safety, undermining the professionalism of your brand.

Limited Web Functionality

Many modern web features require a secure connection, so a non-secure site may struggle with compatibility, affecting overall user experience.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS, short for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, is an advanced and secure version of HTTP, the protocol commonly used to load websites. It provides a secure https connection between browsers and web servers.

When a website uses HTTPS, it signals to users and search engines that it prioritizes data security.

How Does HTTPS Differ from HTTP?

HTTPS stands out from HTTP due to its built-in security features. Such as:

• Encrypts Data Transmission: HTTPS uses encryption protocols (TLS or SSL) to encode data during transmission. This means that any data cannot be read by intercepting parties.
• Ensures Data Integrity: By using HTTPS, websites ensure that the data sent and received is not altered or corrupted during transfer. This integrity check reduces the chances of data being modified maliciously.
• Creates a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): HTTPS uses SSL or TLS protocols to establish a secure connection, often referred to as a “handshake.” This process verifies both the client and server's identity, setting up a secure, encrypted link between them.

Importance of HTTPS in Website Security

To make sure that a website is secure, it should be using an HTTPS protocol.

It's important for the following reasons:

• Protects Sensitive Information: HTTPS protects users' confidential data, such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information, from being stolen or intercepted by cybercriminals.
• Verifies Website Identity: HTTPS ensures that users are interacting with the intended website, preventing phishing and other attacks where users could be tricked into sharing information with a fraudulent site.
• Prevents Data Tampering: By using HTTPS, websites protect data from being intercepted and modified by third parties, ensuring that any data reaching the user is exactly as the server intended.
• Enables Modern Web Features: Many web applications and APIs require HTTPS for their secure functionalities to work, including payment gateways and geolocation services, making it essential for enabling advanced web features.

HTTPS Impact on SEO and User Trust

The use of HTTPS has a direct impact on a website's search engine ranking and user trust.

SEO Benefits

Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in their rankings, making HTTPS a ranking factor. Secure https versions of sites will generally rank better than an http site, helping them reach more users. Tools like Google Search Console can help site administrators to monitor and ensure their website is properly secured with HTTPS.

Enhanced User Trust

Visitors are more likely to trust and engage with a website that shows the padlock icon or “secure” label in their browser. This visible sign of security reassures users that their information is safe, reducing bounce rates and increasing conversions on the site.

Steps to Secure Your Website

Creating a safe and secure online environment is important. To protect your website and ensure the privacy and security of user data, it's important to implement foundational security steps. Starting with:

Obtaining an SSL/TLS Certificate

To prevent the warning to appear, website owners need to obtain an (SSL/TLS) which stands for Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security certificate and configure their website to make the transition from HTTP to HTTPS. This step is essential for any site to be secure and to build trust with visitors.

• Choose a Certificate Provider: There are many providers to choose from, such as Let’s Encrypt (free option), Comodo, or DigiCert. Research each provider’s options to find one that best fits your budget and security requirements.
• Select Certificate Type: Depending on your site’s needs, you may opt for a Domain Validated, Organization Validated, Extended Validation, Wildcard, or Multi-domain certificate (more on these types below).
• Complete the Validation Process: Validation varies by certificate type; simpler types, like Domain Validation, only require verification of domain ownership. More advanced types, like Extended Validation, involve business identity verification.
• Purchase and Activate: Once validated, you can complete the purchase (if applicable) and activate the certificate. Activation typically involves steps within your provider’s platform and will be followed by a certificate file download for installation.

Different Types of SSL Certificates

Domain Validated (DV)

DV certificates are entry-level SSLs, suitable for blogs or small websites. They only verify domain ownership and are the easiest and fastest to acquire, though they offer limited trust for users.

Organization Validated (OV)

OV certificates involve additional verification of the organization’s identity. They’re suitable for businesses and add more credibility, showing users that the organization is legitimate.

Extended Validation (EV)

EV certificates are the most trusted SSL type. They require rigorous verification, including legal, physical, and operational checks. EV SSLs display the business name in the browser’s address bar, boosting customer trust.

Wildcard Certificates

Wildcard SSLs secure an unlimited number of subdomains under a single domain (e.g., securing both example.com and blog.example.com). Ideal for sites with multiple subdomains.

Multi-domain Certificates

Multi-domain SSLs (also known as SAN certificates) allow you to secure multiple domains with a single certificate. This is convenient for businesses managing several websites under different domains.

How to Install an SSL Certificate on Your Web Server?

Once you’ve obtained the certificate, the next step is installation, which may vary based on your hosting environment (e.g., cPanel, IIS, or Apache).

Generate a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)

A CSR is a block of encoded text you generate on your server, containing information (e.g., domain name, organization) required by the certificate authority. Most hosting platforms guide you through this step.

Submit to Certificate Authority

Submit the CSR to your chosen certificate authority for validation. They’ll verify the information and proceed with the SSL issuance.

Download Certificate Files

Once your certificate is approved, download the certificate files provided by the authority. These files contain the SSL certificate and may include additional root or intermediate certificates.

Install on Web Server

Use your hosting control panel or manually configure your server to install the certificate files. Ensure all necessary files are correctly uploaded to the appropriate server location.

Configure Server Settings

After installation, configure your server to enforce HTTPS across your site. Update your website's .htaccess file or enable server settings to redirect HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring secure connections. Test the installation to verify it’s functioning correctly, and check for any mixed content warnings.

Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

Once your SSL certificate is installed, it’s important to redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS to ensure a secure browsing experience across your entire site.

1. Update Internal Links

After implementing HTTPS, update all internal links within your website to use HTTPS rather than HTTP. This ensures that visitors are always directed to the secure version of your pages, improving both security and consistency.

2. Modify the .htaccess File

If you’re using an Apache server, modifying the .htaccess file is one of the simplest ways to redirect all traffic to HTTPS. Here’s an example of what you can add:

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off

RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

This configuration automatically redirects any HTTP requests to HTTPS, ensuring users are always directed to the secure version of your site.

3. Configure Server Settings

In addition to updating your .htaccess file, check your server settings to enforce HTTPS. Some hosting providers offer easy toggles in their control panels to enforce HTTPS across all site traffic. Confirm with your hosting provider or server documentation to ensure HTTPS is enforced at the server level.

4. Update CMS Settings

If you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, update the site URL settings within the CMS dashboard to reflect HTTPS. Most platforms have specific settings to define your website’s URL, which should be updated to ensure internal links, image URLs, and other assets load securely.

Test Your SSL Configuration

After setting up your HTTPS redirects, it’s essential to test your SSL configuration to confirm that your site is fully secure.

• Use Online SSL Checkers: Use online SSL checker tools, such as SSL Labs' SSL Test or Why No Padlock?, to confirm that your SSL certificate is properly installed and configured. These tools scan your site and report on the SSL setup, identifying any potential vulnerabilities or areas needing improvement.
• Verify Certificate Installation: Manually verify your certificate installation by visiting your site in a browser and checking for the padlock icon in the website URL bar. Most modern browsers indicate a secure site with a padlock, and clicking it should display the SSL certificate details, confirming the HTTPS configuration.
• Test All Pages and Resources: Navigate through your website, testing various pages, images, scripts, and other resources to ensure they load over HTTPS. Mixed content issues, where some assets still load over HTTP, can trigger browser warnings and compromise security. Address these issues by updating links and resource URLs as needed.
• Check Mobile Compatibility: Lastly, check your site’s SSL setup on mobile devices. Some mobile browsers have unique behaviors or requirements for SSL, so testing on multiple devices helps confirm that mobile users also experience a fully secure connection. Check that all pages load correctly, resources are secure, and the HTTPS setup doesn’t impact usability on mobile.

Final Thoughts

A secure website isn’t just about protection; it’s essential for fostering trust, improving conversion rates, supporting SEO efforts, and maintaining a professional online presence.

Don't let a website without proper security measures harm your online presence, always use the secure protocols available and ensure that your website is safe to create a secure experience for your visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the warning message "Not Secure" mean when it appears on a website?

The reason why you see the "Not Secure'' warning is that the website is using HTTP of HTTPS and doesn't have an SSL certificate installed on it. This makes the site unable to encrypt data and exposes it to potential interception by cyber threats. Browsers such as Chrome display this warning to help keep users safe from risks.

Can a "Not Secure" warning impact my website’s performance and user trust?

Yes, a "Not Secure" warning can cause users to leave quickly, raising bounce rates and reducing engagement. This impacts SEO, as secure sites rank better. It can also damage user trust and credibility, making visitors hesitant to interact, share information, or complete transactions on your site.

Is HTTPS important for my website?

Yes, HTTPS is essential. It’s a secure version of HTTP, protecting data exchanged between browsers and servers. HTTPS not only encrypts user data, safeguarding personal information, but also verifies the site’s authenticity, building user confidence. It’s critical for security and SEO.

How does HTTPS benefit my website’s SEO and user trust?

HTTPS is a ranking factor for search engines, meaning secure sites rank higher than non-secure ones. Users are more likely to trust a website showing a secure connection, increasing engagement, conversions, and positive perception of your brand.

How can I secure my website with HTTPS?

Securing your website involves getting an SSL/TLS certificate from a trusted provider, installing it on your server, and configuring your site to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS. After setup, test your SSL configuration to ensure all content loads securely across pages and devices.