In The Know – Google Introduces Secure & Not Secure

Google introduces Secure & Not Secure

Starting from the end of Jan ‘17 Google are starting to roll out an ‘Insecure’ browser label for all websites that are not secured using HTTPS. To help keep more web users secure, Google is introducing the marking in its Chrome Browser, so that any website that contains a data entry field a password or payment details, will need to be secured using an SSL certificate. The long term goal for Google is to mark all unsecured HTTP websites as ‘Not Secure’, so even if you don’t have log in areas or purchasing options, you may not be safe from this for long.

Is my website secure?

Checking whether or not your website is secure is simple, you just need to look at your browser address bar. Different browsers display this information differently but the key point is that your website runs using https:// rather than just http://. To make this clearer some browsers may highlight the https:// in green, display a padlock or the word ‘Secure’. These are all clear indications that your website is currently secure, and as long as you ensure that you keep your SSL certificate renewed each year, this change will not affect you.

What can I expect if my website is not secure?

Once the upgrade is rolled out fully, anyone using the Google Chrome web browser will see the word ‘Insecure’ marked next to the address bar. Google are planning on taking this one stage further also, by making showing this in red alongside a red warning triangle. This could have detrimental effects on your business, as customers, old and new, begin to feel unsafe as they browse your website. If your business runs an eCommerce website the effects of a lack of customer trust could be devastating.

How can I secure my website?

Securing your website is simple, and can usually be completed in just a couple of hours. SSL certificates encrypt data sent between your visitor’s web browser and your server. Installing an SSL certificate involves adding a unique encryption key to the website. These encryption keys can cost anywhere from around £30 for a basic website, up to highly sophisticated encryptions

Our SSL packages start at just £40 including full installation and setup, so if you want to take the stress out of securing your website, get in touch with us today to make sure you don’t get caught out.