Beginning in January 2017, Google Chrome will label all insecure (unencrypted) websites as “not secure.” Up until now, most websites are accessed using “http” instead of “https”—which adds an extra layer of security for those sites handling highly confidential online transactions like online banking and online shopping order forms.
This new policy was adopted because it’s easy for a hacker to hijack any “http” website and send visitors to an imposter location that features pornography, illegal drugs, and other nefarious activities.
What difference does it make? Why should I care?
If you do not take action to add extra security to your website, visitors will see a “not secure” warning. Over time, Google will label all non-https sites with an exclamation mark (“!”) and red text.
Currently Google Chrome browser is used by 72.5 percent of web users—a commanding lead over Firefox (16.3), Internet Explorer (5.3), and Safari (3.5). Because their browser is dominant, there’s no avoiding the inevitable warning labels that will discourage visitors from entering your site.
Adopting “https” has three major benefits:
- Customer information cannot be intercepted.
- Visitors can verify you are a registered business that owns the domain name.
- Customers are more likely to trust and purchase from encrypted sites.
What can I do to fix this?
To upgrade your website to secure “https,” you need to purchase a TLS certificate (formerly SSL) and modify site settings to use “https” for web pages.
Can I hire someone to handle this?
Absolutely! Cavanaugh Interactive has 20 years of experience in managing evolving web technologies. In addition to the cost of the certificate, I can handle the migration and perform any necessary link/image checks to ensure the site is fully functional and secure.
If you have any questions, please let me know. We’re here to help!
