Important Google Security News

For years, Google has been actively seeking ways to encourage website owners to implement SSL certificates. Google is now moving from a reward system to a punitive one. Websites using SSL continue to get an SEO boost, but  a few months ago Google started blacklisting non-HTTPS websites that allow password fields and credit card forms to be filled.

Google announced that from their Chrome version 62. released in October 2017, websites with any kind of text input will require an SSL certificate, if they want to avoid a “Not Secure” warning in the address bar

Based on non-HTTPS sites Google will flag 2/3rd of the web as unsafe.

What is a SSL Certificate?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server (your website) and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral. SSL is an industry standard and is used by millions of websites in the protection of their online transactions with their customers. To be able to create an SSL connection a web server requires an SSL Certificate

Why Google is pushing for HTTPS?

HTTP pages are less secure than HTTPS because they are not encrypted. That makes it easier for hackers to intercept login or payment information and could lead to fraud. Warning people about connections that are not secure can protect the user and decreases the chance that their information will be compromised during an online transaction, but it might very well also mean loss of traffic to your website!

HTTPS also has additional benefits that website owners should take advantage of. HTTPS connections (particularly websites that show a green address bar in the browser) lead to more online transaction and give the website in question a more credible image.

Google says it will give these sites a small ranking benefit. HTTPS websites are also given preference to unsecured sites in organic search and they even receive slight performance enhancements.

SSL certificates are now more important than ever as HTTPS protects the integrity of your website

Chrome is considered the most popular browser, meaning the majority of your website visitors are likely using it. In fact, Symantec reports that up to 73% of web users choose Chrome as their primary browser. That’s a huge percentage of your web traffic that may receive warnings about the lack of security on your website if you are not using HTTPS—which could be detrimental to your image as a trusted site.  

Aside from Chrome’s update, there are a variety of other reasons to switch your website to HTTPS. With millions of new pieces of malware being discovered every year, it can be near impossible to protect your website from cyber attacks and cyber breaches without the help of a third-party provider. Installing an SSL certificate on your website is one of the best ways to keep your and you visitors’ information safe.

You should always protect all of your websites with HTTPS, even if they don’t handle sensitive communications. HTTPS is a requirement for many new browser features, particularly those required for progressive web apps.

HTTPS helps prevent intruders from tampering with the communications between your websites and your users’ browsers. Intruders include intentionally malicious attackers, and legitimate but intrusive companies, such as ISPs or hotels that inject ads into pages.

With SSL certificates, your customers will see visuals like lock icon and a green address bar that indicates well-trusted encryption is in use. Undoubtedly, this will add brand power and boost the credibility of brand.

Some SSL Certificates shows HTTPS in grey but are less secure than the ones with green address bar.

HTTPS protects the privacy and security of your users

HTTPS prevents intruders from being able to passively listen to communications between your websites and your users. One common misconception about HTTPS is that the only websites that need HTTPS are those that handle sensitive communications. Every unprotected HTTP request can potentially reveal information about the behaviors and identities of your users.

HTTPS is the future of the web

Powerful, new web platform features, such as taking pictures or recording audio with getUserMedia(), enabling offline app experiences with service workers, or building progressive web apps, require explicit permission from the user before executing. Many older APIs are also being updated to require permission to execute, such as the geolocation API. HTTPS is a key component to the permission workflows for both these new features and updated APIs.

Conclusion

Every serious business depending on their website for information and communication should secure their website with a SSL Certificate before Google flags your website insecure.

SSL Certificates are based on annual subscription and can be purchased for 1-3 year at the time.

Comodo SSL Certificates Provides the Highest Available Encryption Strength

Fx6 International is using Comodo SSL Certificates to encrypt connections to our web servers, which gives full SSL protection with green address bar information (like our servers above)

This SSL Certificate provides up to 256-bit encryption include domain authentication and the optional but included Comodo® Trusted Site Seal that can be used on your website with an active link to the certificate information. (Here you see it installed on our own website fx6international.com)

The certificates includes the following URL:

• https://www.YOUDOMAIN.com
• https://YOURDOMAIN.com