Chrome to mark HTTP as Insecure!

February 28, 2018 11:38 pm by Admin

Three years ago Google started giving search engine preference to websites with encrypted HTTPS connection (with SSL certificate) over a non-encrypted HTTP connection. And getting a higher preference on Google should be the aim of all webmasters. Google seems to be following a carrot and stick strategy. If a higher ranking in search engine boost was a ‘carrot’ for website owners, wait till July 2018 when they will start implementing the ‘stick’ part of their above-mentioned strategy.

Chrome (starting with version 68) will penalize every website that does not have an encrypted connection using HTTPS. It will display a label saying ‘Not Secure’ on the address bar, as shown in the image below. This will, therefore, make users distrust the website and naturally force website owners to implement encryption.

What is HTTPS?

It is a secure version of Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP). A secure tunnel is created between the computer and the web-server when a user visits a HTTPS-enabled website. This is done to prevent unauthorized users (read hackers) from accessing the data transmitted between the computer and web server. The information could be the login passwords or even your credit card details. That is why HTTPS connection is important if you are dealing with a banking website or even any e-commerce websites.

How is this going to affect you?

If you are a website owner/administrator, you will have to install an SSL Certificate on your website host for the domain. There are many companies selling SSL Certificates. If you do not want to pay, there is a company called Let’s Encrypt, that will provide free SSL Certificates valid for 90 days. You would need to renew them every 90 days.

Wait for our YouTube video on Web Development series where will be discussing SSL Certificates. We will also show how to install the free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate. Stay tuned.