What is HTTPS and what does it mean?
HTTPS is a secure and encrypted version of HTTP.
In principle, it is the same as HTTP — the only difference being that all data sent over HTTPS rather than HTTP is encrypted via SSL/TLS.
In most modern browsers, the address bar indicates whether the website you are visiting is on HTTPS or not.
Without HTTPS (From Google Chrome):
With HTTPS (From Google Chrome):
Why is HTTPS important?
HTTPS is important because data sent over HTTP is transmitted in a way that makes it easy for malicious third parties to intercept the data packets and view their contents.
It is therefore especially important for websites where users enter sensitive information such as bank account details, credit card information, social security numbers, etc. to have HTTPS implemented, as it makes it virtually impossible for malicious third parties to access this information, since it is encrypted.
How do you switch to HTTPS?
To switch to HTTPS on your website, you first need to obtain an SSL certificate for your domain. This is typically available through your hosting provider.
Next, you need to ensure that all traffic to your HTTP addresses is redirected to the corresponding HTTPS addresses.
Additionally, to avoid issues with so-called "mixed content", you need to ensure that all resources on your website are loaded over HTTPS.
Beyond this, there are numerous other things you need to have in order when making an HTTPS switch, as it can seriously harm your SEO if not done correctly.
Ready to secure your website with HTTPS? Fill in the form below, or call us on 30 12 42 72 for a no-obligation chat about how we can help you implement HTTPS correctly.
