Why websites should be HTTPS-enabled

Image source: threatpost.com

Looking at the address bar of a web browser, one would see an “http://” or “https://” right before the URL of the webpage. For those who do not know yet, the “s” stands for “secure,” which means there is an extra layer of protection for a website’s sensitive information.

During the first years after the security protocol was developed, most websites who made use of it were e-commerce sites. It helped ensure that customer information and payment details remained confidential. But there have been lots of efforts to have many sites be HTTPS-enabled, with Google calling the initiative “HTTPS Everywhere.”

There are several reasons website owners should use HTTPS, such as the following:

Security

As already mentioned, security is the primary purpose of an HTTPS connection. Other than preventing data from falling into the wrong hands, it also ensures that communications between the site and the user cannot be tampered with and injected with malicious ads or spyware.

Image source: ubisan.com

SEO ranking

Google applications, such as Chrome, label non-HTTPS websites as dangerous; it is part of the tech giant’s algorithm to favor HTTPS websites. As a matter of fact, 40% of the organic listings on the first page of Google search are HTTPS-enabled. To increase the possibility of a website ranking high in search engines, making it HTTPS is one of the first steps.

Customer confidence

More and more users are becoming knowledgeable on the workings of the Internet. There are some who would consciously look for a secure connection when visiting a website. Most browsers indicate if a website is safe and even prompt users if the site is not.

SiteLock is a worldwide leader in website security. Read more about the company here.