June 2024
If you don’t know how to make a website secure, you should start with the most straightforward option: HTTPS. Chances are, you’ve visited sites with this type of security, including the one that you’re reading this blog post on right now.
Any site owner, especially if you own an eCommerce site or one where transactions take place or data is exchanged, will need to understand HTTPS and how it works.
Websites will have either HTTP or HTTPS. As a user, you won’t notice a difference between either of these protocols because many of the benefits happen behind-the-scenes.
HTTPS standards for hypertext transfer protocol secure, which is a fancy way of saying that this is the safe, encrypted way to transfer data with a site. It’s a protocol that grew out of necessity as more transactions were being processed online.
Sensitive data, exchanged through web browsers, is unencrypted when only HTTP is used.
Some of today’s modern browsers even block non-secure sites because it’s a risk to anyone who transfers data with the site. If you’re only reading a blog post or a recipe, you’re likely fine and don’t need to be concerned about what protocol a site uses.
But if you do need to transfer any personal data to the site, the SSL allows for:
Imagine if you entered a credit card number into an e-commerce site that uses HTTP. In this scenario, the transmission of data occurs in plain text, so if a hacker uses packet sniffing, they can intercept your unencrypted credit card information.
If you want to know how to check if a site is secure, simply go to the address bar in your browser and look for https at the start of the website name.
Learning how to make my site secure goes beyond web design best practices. You need to have a secure server and a network that is hardened against attacks. HTTPS is one of the many tools that you have at your disposal to achieve this goal.
If you follow the advice in the previous section, you’ll have an easier time identifying:
The main difference is that HTTPS encrypts the data that you transmit online to ensure that if it’s intercepted, it’s not readable by a third party.
Over 30,000 websites are hacked daily, and over 23.9 million people in the U.S. alone are the victims of identity theft each year. Without proper website security, any website can be the source of user data falling into the hands of a malicious third party.
The “dark web” is filled with people willing to pay for stolen data.
Site owners have a responsibility to take website security seriously in order to do the following:
First and foremost, when focusing on HTTPS, the main goal is to encrypt any data that is transmitted between the site and a third-party, such as a payment processor. If you don’t have an SSL certificate installed, you’re not doing everything that you can to protect user data.
Wondering “how to protect my website?” You can start with HTTPS. The introduction of HTTPS helps build trust with visitors, who will know that you’re encrypting your data and helping keep their information safe.
HTTPS may benefit your site in the search engines. An SSL certificate will help search bots know that your site takes security seriously and may be used as a ranking signal. In SEO, every last metric that you can leverage in your favor is beneficial.
Improving your site’s security should be a top priority. But what makes a website secure? What steps should you take to enhance security? Here are some best practices.
What is a secure site? One that has an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. Installing an SSL certificate is a must, but it’s equally important to ensure that you’re choosing the right one.
There are different types of SSL certificates, and the one you need will depend on your site. Each type will also have its own requirements.
The types of SSL certificates include:
Domain Validation (DV)
A DV is ideal for small- to- medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective option for security.
To obtain a DV, you only need to provide proof of ownership of the domain name, which can be completed through an email validation process.
DV certificates can be issued quickly (usually in minutes). They enable HTTPS and ensure your site displays the padlock symbol in browsers.
Because DV certificates do not verify the legitimacy of the organization the site represents, it’s not the ideal option for eCommerce sites or those that handle sensitive information.
Organization Validation (OV)
An OV offers the same protection as a DV, but it takes things one step further by verifying proof of domain ownership.
Before issuing this type of certificate, there must be verification that the business associated with the domain is legitimate.
An OV is ideal for public-facing organizations.
Extended Validation (EV)
An EV provides the highest level of trust and assures consumers that they are dealing with a trusted site.
EVs are the standard for eCommerce sites. They trigger high-security browsers to display a green address bar with the company’s or organization’s name. To obtain an EV, you must go through a rigorous vetting process.
A certificate authority, or CA, is an organization or company that issues digital certificates. They are responsible for validating the identities of entities, whether it’s a website page, email address, a company or even an individual person.
Digital certificates offer:
A CA is the organization that you will request your SSL certificate from.
Along with installing an SSL certificate, it’s also important to ensure that your server is configured properly.
Here are some best practices to consider:
If you’re unsure of how to configure your server files, it’s best to hire a professional to provide guidance and handle this task for you.
Links, internal and external, can change over time. It’s essential to ensure that you revisit links regularly and update them as needed to protect your site’s security.
For example, let’s say that you have a blog post that links to a helpful resource. A visitor clicks that link, and it redirects them to a site with malware.
To avoid situations like this, create a plan to review links and update them as needed.
Website security is of the utmost importance today. Understanding HTTPS and taking steps to make your site more secure will go a long way in helping you gain visitor trust.
