Why is there no green padlock on my website?
One common feature that web users look for to ensure their safety while browsing is the green padlock icon in the URL bar.
This symbol indicates that a website has an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate, which encrypts sensitive information and protects it from hackers.
However, there are instances when websites do not display this green padlock icon despite having an SSL certificate. This can be alarming for website owners who want to assure their visitors of their site’s security. In this article, we will explore some possible reasons why your website may not have a green padlock, and what steps you can take to fix it.
Why No Green Padlock?
Mixed content and expired certificate are two common causes of the ‘no green padlock’ issue on websites. Mixed content occurs when a website has both secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) resources, such as images or scripts. This can cause the browser to block the non-secure content, resulting in an insecure connection warning.
To fix mixed content issues, website owners should ensure that all resources are served over HTTPS. This involves updating any links or references to HTTP resources, including external scripts or images.
Expired certificates can also cause the ‘no green padlock’ issue as they indicate that a website’s SSL/TLS certificate has expired. This means that the encryption used to protect sensitive information is no longer valid, leaving visitors vulnerable to attacks.
To fix this issue, website owners should renew their SSL/TLS certificate through their hosting provider or certificate authority. Additionally, they should make sure that their SSL/TLS configuration is up-to-date and follows best practices for secure connections.
The final reason why you might not have a green padlock is that your web hosting provider does not support SSL. This is not very common, but it can happen. If this is the case, you will need to switch to a different web hosting provider that does support SSL.
Test your website with SSL checker
One way to test your website and determine if it has SSL encryption is by using an SSL checker. This tool will scan your website’s domain and check if it has a valid SSL certificate installed. It will also verify the certificate’s details, such as its expiration date, issuance authority, and whether it matches the domain name.
The SSL checker will present you with a report that shows the current status of your website’s SSL encryption. If there are any issues detected, such as an expired or invalid certificate or mixed content warnings (HTTP elements on HTTPS pages), then you can take steps to resolve them.
By regularly testing your website with an SSL checker, you can ensure that your visitors are protected from cyber threats and potential data breaches. It also helps maintain trust in your brand by showing customers that their privacy and security are a top priority for your business.
Advantages of Using SSL Certificate
There are several advantages to having your website under https, but the primary ones are:
Trust
A user feels safer when he accesses your website and sees the green padlock. Additionally, Google Chrome placed the phrase “It’s safe” to the side at some point, which comforts.
Security
Any data entered on your website in any form will be encrypted, making it impossible for anybody to change or read it. This is crucial if you operate an online store to prevent future issues brought on by card number theft.
By the way, this is not that insane; all it takes is for it to be on an open Wi-Fi network of any cafeteria and for you to make a purchase online (assuming your website is not SSL-secured) for anybody to obtain the card information. You are the one who will object, and you have a problem.
SEO
Since last year, Google has incorporated SSL certification as a ranking factor in its algorithm. In other words, the search engine will prefer a website with HTTPS over one with HTTP (other things being equal).
Search engines, such as Google, prioritize secure websites and rank them higher in search results. This means that having an SSL certificate can improve the visibility and credibility of your website, making it easier for potential customers to find you.
Ensures Secure Transactions
One of the most significant advantages of using an SSL certificate is that it ensures secure transactions on your website. SSL certificates encrypt the data transferred between a user’s browser and your website’s server. This encryption ensures that any sensitive information, such as credit card details, personal information, or login credentials, cannot be intercepted by hackers.
Without an SSL certificate, all data transmitted between two parties can be easily accessed by cybercriminals who use various techniques like man-in-the-middle attacks to steal sensitive information. However, with an SSL certificate in place, even if a hacker intercepts the data in transit, they won’t be able to read it because the encryption makes it unreadable.
In addition to providing encryption for sensitive data transmission, an SSL certificate also authenticates your website’s identity. This means that users can trust that they are communicating with the correct website and not a fraudulent one created by hackers. As online security becomes increasingly important to users worldwide, having an SSL certificate is essential for building trust with customers and ensuring secure transactions on your website.
