5 Ways to Fix Your Website’s Not Secure Error Message

Websites are the backbone for businesses, groups, and individuals to communicate with their audience, making web security essential. When the domain name or URL you enter reaches a page displaying a Not Secure error message, it can severely undermine user confidence, reveal private information, and even harm search engine rankings.

So, what should you do when your website shows the Not Secure error message? Keeping a safe and reliable online experience for you and your visitors requires understanding why this message appears and how to fix it. In this guide, let’s explore the reasons behind the “Not Secure” message, its ramifications, and practical solutions to deal with it.

Understanding the Not Secure Error Message

The “Not Secure” warning is displayed in web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari to alert users that the connection between their browser and the website they are visiting is not secured. This warning is tied to the website’s domain and URL, where the domain is the primary address of the website (e.g., example.com) and the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) includes the domain along with additional path and protocol information (e.g., http://example.com/page). When the URL begins with “http://” instead of “https://”, it indicates that the website is not using a secure, encrypted connection, triggering the “Not Secure” warning.

This usually occurs when an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) website is delivered rather than an HTTPS (HTTP Secure) page. These are the contents of each protocol:

HTTP

Transfers information in plain text between the browser and the website server, leaving it open to hostile parties’ interception. The security of user privacy and data is in danger due to the absence of encryption.

HTTPS

Encrypts information sent via an SSL/TLS (Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security) certificate between the user’s browser and the website server. Sensitive data, including payment information, login credentials, and personal information, is protected and kept private with HTTPS.

Significance of Website Security

Website security is vital for user trust, search engine rankings, regulatory compliance, plus data protection. For those new to web hosting, understanding the importance of security is pivotal as it assists in fostering a better online identity. Search engines like Google also prefer secure websites in search results; websites that use HTTPS protect user information and receive a competitive advantage in search engine optimization (SEO). Ensuring your website is secure improves your brand or business’s reputation and shows you are dedicated to safeguarding your visitors’ information.

Impact On Website Visitors

The Not Secure error message visitors see on your website can impact how they perceive your business. To successfully address this warning and preserve user trust, it is imperative to comprehend the implications. The “Not Secure” error could have the following impact on your visitors:

Loss of Trust & Credibility

The “Not Secure” right next to your website’s URL instantly affects visitor confidence. Viewers may doubt the security of their personal information after seeing this warning at a time when their top concern is internet security. As a result of this lack of trust, potential customers may be discouraged from interacting with your website, completing purchases, or disclosing sensitive information.

Security Concerns

The Not Secure error message can cause users to be aware of internet security threats and doubt your website’s security. They could be reluctant to enter sensitive data, like payment information or login passwords, for fear of being intercepted by malicious parties. Visitors may opt for competitors’ websites instead of yours if they are concerned about data security.

User Experience Impact

The “Not Secure” warning can negatively impact user experience (UX), confidence and security. Visitors could become frustrated and dissatisfied if they believe your website is outdated or disregards fundamental security requirements. Poor user experience (UX) can lead to higher bounce rates, which affect your site’s overall performance metrics, as users leave without engaging further.

SEO & Search Engine Implications

To protect a website user’s privacy, search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in their search results. Websites that use HTTPS are ranked higher, while websites marked as “Not Secure” may be less visible and earn less organic traffic. This could undermine your SEO efforts plus reduce the number of people your website can reach and draw in via search engine results pages (SERPs).

Compliance & Legal Concerns

Failing to protect your website with HTTPS may contravene industry standards and legal regulations, depending on your company and location. Financial penalties and legal ramifications may follow noncompliance with data protection legislation, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Ensuring your website is secure will show your dedication to protecting user privacy and help reduce legal risks.

5 Ways to Fix a Not Secure Error Message

Prioritizing website security will help you increase visitor confidence, improve user experience, and boost search engine optimization. Also, remedy a Not Secure error message immediately. Safeguarding your website from security risks not only preserves confidential data but also enhances the reputation of your business and encourages enduring client loyalty.

1. Transition to HTTPS

The first step in fixing a “Not Secure” alert on your website is to switch it from HTTP to HTTPS. Getting an SSL certificate and setting up your web server to use HTTPS are the first steps to achieving this. To use HTTPS, follow these steps:

Obtain an SSL Certificate

Purchase an SSL certificate from a reputable Certificate Authority (CA), such as Let’s Encrypt, Comodo, or Symantec, that meets your website’s requirements (e.g., single domain, multiple domains, or subdomains). Alternatively, get an SSL certificate for free with web hosting plans from providers like Hosted.com.

Install the SSL Certificate

To install the SSL certificate on your web server, follow the instructions provided by your web hosting provider. Many hosting companies provide resources and assistance to facilitate this process, and often automatically install them when you sign up.

Update Internal Links

Ensure all internal links on your website lead to HTTPS URLs to avoid mixed content alerts and preserve security.

2. Install & Configure an SSL Certificate

Your website has an SSL certificate; it encrypts data between users and your web server. The steps to install and set up an SSL certificate are as follows:

• Select the Appropriate SSL Certificate – Choose the SSL certificate type (DV, OV, EV, etc.) that best suits your security requirements and validation standards.
• Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) – Using your hosting control panel or web server, create a CSR and submit it to the CA.
• Install the SSL Certificate – Once issued, install the SSL certificate on your web server following the CA’s guidelines.
• Verify SSL Installation – To ensure the SSL certificate is installed correctly and is operational, use internet tools or browser plugins.

3. Fix Mixed Content Issues

When unsafe HTTP resources (such as scripts, stylesheets, and pictures) are loaded by a secure HTTPS page, this results in mixed content. Browsers may display the “Not Secure” alert because of this. Here’s how problems with mixed content are resolved:

• Employ relative URLs – To avoid mixed content warnings, use relative URLs (e.g., //example.com/image.jpg) rather than absolute HTTP URLs.
• Refresh the references & links – Ensure every resource (ie. stylesheets, scripts, and pictures) is referred to on your website using an HTTPS URL.
• Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) – Set up a CSP to improve your website’s security by preventing the loading of untrusted information.

4. Check for Insecure Content

Check your website regularly for information that could cause the “Not Secure” alert to appear. Third-party scripts that do not support HTTPS, out-of-date plugins, and HTTP links are examples of unsafe content. This is how to recognize and address unsafe content:

• Use Browser Developer Tools – Use browser developer tools (like those for Firefox and Chrome) to examine network requests and find content that isn’t secure.
• Update External Scripts & Plugins – Verify that all third-party plugins and scripts used on your website support HTTPS.
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) – Ensure your choice of CDN supports HTTPS content delivery. To require HTTPS for all resources, update the CDN configurations.

5. Keep Software Updated

Outdated software, such as web server software, plugins, themes, and content management systems (CMS), present security vulnerabilities and could trigger the “Not Secure” alert. Update every part of your website regularly:

• CMS Updates – Update your CMS (like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal) to the most recent stable version. If possible, enable automatic updates.
• Updates for Plugins & Themes – Install the most recent versions of plugins and themes. Remove unused themes and incompatible plugins to lower security risks.
• Updates for Web Servers – Ensure you apply the most recent security patches and customizations to your web server software (such as Apache or Nginx).

Conclusion

To maintain trust among visitors, and safeguard user data, it’s vital to fix the Not Secure error message and secure your website. By using HTTPS, installing an SSL certificate, resolving mixed content concerns, detecting insecure content, and regularly updating software, security risks can be efficiently reduced, and visitors can securely browse your website. Put these best practices into motion right now to protect your website and show that you are dedicated to keeping it trustworthy and safe.

Ensuring your website is safe protects your data, improves user experience and helps with search engine optimization. You can provide a safer online experience for your visitors and show that you are a reliable and secure source if you recognize and resolve the reasons behind the “Not Secure” alert.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Not Secure error message indicates that the connection between the user’s browser and your website is not encrypted.
• Websites using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) transmit data in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception.
• Concerns over data security may lead users to abandon your site and seek safer alternatives.
• Securing your website against the Not Secure error message is essential for achieving online goals, maintaining visitor trust, and safeguarding user data.
• Critical steps include implementing HTTPS, installing SSL certificates, addressing mixed content issues, identifying insecure content, and updating software regularly.
• Act now to protect your website and demonstrate your commitment to providing a secure and reliable online user experience.

FAQs

Other Related Blogs:

– SSL Certificate – What it is, Why it is Needed, and How to Set It Up

– What Is a Multi Domain SSL Certificate?

– A Simple Explanation of SSL Certificate Errors & How to Fix Them

– How To Renew SSL Certificates For A Website

– How to Get a Free Domain Name and a Free SSL Certificate