One little letter in a URL is what separates a secure connection from an insecure connection in your web browser. That is not to say there could not be malicious code lying in wait for you at the site you are connecting to. The five letters in https, the little lock that appears in the browser next to the url, they represent a handshake between your browser and the web server. In that handshake a secure connection is made that does not allow a third party to act a middle man and intercept or inject it’s own data.

Why is this important to know. Secure websites have a Secure Socket Layer Certificate installed on the server. If you have a webpage with a form not protected by an SSL certficate the Google Chrome browser will start warning your visitors that the page is not secure. Your  visitors will then think that your site is broken and leave or close the browser window. When a measure of a site is how you engage visitors and turn them into customers this can quickly become an issue. While Google Chrome is the first it will not be the last as the other browser makers follow their lead.

What to do now. Secure your site. I have a request a quote form on my site that will cause a warning so I will need to install an SSL certificate. Now is the time to talk to your IT guy/webmaster/tech guru about upgrading from http to https. If you don’t have anyone email me at john@panolatech.com or you can use my Request a Quote form.