SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that encrypts data exchanged between a web server and a browser. It guarantees the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of information transmitted over the Internet. SSL is recognized by the HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) prefix in the URL of a website, as well as by the padlock symbol in the address bar.

A site that does not use SSL is exposed to numerous risks, both for itself and for its visitors. Here are the main dangers and ways to protect yourself from them.

Cyberattacks, a real problem

An unsecured site is an easy target for hackers, who can intercept, read or modify data exchanged between the server and the browser. This can have serious consequences, including:

• Theft of personal, banking or professional information from site users
• Misappropriation of the identity of the site or its visitors
• Injecting malicious code onto the site or visitors' devices
• Blocking access to the site or its data by ransomware
• Server saturation by a denial of service attack

These attacks can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, legal proceedings or even administrative sanctions. They affect both large sites and small structures, which are often less well protected.

To avoid these risks, it is essential to use an SSL certificate on your website. An SSL certificate is a digital document which certifies the identity of the site owner and which allows the SSL protocol to be activated. There are different types of SSL certificates, adapted to the needs and budget of each site.

If you don't know how to do it yourself, we invite you to call on tailor-made IT development

Disabled referencing

Since 2014, Google has displayed a warning message when an Internet user tries to connect to an HTTP site . It can even prevent the connection if the risk is too high.

This negatively impacts site traffic and visibility, losing potential visitors and conversion opportunities.

To improve your natural referencing and your credibility with search engines , it is therefore essential to switch your site to HTTPS. This involves installing an SSL certificate on your web server, but also updating your internal and external links, redirecting old URLs to new ones, and correctly configuring your robots.txt file and sitemap.

Loss of trust from your users

Finally, an unsecured site can harm the trust and loyalty of its users. Indeed, Internet users are increasingly sensitive to the security of their personal data on the Internet. They easily recognize the signs of a secure site, like HTTPS, and are wary of sites that don't have them.

An unsecured site can therefore scare away visitors, who fear for their privacy or security. This is particularly true for sites that request sensitive information, such as e-commerce sites, banking sites or administrative sites.

To reassure its users and strengthen their confidence, it is therefore essential to secure your site with SSL. This not only protects their data, but also shows them that the site is serious and professional.

Conclusion

SSL is an essential security protocol for any website that wants to protect itself from cyberattacks, improve its SEO and retain its users. There are solutions adapted to all needs and budgets to switch your site to HTTPS. If you are looking for a cheap SSL certificate, do not hesitate to check out the offers from SSL2BUY, a quality and trusted SSL certificate provider.