From HTTP to HTTPS: here are the new Google provisions to stay high in search engine positions and for safe browsing
From the 1 January 2017 Google is discouraging pages with HTTP connection in favor of those with HTTPS connection.
With the new Chrome and Firefox browser update, all resulting sites lacking SSL certification they will be labeled with the words "unsafe site" (discover ours "Guide to symbols for safe navigation").
In fact, for several months now Google has been carrying out a campaign for web security, rewarding sites with a security protocol with a ranking among the first results on its search engines.
With the release of Chrome 56, scheduled for January 2017, all http sites that exchange personal data will be reported to the user as unsafe for the benefit of the protocol HTTPS which instead will be inserted into the algorithm.
This update is not to be underestimated when you think that Chrome is the most used browser in the world.
On top of that, there is also the fact that sites lacking the HTTPS security protocol after the update they will be penalized in the results of the Google search engine, which is no small problem if we consider that the same is the most used search engine in the world, Mostly in Italy where is it it is used by over 95% of Internet users.
What is the HTTPS protocol?
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an internet communication protocol that protects the integrity and confidentiality of data exchanged between computers and websites.
Browsing a site with https protocol you are guaranteed a safe navigation between the visitor of the website and the server that hosts the site, thus ensuring that users comply with the privacy and the protection of data exchanged regardless of the contents of the site.
How does the HTTPS protocol work?
Data sent using https are protected by the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol which provides three essential levels of protection:
- Encryption: that is, the data exchanged is encrypted to protect them from interception. This means that while the user consults a website, no one can track his conversations, consult the activities carried out on multiple pages or steal his information.
- Data integrity: Data cannot be modified or damaged during the transfer, intentionally or unintentionally, without being detected.
- Authentication- Shows that users are communicating with the intended website. It protects against man-in-the-middle attacks and instills trust in users, bringing further commercial benefits.
How can you adapt your website to HTTPS?
To get the https protocol you need to install a SSL certificate (Secure Socket Layer) and configure the system to work with this protocol.
Migration from HTTP to HTTPS is not mandatory, but those who have a website where an exchange of personal data takes place, such as a e-commerce, obviously he will be forced to acquire certification to migrate his site to the security protocol. Certainly the user who visits a e-commerce in which the word "not safe" appears in red, he is not encouraged to browse, nor to leave his credit card details.
