This post is part of our blog post series on WordPress Security. Read our other post on disabling REST API access.
An essential step you can take to ensure the security of your WordPress site is securing your site with a SSL certificate and enabling HTTPS.
In this post, we explore the relationship between SSL and HTTPS, and why a SSL certificate is a must-have for your WordPress website.
What are SSL and HTTPS?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
SSL is a protocol used on the Web for encrypting website data. (Note: TLS is an updated, more secure version of SSL, also still commonly referred to as SSL). It uses encryption to encode data as it travels between your browser and the website’s server. This prevents malicious parties from intercepting and reading sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data.
SSL ensures that the data exchanged between your browser and the server is secure and reliable. This means you can trust that the information you send and receive is accurate.
SSL certificates, issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), also authenticate the identity of the website. This confirms to users that they are on a real website, and not a fake one trying to steal their information.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
HTTPS is an enhanced version of HTTP that provides a secure browsing experience. HTTPS establishes a secure connection between your browser and the website using SSL/TLS protocols. It safeguards your privacy by encrypting sensitive information, ensuring confidentiality and preventing unauthorized access.
Websites using HTTPS provide visual indicators like a padlock icon or a green address bar in your browser. These signals reassures visitors that the connection is secure from being intercepted.
In summary, SSL/TLS and HTTPS work together to keep your online activities safe and secure. Collectively, they secure confidential data, verify the legitimacy of websites, and offer visual indicators to assist you in steering clear of potentially malicious websites.
Installing a SSL/TLS certificate
To enable HTTPS with your domain name, you must have an SSL or TLS certificate installed on your website. Your web hosting provider may provide HTTPS security, or you can obtain an SSL/TLS certificate from Certificate Authorities (CA) and install it on your own.
Why Do You Need a WordPress SSL Certificate?
For any business, a SSL certificate is a must have for your website. Here are some reasons why you need one for your WordPress website:
Protects Website Visitors
SSL certificates protect against cyber threats like data breaches and identity theft. An SSL certificate encrypts data as it travels between your web browser and the website’s server, jumbling confidential data such as passwords, credit card details, and personal information. This layer of protection helps website visitors stay safe while visiting your website.
Increases Trust and Credibility
Websites that use HTTPS (secured by SSL) display trust indicators like a padlock icon in your browser. These signals reassure visitors that the website is authentic and that their information is safe. Without an SSL certificate, visitors may hesitate to share personal information or make a purchase, impacting the credibility and trustworthiness of your website.
Compliance and SEO Benefits
Since 2014, Google has included HTTPS as a ranking factor for SEO. Even if your website doesn’t collect confidential information, it is a best practice to install a SSL certificate to help improve your SEO efforts. In addition, to comply with data collection polices like GDPR, it is essential to have HTTPS enabled to safeguard information related to your website visitors from falling into the wrong hands.
Improved User Experience
Ensuring that your site is secure allows for a seamless user experience when someone visits your website. In the absence of an SSL or TLS certificate, your website users may be surprised to see a security warning when they visit your site. This is because many web browsers, including Google, display a ‘Not Secure’ alert and might even prevent users from entering the site as a safety measure.
Improve the Security of Your WordPress site with SSL/TLS and HTTPS
Overall, a SSL/TLS certificate and HTTPS work together to create an added layer of security for your WordPress website. Even if your site doesn’t collect confidential information, it is a best practice for modern websites.
If you need assistance with creating a secure WordPress site, Nine Isle Solutions is here to help. Learn more about our WordPress web design services.