An internet giant, on which the very existence of almost all online services worldwide depends, makes one thing clear: no SSL means no basic protection. Google spares no effort to bring about a situation in which SSL certificates become the standard on every website. Company representatives declare that HTTPS is the foundation of security that everyone should adhere to. And what about those who do not comply? Google intends to fight them, and it must be admitted that it holds an argument no one can refute – visibility (or the lack thereof) in the largest and absolutely unrivaled search engine in the world.

Since July 2018, Google Chrome has been taking further steps to show users which websites do not have data encryption. Google’s actions have a negative impact on sites that still use the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), which does not encrypt user data and leaves websites vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks.

Google puts its plan into action

For several years, Google has been a strong advocate of websites secured with the SSL protocol. As early as 2014, it was decided that the search giant would rank secure HTTPS sites higher than those on less secure HTTP servers. In the interest of user safety, Google has been gradually increasing the “penalties” for not implementing SSL certificates. In the spring of 2017, with the release of Chrome 62, Google implemented a system that shows users which websites do not use data encryption. When a user began to enter any information on a website, a “Not Secure” ribbon appeared in the address bar, warning them of the lack of protection.

Now, the Google Chrome browser automatically marks HTTP websites without a secure SSL certificate as “Not Secure.” In Chrome 68, released in the summer of 2018, the “Not Secure” warning appears immediately after the website’s address is entered – users no longer need to start entering data to be informed that they are on an unsecured site. No one who cares about user trust and building credibility online wants their website to be marked with such a negative message. If a website still uses the basic HTTP protocol without SSL, users will notice it instantly.

SSL Certificates guarantee full anonymity

Netscape invented SSL in 1994. Since then, it has gradually gained popularity until it became the widely required standard that users expect today. Yet a vast number of websites still do not use SSL certificates. Thanks to Google’s initiatives, user awareness is growing, and the willingness to visit unsecured sites is drastically decreasing. According to Google representatives, HTTP is a protocol that exposes users’ confidential data. SSL protects the data flow between the website and the user, ensuring that no intermediary can eavesdrop or collect data. It is the cornerstone of protection against cybercriminals. It is also fundamental to maintaining good relations with Google – if you want users to feel safe on your site, it is high time to implement an SSL certificate. According to Google, the Internet should be safe and accessible for everyone – and SSL protocols help achieve that goal. By taking steps to inform users about website security, Google Chrome is making a necessary move to convince website owners of the importance of this issue. Its success is evident in the statistics: in February 2018, 68% of websites used the SSL protocol, and after the release of Chrome 68, this figure rose to 76%.