This fall marks a big shift in the way Google Chrome handles security with certain websites. This means it is more important than ever for business owners and webmasters to have sites that are certified as being secure, with an HTTPS designation. Pay attention because the Google Chrome security settings have changed, and you’ll want to be in the know on this one, trust me.

These changes arose out of January’s release of Chrome version 56, which designates HTTP sites as “not secure” if the site has any password or credit card forms. Version 62 was slated to be released in October, which adds an additional “not secure” warning if a website requests any type of personal information—this includes contact forms, website offers, newsletter signup fields and more. The ultimate plan is for Google to label all HTTP sites as “not secure.”

Websites that still have an HTTP designation are in danger of not being viewed or being blocked from a significant portion of users, as 60 percent of all people are currently using Chrome as their primary browser. If your business is online with its own website, you should actively work to prevent this! Web traffic matters, right?

What You Need to Know About Chrome Security Settings

For companies that do a lot of their business or generate a lot of their leads online, this could mean a major loss of business. There has already been a 23 percent reduction in the fraction of navigations to HTTP pages that have either credit card or password forms since the changes were introduced in January. That number is expected to skyrocket after October’s changes go into effect.

Here is what you can do right now to secure your Chrome security settings:

HOW TO CHANGE TO HTTPS

So how do you get your site to be an HTTPS website instead of an HTTP website? The process is fairly straightforward, as there are many SSL certificate vendors and packages available:

  • Purchase an SSL certificate.
  • Install the SSL certificate on the hosting account you use for your website.
  • Ensure all of the links on your website are changed from HTTP to HTTPS so they will not be broken after your SSL certificate is installed.
  • Set up a series of 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS so all search engines are aware your website’s address has changed and so that anyone who has previously bookmarked any pages on your site will be automatically redirected to the secure HTTPS address after you have made the switch.

The process really is that simple. You may even be able to have your hosting service manage most of the changeover process for you.

There are multiple options available for SSL certificates, as companies tend to offer multiple packages. Some allow you to install your SSL certificate on multiple subdomains, others offer extended validation, others ensure mobile and browser compatibility. Consider the browsing habits of your users, your target audience and the way you use your website as you decide which type of package you will choose.


For more information about improving your website security, contact us today at Conroy Creative Counsel. We’ll work with you to guarantee that your Chrome security settings are up to date.

What measures have you taken already to make sure that your website is thoroughly secure?

Article: Original Source