12 Reasons You Need an SSL Today

With so much happening online today, it is no wonder that cybersecurity has become a hot topic. But in 2017, online security is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Here are 12 reasons why every website needs an SSL certificate. 

Let’s start with the obvious: Security, of course!

Since the SSL certificate was introduced, the main reason to use one has always been to help protect sensitive information online. 

Typical reasons a website administrator might want or need an SSL certificate:

1. If you are selling goods and services, taking credit card information or processing payments on your website, an SSL is required in order to meet PCI compliance standards.
2. If you run a membership website that collects email addresses, names, passwords, etc., an SSL is strongly recommended to protect this sensitive information.
3. If your website uses forms or collects personal information, documents, photos, etc., then an SSL is strongly recommended to protect any potentially sensitive information which could be exposed.

But it’s more than just security… 

From SEO benefits to protection against malware and more! SSL encryption has long since come with other perks too: 

4. Improved SEO: Google announced in 2014 that websites using an SSL may receive a minor ranking boost.
5. Earn customer trust: Customers recognize security flags and messages when browsing the web, and they will tend to shy away when the secure ‘padlock’ icon is not present in their browser address bar. 
6. Protection against phishing attacks: Links to invalid phishing sites are easier to spot when a website uses an SSL certificate because they set off browser security alerts.
7. Protection against malware injection: Because an SSL makes it impossible for hackers to intercept and inject data into encrypted communications, you’ll spend less time worrying about malware. 

It’s becoming a standard…

If the above perks aren’t enough, the biggest reasons to finally secure your website have to do with where the web industry is heading. A movement toward a safer web is gaining serious momentum, and there will soon be negative implications for websites that aren’t encrypted.

8. In January of 2017, Google Chrome began “shaming” unencrypted websites that collect passwords or credit card information by displaying a ‘Not-Secure’ message within the browser.
9. Though the date is yet to be disclosed, eventually Chrome will begin “shaming” ALL unencrypted websites using the same ‘Not Secure’ flag.  
10. Other browsers (Firefox, Safari, etc.) are likely to follow suit.
11. There is a growing movement to “encrypt everything” on the internet.
12. New technologies are removing previous encryption performance penalties, and can instead actually help improve website performance!

So, there you have it; the internet is clearly making a move to favor encryption, and as a result, shun websites that fail to follow suit. Ready to make the switch? Contact Global Reach today!