Google Security Update 2018: Will it affect my website?
What update?
Earlier this year, Google announced a change to their security policy in an effort to make the internet a safer place for users. SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates have been around for years and have helped increase website rankings on Google for the last several years. Google is now taking it one step further by penalizing sites that do not have SSL certificates. Sites with an HTTP instead of an HTTPS will show a “not secure” message to users.
Secure sites will have a green lock next to the website URL like in the image below.
What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL Certificates keep user information safe by encrypting things like names, passwords, and credit card numbers.
An SSL Certificate, also known as a Secure Socket Layer certificate, will ensure that your data between your web server and the browser remains secure. If a hacker tries steal your data they cannot decrypt your data because they do not have the key to access your information.
How to get an SSL Certificate:
#1 Call your web developer or hosting company and ask about getting SSL installed.
#2 Ask about hosting with Long Point Digital. All of our hosting clients get a free SSL certificate.
Long Point Digital is a digital marketing company located in Palisade, Colorado. We offer premium hosting for website and digital marketing clients. Our web team checks monthly for security and plug-in updates and monitors site performance following each update. Monthly backups ensure that no client ever loses their website. Our team is dedicated to making sure our clients maintain a strong and consistent web presence.
