HTTP to HTTPS and the future security of the web.
November 13, 2017
Recently I got a really scary warning from Google about my website. It said:
"Chrome will show security warnings about this website..."
It continued:
"Starting October 2017, Chrome (version 62) will show a “NOT SECURE” warning when users enter text in a form on an HTTP page, and for all HTTP pages in Incognito mode.
The following URLs on your site include text input fields (such as < input type="text" > or < input type="email" >) that will trigger the new Chrome warning. Review these examples to see where these warnings will appear, so that you can take action to help protect users’ data. This list is not exhaustive."
Internet security is a big issue these days. I certainly did not want my website visitors to see this and feel my website was not secure! This warning is enough to throw me into a nauseous spasm of internet inadequacy. Most of my silver repair business is with people emailing me through my website. None of us can afford to lose potential customers.
HTTPS is the future of the internet. If you look at all the major retailing sites, they have migrated from the original HTTP address to the newer and more secure HTTPS. Sticking my head in the sand (or retreating to my metalsmithing studio) would not fix this problem. I could not go out and water my plants or snack my way through this problem.
https is also the reason for this post. I checked a random but broad selection of artist's, and maker's websites to see if this post would be relevant. Many had the old http prefix which makes them "not secure" in the current internet standards. I even found the http prefix on art organization's websites. This is a serious issue.
Ultimately, the solution came a lot easier than I initially imagined. The "Help" contact on SquareSpace, told me the 1, 2, 3 steps to fix the problem. I am most grateful for their chat assistance.
Take steps to keep your web presence secure.
Another security issue I noticed on artists' websites is that they posted their email. WARNING: Do not post your email online. Bots will capture your email and send you unsolicited email. Instead, provide a link to an email program or have a contact form instead.
Is your website working for you? Is it establishing the web presence and visibility for your work? If you can't be found on the internet, do you even exist? Well, not much in the commerce and visibility of the web.
Harriete
PS. Are you guessing about the ideal size for images on social networks? Here is a guide for Social media image sizes in 2017