Do you see a padlock sign on your website or on any website you visit? Does this visual cue on your browser’s screen indicate that the website you are currently visiting is guaranteed to have a “secure” connection? Even with the best cloud hosting on your specific website, there’s an assigned digital certificate (HTTPS).
Users believe that since the HTTPS protocol signifies something related to security, the padlock means it has to be secure. Although this assumption is an oversimplification of the protocol’s actual capabilities, it can lead to dangerous consequences for both the cheapest shared hosting website owners and visitors. By knowing what HTTPS is capable of, both website visitors and website owners can take precautions to protect themselves from any potential harm.
Basic Overview of HTTPS
The HTTPS protocol encrypts communications between users’ browsers and web servers.
This means that HTTPS:
- Protects data in transit from being intercepted or read by an attacker who has access to the same local network as the user connecting to the website (e.g., public WiFi). Further, it also protects users’ sensitive information (e.g., usernames, passwords, and credit card information) from being accessed by third-party users over that same public WiFi connection.
- Provides cryptographic authentication of the website (web server) connecting to the user. It proves that the website is the real owner of the name you typed in.
HTTPS does two big things: it encrypts your data and proves you’re connected to the real website, not a fake one.
This double layer of protection keeps your content safe from hackers—whether they are trying to just sneak in to watch your traffic or actively attack your website. However, the HTTPS protocol doesn’t authenticate the user; it’s limited to the websites only.
The False Sense of Safety
1. HTTPS Does Not Guarantee a Trustworthy Website
Just because a website uses HTTPS doesn’t mean it is safe or trustworthy; it means that information being sent between you and that website is encrypted. Cybercriminals today are increasingly using valid HTTPS certificates, especially free Domain Validation Certificates, to lend an air of legitimacy to their fraudulent websites.
According to studies, a significant percentage of phishing/scam websites are now on HTTPS because of the false sense of security provided to users with the padlock sign.
A user can mistakenly enter credit card, Social Security number, or bank account information on such fraudulent websites. However, the padlock only encrypts information while it is being sent over the internet; it doesn’t validate any of the subsequent transmissions from that website.
2. HTTPS Doesn’t Shield Against Malware
Your web browser’s connection to a website using HTTPS may be secure, but this doesn’t mean that the data delivered to you through that connection has been scanned for malware. An HTTPS-enabled website could still host malicious scripts or serve as a source for malware transfers to your device.
A website using HTTPS may:
- Be a source of malware that is being downloaded onto your device.
- Utilize malicious scripts that could potentially compromise your device.
- Have a server that was hacked, which results in your data being stolen or compromised.
HTTPS prevents snooping while the data is stored on the server. On the other hand, once it is decrypted, it isn’t possible to protect any potential illicit activity occurring on the connection.
3. The Padlock Doesn’t Shield Against Human-Centric Attacks
The use of phishing, social engineering, and misleading domain names takes advantage of users’ trust. HTTPS fails to stop users from clicking on fake links or entering information on fake websites. Fake domains appear similar to real domains with only minor character differences (e.g., misspellings or using similar characters) and can have the same HTTPS encryption.
As users have stated in various online scam and cybersecurity forums, the padlock icon displayed next to a website URL indicates only that the website is encrypted, but doesn’t indicate whether the website is safe to use. They warn, “HTTPS = Secure Connection, but not necessarily a Secure Website.”
Why HTTPS Still Matters
While HTTPS is inadequate by itself, it is also a vital component of security:
- It protects the data in transit so no one can snoop in on the information sent to and received from you or tamper with it.
- Web browsers today are beginning to flag all non-HTTPS websites as “Not Secure,” leading to highly secure practices from all website owners.
- Search engines, including Google, have begun to include the use of HTTPS as a ranking factor (indirectly encouraging its usage).
As a foundational base, HTTPS isn’t “full security.” Think of it as locking your door to your online communication, but not checking who is behind that locked door.
What Else Is Needed for Secure Websites Beyond HTTPS?
HTTPS should be one layer of a broader, multi-layered approach to securing your website. Here is a list of the additional components that also protect your website from being compromised by malicious attackers.
1. Web Application Security
Make sure that you have updated the software (CMS, plugins, themes, etc.) running on your website and that it doesn’t have any vulnerabilities. Most malicious hackers look for loopholes in software, and HTTPS doesn’t protect the software with a vulnerable component.
2. Content Verification and Reputation
Please use a service or application that provides you with links to a website or checks for any malicious links, etc., before submitting any type of sensitive information to that website.
3. Educate About Online Security
Encourage your customers to think critically in their interactions with websites; use caution when entering any sensitive information, and always double-check the name of the domain and its URL. Remember that HTTPS may not guarantee a safe visit.
4. Server-Side Security
The server-side security solutions mean that applying a combination of techniques, such as patching servers, configuring firewalls, performing regular malware scans, and setting up intrusion detection systems, provides the server additional protection beyond just having encryption.
Closing Perspective
HTTPS is an important initial layer of protection for every website in today’s environment; however, it doesn’t provide full protection for data or the website itself. Although HTTPS ensures secure data transfer between users and servers, it offers no protection against malicious activities or claims targeting the website owner or operator.
This clarification between what’s protected when using HTTPS will allow both website owners and users to avoid confusion about security. This also helps them to adopt a higher standard of safety practices for their online data for building trust.
