Online security is a growing concern for both businesses and techies. Incidents of malware attacks and unauthorized access of sensitive data are occurring frequently, leaving both organizations and the Internet users equally vulnerable to online scams. In this circumstance, IT professionals associated with a leading SEO agency in London shares some crucial tips related to the online security aspect.

Online security and HTTP

HTTP is the acronym or shortened form of Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. WWW or World Wide Web uses this protocol.

The protocol defines the actions that both servers and browsers should take while responding to certain commands or messages.

Suppose, you enter a URL in your browser: totalityservices.co.uk
It sends an HTTP command to the web server.

The command instructs the server to fetch and transmit the particular webpage.

In simpler words, HTTP is responsible to permit network elements to enable (and also improve) communication between servers and clients. 

Understanding the HTTPS

HTTPS is a more secured version of the HTTP protocol. In fact, the ‘S’ in HTTPS stands for secure or security and denotes every communication in between the website and your browser is encrypted or scrambled.

Cyber security experts fully managing IT Support Company in London explain that HTTPS is used to throw security blanket over highly confidential online transactions to protect them from hacking or unauthorised user access. The HTTPS protocol in an unwritten convention for banking websites and online shopping order forms. 

The HTTPS protocol provides encryption to ensure integrity, confidentiality and identity of any online transaction.

The TLS and SSL certificates

TLS stands for Transport Layer Security, while SSL is Secure Sockets Layer. These certificates are installed on websites to enable transcription of the data transferred between the server of a website and a user’s browser. Once the security certificates are installed, communications between website servers and web browsers become secured. As a result, users can safely log in, make credit card transactions and transfer data without the risk of any unauthorised, third-party user access. 

The TSL and SSL security certificates have minimal differences. Ignoring the discrepancies, they both contribute to establish the aspect of security and help your business grow.

Checking the TLS or SSL certificates on a website

Techies associated with IT support in London suggest the following steps to check whether a website has any security certificate installed.

It is easy to check the SSL and TLS certificates installed on websites. Type in a URL and add https:// before www and then press ‘Enter’.

Only a secured website will load with https:// at the front.
If the website is not secured it won’t get load unless there’s an automatic redirect map from https:// to http://.

It is high-time for businesses to migrate from HTTP to the more secured environment of HTTPS. The reasons are many and include the following:

Reasons why websites should have the HTTPS:// protocol and not the HTTP://

SERP listing

On August 6, 2014 Google officially confirmed that HTTPS is a ranking factor for SERP. This is surely one of the biggest factors for installing the security certificates to any website.

Safety and security issues

Many small and startup brands assume they are immune to get hacked because their volume of business is too small to attract hackers. This is a severe misconception. These days, most hacking is done by carefully scripted bots. These bots constantly look for any vulnerability in a website, regardless of any other factor like its business volume, revenue figures and others.

By not installing the HTTPS security certificate, you are just opening the door to hackers. The HTTPS protocol is a basic necessity for websites that accept payment, have passwords, login portals or even have a web form.

Many renowned web hosting agencies will ask you to install the security certificate before allowing you install a payment gateway.  

On the other hand, as a user will you readily agree to enter your credit or debit card details, on a website that has no protection between your machine and its server? The same is valid in case of passwords. Many users maintain the same password for multiple accounts. These people must be provided with security from cyber hackers.

GDPR or General Data Protection Regulation

As per the new data protection regulation, it is mandatory for every business that collects personal identifiable data to put the necessary security measures in place to protect that data from unauthorized users.

Totality Services is a renowned IT-solutions provider in London. To ensure security measures for your website, you can rely on this organization. These people are committed to provide quality service at affordable cost for small and medium-sized businesses.