Your Connection Is Not Secure : How To Fix

The security warning "your connection is not secure" has been a thorn on my flesh for a couple of days. Finally, I have resolved this issue!. On this post, I will be discussing one root causation of this security warning and the correlation with the Pretty Links plugin.

Google Security Update

Google released a security update in September 2016 titled moving towards a more secure web. They informed web users and webmasters that beginning from January 2017, they will mark HTTP pages that collect passwords or credit cards as non-secure. This was a part of their long-term plan to mark all HTTP sites as non- secure.

We are now in 2018. It is safe to conclude that this longterm plan has fully kicked in. The not secure warning is displayed by most web browsers (Google, IE, Firefox etc). If you are experiencing this security warning, one root causation is that some of your web pages are been loaded via HTTP.

Security Warning Correlation with HTTP

Taking a look at the image below. You can clearly see that the generated links are HTTP not HTTPS.

After incorporating these links into my SiteRubix website (Sample page), the security warning appears. See the image below

Besides the blurry picture, you can still see that the security warning is displayed. The web user is warned not to enter any sensitive information on this site. This security warning is due to the HTTP generated links via Pretty Links. However, I must stress that this is an unusual occurrence because in most cases the generated links from Pretty links are HTTPS.

Consequences for Online Business (Website) Owners

This issue presents a serious concern for website owners. It leads to an immediate lack of trust from visitors and could result in the following:

1. Increased Cart Abandonment
   
2. Increased Bounce Rate
3. Poor Ranking

Problem Resolution

First make sure that your SSL is active (On).

You can convert all HTTP URL on your wordpress site to HTTPS using a plugin called Better Search Repalce.

(Install and Activate)

Add new plugin - Install and activate the Better Search Replace plugin
Click on Tools on your wordpress site
Click on Better Search Replace

Run the following Fixes

1. Search for http
   
2. Replace with https
3. Select all tables (All should be highlighted)
4. Uncheck the Run as dry run box
5. Run Search/ Replace

After you have done . Run a second fix this time search for httpss and replace with https.The security warning will be removed and the secure connection green padlock icon displayed.

If your website does not display the secure connection green padlock icon. You could use WhyNoPadlock to analyse your URL to find out why.

I hope this helps anyone else experiencing this problem.