Enabling SSL on your website is no longer an option. As Google roles out its Chrome update which mark sites that do not have SSL enabled as "unsecure", enabling SLL is now a must as not doing so could hurt your website reputation and business.
Further reading:
How to Install an SSL Certificate in cPanel
How to renew an SSL certificate
SSL Installation: Common Problems and Solutions
Taking advantage of Todhost's Free SSL is easy. Enabling (or forcing) the SSL will give your domain an "HTTPS://" prefix, which ensures your website will be labeled as "secure" in most web browsers.
The Free SSL will be automatically added to every domain for new and existing cPanel platform customers..
The Free SSL lasts for 90 days from issuance and renews automatically at no cost to you so your site hosted with Todhost should never be without an SSL.
New customers will be automatically added to the free SSL upon account sign-up.
Note: The free SSL will not come with any warranty or site logo. For these features, the free SSL must be upgraded to a Positive or EV SSL Certificate.
Step by Step Guide for Enabling your Free SSL
If you have a website hosted and pointed to a Todhost hosting package, your SSL should be ready to use and can proceed to the next step to direct your customers to HTTPS. If your domain name is managed by another provider, you will need to ensure that an A record has been created for your domain that is associated with your Todhost package via your domain provider's dashboard. Otherwise, you will be unable to use the Free SSL.
The Free SSL does not automatically force HTTPS onto the domain and will need to be manually updated. This can be completed via updating the .htaccess to force HTTPS on every page.
Navigate to your website to test the SSL certificate. If you are redirected to the secure HTTPS:// version of your site, the SSL certificate is working properly. If you don't see the HTTPS:// prefix, please see the guide below.
Add the following code to your .htaccess file:
Scroll down to find RewriteEngine On and insert the following lines of code below it:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Further reading:
How to Install an SSL Certificate in cPanel
How to renew an SSL certificate
SSL Installation: Common Problems and Solutions
Upgrading to a Paid SSL
To upgrade your Free SSL to a Paid SSL (Positive or EV SSL) please see the steps below:
Log into your Billing Portal.
Select SSL certificate category added to.
Order your desired SSL Certificates.
After paying, you will be redirected to your SSL tool page. From here you can see when the SSL installation completes and easily renew your SSL when it is time for it to expire.
Opting-Out of the Free SSL
To opt-out of the Free SSL please contact us via ticketing system.
SSL Troubleshooting & Common Questions
When viewing HTTPS on my domain it says I don't have a certificate on my site.
In order for the Free SSL to work, you must have an active shared cPanel package with Todhost.
The domain must be pointed to your Todhost package via an A record.
What plan types get the Free SSL?
All Todhost Hosting packages are eligible for Free SSLs on all domains that are hosted within the hosting account and pointed by A record. This includes all cPanel hosting as well as Reseller Hosting.
Advanced hosting users that have a VPS or Dedicated may enable it for their servers by enabling in in the "Manage AutoSSL in WHM"
What do I have to do once I get the Free SSL?
Once the Free SSL is installed, you likely will still need to direct your visitors to https to ensure they are using the most secure path to access your site.
What The Google Chrome Update Will Mean For You
There’s an update from Google Chrome that may change the way your website shows up online. For those who’ve already added an SSL certificate to their site and made the upgrade to HTTPS, you’re in the clear. But if you haven’t made the switch, this is something you’ll want to pay attention to.
Starting in July 2018, Google’s Chrome browser alert users that a site isn’t secure if it doesn’t have an HTTPS connection. Since Chrome may very well be the most popular web browser out there, this alert is something you’ll want to take seriously.
However, if you’re a Todhost customer who doesn’t have a SSL yet, there is no need to worry about this change. Todhost customers without a SSL certificate now receive a free one to comply with Google Chrome’s new requirements. This free SSL applies to all plans.
Google has been taking security and HTTPS seriously for a while. When you think about it, it makes sense.
Google wants to provide its visitors with the most relevant, secure browsing experience possible. When users feel safe on the web they’re much more likely to come back and utilize the services that Google offers.
A better user experience equals a more satisfied user base. The same goes for your website.
Google has already been giving secure sites preference in the rankings since 2014. Therefore, sites that have a secure HTTPS connection, as opposed to the standard HTTP connection, should get a slight rankings boost.
This Chrome update is the next step in the charge of an HTTPS focused internet.
Further reading:
How to Install an SSL Certificate in cPanel
How to renew an SSL certificate
SSL Installation: Common Problems and Solutions
The Impact of the Google Chrome Update
Google has been rolling out this update for quite a while. You’ve probably noticed sites that have a secure “lock” icon in the upper left hand corner of the search bar.
To users, this shows that your site is secure and can be trusted to safely process information.
HTTPS can be incredibly valuable for your site as it creates a secure channel between the browser and the website.
A secure connection is a must-have for sites that process personal information like an eCommerce website. However, this lock icon hasn’t been very effective in encouraging non-eCommerce website owners to adopt the new HTTPS standard. The new Chrome update can be seen as a hard push towards forcing website owners to adopt HTTPS.
How Will This Warning Affect Your Site?
If your site doesn’t have an SSL certificate installed by the time the HTTPS update is released, your site will display as “not secure” when accessed by the Chrome browser:
You might not think this is a big deal. But, imagine you open up a brand new site from the search results and the first thing you see is a page that says, “This page is not secure.”
Chances are, you won’t stick around, or come back to the website. We’re not just talking about losing the trust of new visitors, but also compromising the trust of your existing visitors.
Fortunately now, there is a way you can avoid this scenario.
The only way to avoid this warning across your site is to install an SSL certificate. At Todhost we are helping prepare for these Google Chrome changes by providing all Todhost customers with a free SSL certificate!
This is a fully functional, digital certificate, that is recognized and trusted by 99.9% browsers and devices. By having this certificate, you will avoid a ‘not secure’ warnings when people visit your site.
Additionally, we have paid SSL options for customers looking for additional features from their SSL certificate.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the latest Google Chrome update and how it’ll affect your website and user experience moving forward.
Not a Todhost customer? You can sign up for a hosting plan on our website!
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
