How to Improve WordPress Site Security with SSL and HTTPS

Now, since we are complete daters at the end of October 2023, here’s what it is.

Website security has become almost mandatory in today’s world. Whether your website is a blog, business site, or even an online shopping cart, the importance of securing your site for data and user purposes cannot be overstated. Implementing SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and enabling HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is one of the best ways to secure WordPress websites. How to Improve WordPress Site Security with SSL and HTTPS .In this article, we are going to take you through what SSL and HTTPS are, how they work, and why they are very important for the security of your WordPress site. We will also provide you with direction in effectively implementing these protocols.

What is SSL?

The Secure Sockets Layer-SSL is a protocol that ensures a secured channel of communication between a web server and a browser. On installation of SSL in a website, the data transfer between the server and the browser is encrypted, making it almost impossible for outside intruders (hackers, cybercriminals, and so on) to intercept or read this data.

SSL is now the most widely accepted security standard for a website, especially in the case of sensitive user information, such passwords, credit card details, and various other personal information. The latest technology that has now taken over the SSL is termed TLS (Transport Layer Security); however, most people still refer to the encryption standard in terms of SSL.

What is HTTPS?

HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of the standard HTTP protocol. While HTTP serves as a means for transferring data between your browser and the web server, all data exchanged through HTTPS is encrypted with SSL/TLS. Visiting any HTTPS-enabled site reflects a padlock symbol in the address bar of your browser, which indicates that connection is secure.

HTTPS is the result of using HTTP with SSL/TLS, meaning – that is that it is not just for all the operations of data over standard http that your website’s information will be secured under SSL/TLS encryption.

Why is SSL and HTTPS Important for WordPress Site Security?

1. Encryption of Sensitive Data

Sensitive data-an online login credentials for, payment information, or particular information about an individual-SSL and HTTPS is required. How to Improve WordPress Site Security with SSL and HTTPS .It should encrypt data to ensure that all information being sent across the browser of an individual and the server is not scanned by a hacker.

2. Google’s Ranking Factor

Google’s algorithm has long included HTTPS as a ranking signal. HTTPS websites gain preference over HTTP ones. Hence, you can improve your Search Engine Optimization and boost the chances of being found by your customers because of switching into HTTPS.

3. Browser Warnings

Websites, which are not on HTTPS, are marked as “Not Secure” by modern web browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. This can terrify users and lead them to exit your site.

4. Data Integrity

Without it, your website is tampered with by intruders. The third-party attackers could inject malicious codes into your site while transferring data. However, with HTTPS, the integrity of the data being sent and received is ensured, protecting your site from man-in-the-middle attacks.

5. Building Trust and Credibility

Seeing your site secured for SSL and HTTPS will get the users to believe your brand. Trust is really really important, especially when running an e-commerce store or any other site that requires users to enter personal information.

6. Compliance with Regulations

In case you collect sensitive customer information, such as credit card details, then you may need to comply with standards like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). HTTPS encryption is one of the major compliance areas for such regulations and, hence, is really important for e-commerce sites. If your WordPress site contains any sensitive information,

Steps to Implement SSL and HTTPS on Your WordPress Website

Now that we understand the importance of SSL and HTTPS, let’s walk through the steps to do it on a WordPress site. How to Improve WordPress Site Security with SSL and HTTPS .It is easier than you think, and there will soon be the site’s advantages in terms of more security.

Step 1: Buy SSL Certificate

Before you can implement SSL on your site through WordPress, the first prerequisite would be to procure an SSL certificate. SSL Certificates get granted from trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), such as Comodo, Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, and GlobalSign.

There are different types of SSL Certificates:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates – The first amendment at the very basic level of SSL. They recognize that the domain has ownership but do not prove the identity of the organization behind the site.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates – These authenticate the identity of the organization, which offers a much higher trust level.
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates – The most validated high-level SSL certificate that gives extensive verification and shows its name in the browser’s address bar.

While paid certificates guarantee more validation and trust, free SSL certificates provided by Let’s Encrypt are suitable for most websites.

Step 2: Install the SSL Certificate on Your Web Server

Now that you’ve purchased your SSL certificate (or received an absolutely free one from Let-s Encrypt), the next step is to get it installed on your web hosting server. The vast majority of web hosts in todays market which include SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine provide their clients with simple SSL integration and automatic installations. However there are some web hosts, who would require you to manually install the SSL certificate.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to your web hosting account.
2. Access the SSL/TLS feature. Most host offer one-click SSL installation option.
3. Follow the steps to install the SSL certificate from your certificate authority.

In the case of a managed WordPress Host, the SSL certificate is often installed either automatically or with just a single click, but if that is not the case, you would need to consult your hosting company to rectify that.

Step 3: Update WordPress Settings to Enable HTTPS

When the SSL certificate is installed, it is time to change the WordPress website configuration settings from http to https. It is done in the following manner:

1. Log into your WordPress Admin dashboard.
2. Go to Settings > General.
3. In the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields, update the URL from http:// to https://.
4. Click Save Changes.

All pages and resources are going to load from HTTPS rather than HTTP and this tells WordPress.

Step 4: Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

Redirect users who visit your website with HTTP to the secure HTTPS version by configuring a 301 redirect. You have to write a few lines of code in your .htaccess file or do that using a plugin.

Manually add the redirect:

1. Access your website’s root directory via FTP or through your web hosting file manager.
2. Find the file .htaccess and edit it (have a backup before editing)
3. Add the following code into the beginning of the file:

bash

Copy code

RewriteEngine On

RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off

RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

This code tells that all unsecure pages should redirect to HTTPS.

Step 5: Update Internal Links and Mixed Content

Once you enable SSL, you must check the site for mixed contents or resources that load partly over HTTP instead of HTTPS (such as media, scripts, or style sheets). This will make your site unsafe; some resource loading may fail.

You can also use plugins to change according to the level of your comfort. One such plugin is Better Search Replace which automatically replaces internal links with HTTPS using Velvet Blues Update URLs. Add your theme files and any third-party scripts to the list of links with HTTPS.

Step 6: Testing your HTTPS Configuration

After completing all of the above, you must now check whether your SSL certificate is working correctly. You can check this by visiting your site and looking for the padlock symbol in the address bar of your browser.

Step 7: Update Google Search Console and Analytics

Update to the HTTPS version of all the URLs in Google Search Console and Google Analytics, if you are using them:

1. Create a new property in Google Search Console for the HTTPS version of your website.
2. Change all the property settings in Google Analytics to get their settings changed for the new HTTPS URL.

Thus, your data of site shall now be accurately tracked, as well as indexed by search engines.

Conclusion

With regard to building a secured WordPress site, implementing SSL and HTTPS is an extremely vital aspect. It protects users’ data from threats, increases trust in the site, enhances the site’s SEO value, and becomes compliant with the standards.

Investing in SSL and HTTPS no longer has the option of being an elective activity; it is now compulsory. If your site is not yet secured, now is the prime time to do it.

You can modify and expand it according to your various needs!