Having an SSL these days is no longer optional: it’s mandatory. Both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have began warning website visitors if they are going to enter passwords or credit card numbers on pages that aren’t secure. This comes as a measure to help prevent an uptick in recent security breaches, trying to end phishing, and raising an awareness for data security.

As of now, Firefox warns users before they enter a password or credit card on a page that isn’t delivered via HTTPS. This warning appears when the user puts their cursor into the field.

Starting in October 2017, Google Chrome is going to be upgrading their security in a similar fashion to what Firefox has. Currently, on a page that has a password or credit card field, users can see a “Not Secure” warning in the address bar.

SSLs to keep you secure

NodeSpace offers free SSL certificates powered by Let’s Encrypt on all shared hosting accounts.

Although all SSL certificates use similar methods to protect and validate your data, the level of trust and assertion they provide varies. Standard SSL (Domain Validated) Certificates are the easiest and most common type of SSL certificate. OV and EV Certificates also authenticate the identity of the company or organization that holds the certificate providing more trust to end users.

EV Certificates offer the highest level of validation and trust, and will show the name of the company or organization in green in the address bar. This is an immediate, visual way that viewers can know that extra steps were taken to confirm the site they’re visiting – which is why most large companies and organizations choose EV certificates.

SSL certificates start at $15.67/year.