Bing now warns users from visiting sites with expired SSL certificate

With cyber-attacks and online fraud on the rise, search engines are taking new measures to ensure that their users are as safe as possible. One such measure is warning users against insecure sites, which display a “Warning: Security Risk Ahead” message page. Bing, in particular, goes a step further by warning users about sites with expired SSL certificates.

The Problem with Expired SSL Certificates

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are crucial in ensuring that a website is secure and trustworthy. They encrypt data sent between the website and the user, making it harder for hackers to steal sensitive information.

However, SSL certificates have an expiration date, and if a website fails to renew it, the site is flagged as insecure. This is where search engines like Bing come in.

Bing’s Response to Expired SSL Certificates

Unlike Google Chrome and Firefox, which show a “Not Secure” warning on non-secure websites (without HTTPS), Bing takes it a step further by warning users about a site’s security certificate. If a website’s SSL certificate has expired, Bing will display a warning to the user, indicating that the site’s security may have been compromised.

This warning can be detrimental to a website’s organic traffic, even if there is no real security threat to the users or their data. Visitors may be redirected to a warning page instead of the homepage, which can discourage potential leads from visiting the site.

The Importance of Renewing Your SSL Certificate

If you own a website, it’s crucial to renew your SSL certificate promptly to avoid losing potential leads. Renewing your SSL certificate ensures that your website remains secure and trustworthy, which can boost your website’s organic traffic.

In conclusion, search engines like Bing are taking measures to ensure that their users are as safe as possible online. As website owners, it’s important to keep track of when your site’s security certificate is about to expire and renew it promptly to avoid any potential harm to your website’s organic traffic.

How This Can Affect Your Business

Even if there is no real security threat to the users or their data, the fact that the search engines redirect the users to a warning page instead of the homepage can have a huge impact on your website’s organic traffic. Hence, it is important that you keep a track on when your site’s security certificate is about to expire and renew it promptly to ensure that potential leads are not discouraged from visiting your website.

FAQs

Q: What is an SSL certificate? A: An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that ensures that a website is secure and trustworthy. It encrypts data sent between the website and the user, making it harder for hackers to steal sensitive information.

Q: What happens if a website’s SSL certificate expires? A: If a website’s SSL certificate expires, the site is flagged as insecure, and users may be redirected to a warning page instead of the homepage.

Q: Why is it important to renew your SSL certificate? A: Renewing your SSL certificate ensures that your website remains secure and trustworthy, which can boost your website’s organic traffic.

Q: How can I renew my SSL certificate? A: Contact your SSL certificate provider to renew your certificate.

Q: What other measures can I take to ensure my website’s security? A: Other measures you can take to ensure your website’s security include using strong passwords, keeping your website updated with the latest security patches, and using a secure web hosting provider.