HTTPS padlock crossed out in red: what it means and how to fix it in 23
An alert that the connection is not secure and that there may be a risk in continuing to browse is the HTTPS padlock crossed out in red that is displayed by the browser next to a website address. We will examine the potential reasons of the issue and the fixes you can employ in this article.
HTTPS padlock crossed out in red: what it means and how to fix it
What does the padlock in the browser address bar next to the URL mean?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security)-encrypted connection between the browser and the website is shown by a padlock next to the URL in the address bar of the browser.
By using encryption, it is made sure that no undesired third parties may access the data that is passed between the user’s browser and the website.
Depending on the browser and operating system being used, the padlock can have a variety of forms and colours, but the meaning remains the same. The padlock often denotes the use of HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) as opposed to the less secure HTTP protocol, which is used by the website.
Passwords, payment information, and other sensitive data that is exchanged between the browser and the website are all protected by the HTTPS protocol. The data exchanged between the browser and the website when utilising the HTTPS protocol is encrypted and secured against access from unauthorised parties.
The presence of a padlock next to the URL denotes the usage of SSL or TLS encryption and that the website is using a legitimate certificate from a certificate authority. This certificate assures the user that the website is legitimate and that any transferred data is encrypted for security.
Also, if you click on the padlock, you may see other security-related details about the website, like the amount of encryption employed and the name of the certificate authority that issued the SSL certificate.
What does it mean if the HTTPS padlock is crossed out in red?
When you visit a website that uses HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) to encrypt data communicated between the browser and the server, the red crossed-out padlock shows in the browser’s address bar. But, there is a flaw that does not totally ensure the connection is secure.
the red-crossed-out HTTPS padlock
Many factors, such as having SSL certificates that are expired or untrustworthy, can cause this.
Why is the red crossed out padlock a problem?
Problematic because it suggests that the connection to the website may be compromised is the crossed-out, red HTTPS padlock. As a result, users’ private information may be vulnerable to theft by criminals. A user’s username and password, for instance, could be stolen if they are entered on a website that has a red-crossed-out padlock.
How to fix red crossed out HTTPS padlock?
The red crossed-out padlock issue can be resolved in a number of ways. Let’s examine each one in turn.
Verify the SSL certificate’s authenticity.
An incorrect or expired SSL certificate is the most frequent reason why the HTTPS padlock is red and crossed out. Certificate authority issue SSL certificates, which have an expiration date. The browser will alert the user with a red crossed-out padlock if the SSL certificate for the website has expired.
The owner of the website must buy or renew the SSL certificate and put it on the web server to resolve this issue. As an alternative, it is feasible to use a free SSL certificate service like Let’s Encrypt, which has the benefit of being auto-renewable in addition to being free.
Verify the integrity of the SSL certificate
The validity of the SSL certificate may also be a factor in the red-crossed-out HTTPS padlock. This may occur if the website employs a self-signed (i.e., not issued by a certificate authority) SSL certificate or if the SSL certificate was issued by an unreliable authority.
The owner of the website must either pay for an SSL certificate from a reliable organisation or utilise a free SSL certificate provider like Let’s Encrypt to resolve this.
Check for unsafe content on the web page (so-called mixed content)
Insecure information on the website is another frequent reason for the HTTPS padlock to appear crossed out. This may occur if the website makes use of unencrypted or obtained from unsafe sources resources like photos, scripts, or CSS files (in other words the page is secured by HTTPS but some resources are embedded using HTTP).
The website owner must confirm that all the resources utilised on the web page are protected by SSL encryption and come from secure sources in order to resolve the mixed content issue.
Verify that the web server configuration works correctly
Finally, improper web server configuration may be the cause of the red crossed-out padlock. This may take place if the web server’s SSL encryption setup is incorrect or if the server configuration has been compromised.
The owner of the website should confirm that the web server configuration is proper and that the server supports SSL encryption in order to fix this problem.
It’s not just a security problem (but also an image one)
The red crossed-out padlock is not only a cautionary symbol to be taken into consideration when visiting a website; for the site owner, it is also a “trademark” that could harm the site’s reputation and visitors’ confidence in its services and contents.
In reality, these warnings can make people avoid the website or possibly stop using it altogether, which would cost the website owner visitors and money.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the HTTPS padlock with a red x through it indicates that your connection to the website is not entirely secure. If you are the owner of a website, it is crucial that you take website security seriously. You should ensure that the connection is secured by SSL encryption and that all the contents on the webpage are secure; otherwise, users may “escape” from a website that is deemed dangerous, which could result in a loss of traffic and a decline in turnover.