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Meghna Meghwani for ServerAvatar

Posted on • Originally published at serveravatar.com

Website Not Secure Warning? Here’s How to Fix It

Have you ever opened a website and noticed a “Website Not Secure” warning in the browser bar? It can feel alarming, confusing, and even a little scary. You might wonder: Is my data at risk? Did something break? Why is this happening now?

The good news is this problem is common, well-understood, and fixable, even if you are not a technical expert. In this guide, we will break everything down without complexity. Just clear steps to help you understand why the “Not Secure” warning appears and how to remove it for good.

What Does Website Not Secure Mean

When a browser marks a site as Not Secure, it means the connection between the visitor and the website is not encrypted. Any data entered on the site, such as contact forms or login details, can be exposed.

Browsers highlight this to protect users. It is simply a signal saying, “This connection is not fully safe yet.”

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Why Browsers Show Not Secure Warnings

Modern browsers are designed with safety as a top priority. If a website does not meet basic security standards, the browser shows a warning.

This usually happens when:

  • The site does not use HTTPS: The website sends data without encryption, making information easier to expose.
  • The SSL certificate is missing or expired: Browsers cannot verify the website’s security when the certificate is invalid.
  • Some parts of the site are still loading insecure content: Secure pages that load HTTP resources trigger browser safety alerts.

Browsers want users to feel confident, and these warnings act like caution signs.

Modern browsers are designed with safety as a top priority. If a website does not meet basic security standards, the browser shows a warning.

This usually happens when:

  • The site does not use HTTPS: The website sends data without encryption, making information easier to expose.
  • The SSL certificate is missing or expired: Browsers cannot verify the website’s security when the certificate is invalid.
  • Some parts of the site are still loading insecure content: Secure pages that load HTTP resources trigger browser safety alerts.

Browsers want users to feel confident, and these warnings act like caution signs.

How This Warning Affects Visitors

Let’s be honest. When people see a Not Secure message, most of them hesitate. Some leave immediately. Others stop filling forms or making purchases.

This warning can:

  • Reduce trust: Visitors may feel unsure about sharing any information on the site.
  • Increase bounce rates: Many users leave immediately after seeing a security warning.
  • Hurt conversions: Forms, sign-ups, and purchases often remain incomplete due to fear.
  • Impact search engine rankings: Search engines favor secure websites over insecure ones.

In simple words, security warnings scare people away, even if your site is safe in other ways.

Understanding HTTP vs HTTPS

  • HTTP is the older way websites communicate.
  • HTTPS is the secure version.

The extra ‘S’ stands for Secure. HTTPS encrypts data so that it cannot be read by outsiders. It is like sealing information inside a locked envelope instead of sending it openly.

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Today, HTTPS is no longer optional. It is a basic requirement.

What Is an SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate is what enables HTTPS. It verifies your website’s identity and encrypts data.

Once installed:

  • Your site shows a lock icon: The lock symbol reassures visitors that the connection is secure.
  • Data stays private: Information exchanged on the website is encrypted and protected.
  • Browsers stop showing warnings: Proper SSL setup removes “Not Secure” messages completely.

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SSL certificates come in free and paid options, and both can fix the Not Secure issue when set up correctly.

Common Reasons for Not Secure Warning

Here are the most common causes:

  • No SSL certificate installed: The website lacks basic encryption for visitor data.
  • Expired SSL certificate: An outdated certificate causes browsers to flag the site as unsafe.
  • Incorrect SSL configuration: Improper setup prevents the certificate from working correctly.
  • Mixed content (HTTP and HTTPS together): Secure pages loading insecure elements trigger browser warnings.

Even a small misstep can trigger the warning, but each issue has a clear solution.

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