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HTTPS Checker — Test If Your Website Is Secure

Updated June 2026·SecScanner Team

HTTPS encrypts all traffic between browsers and your server, protecting data confidentiality and integrity.

Why It Matters

Without HTTPS, all data including passwords, cookies, and personal information is transmitted in plain text. Attackers on the network can intercept and modify traffic. Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014 — sites without it are labeled 'Not Secure' in Chrome.

How We Check

We verify that your site is accessible over HTTPS with a valid certificate and proper configuration.

How to Fix

Obtain an SSL/TLS certificate (free from Let's Encrypt) and configure your server to serve all content over HTTPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HTTPS and how does it work?

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is HTTP with TLS encryption. When a browser connects to an HTTPS site, the server presents an SSL/TLS certificate, both sides agree on encryption keys via the TLS handshake, and all subsequent data is encrypted in transit. This protects passwords, form data, and cookies from eavesdropping or modification on the network.

How do I enable HTTPS on my website for free?

Use Let's Encrypt, a free automated Certificate Authority. With Certbot: run `sudo certbot --nginx` (or `--apache`) and it automatically obtains and installs a certificate, then schedules auto-renewal. Managed platforms (Cloudflare, Netlify, Vercel, GitHub Pages) offer one-click free HTTPS. Caddy web server enables HTTPS automatically by default.

Does HTTPS affect my website's Google ranking?

Yes. Google has used HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014. Sites without HTTPS are labeled 'Not Secure' in Chrome, which increases bounce rates — a negative ranking signal. Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP) are measured over HTTPS connections. Switching from HTTP to HTTPS is one of the clearest positive SEO signals available.

What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTP transmits data in plain text — anyone on the network (your ISP, public Wi-Fi users, network intermediaries) can read or modify it. HTTPS encrypts all traffic using TLS, guaranteeing confidentiality (no one can read the data), integrity (no one can modify it undetected), and authentication (the certificate confirms you're talking to the real server, not an impostor).

My site already has an SSL certificate — why is HTTPS still failing?

A certificate alone isn't enough. Common causes of HTTPS failures: (1) the certificate has expired — check the expiry date with our Certificate Expiry checker; (2) the certificate hostname doesn't match your domain; (3) intermediate certificates are missing from your server's certificate chain; (4) your server isn't configured to listen on port 443. Run SecScanner's full security scan to identify the specific issue.