Your Connection is Not Private. How to Tell if a Website is Safe

Summary: This 3-minute article explains what it means when you receive a “Your Connection is Not Private” warning message. Understand the importance of security certificates and how to make sure a website is safe. Network security, computer repairs and maintenance are more complex than ever. Contac the IT experts, GEEKAID Computer and Network Support at https://www.geek-aid.com/ for remote and onsite analyses, repairs and maintenance.

What Does a “Your Connection is Not Private” Warning Mean?

Everyone who has surfed the internet has received the warning message, “Your Connection is Not Private .” The warning means that you have been blocked from a website. “Blocked” means that the connection between the user device and the website’s host server is not encrypted as your device expected it to be. If the data exchange is not encrypted and you proceed anyway, cybercriminals will be able to see whatever interaction you have with the website in question.

Safe Web Browsing and SSL Certificates

The warning message indicates that there is an issue with a website’s SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate. It is a verification protocol for a successful encrypted connection between a web browser and a web server. If the certificate is missing, expired, or never issued from a legitimate authority, the user will not be afforded a secure HTTPS connection.

In today’s world of cyberattacks, an SSL certificate is the IT equivalent of being asked by a business to show a COVID-19 vaccination card for entrance or a bartender asking for a photo ID to prove that someone is old enough to have an alcoholic beverage. Bartenders will not take someone’s word for it and SSL Certificates are no different. If something is not right, the user is denied service.

Depending on the browser, there are slight differences in the message's wording. However, they all mean the same thing:

Safari uses the error message “Not Secure” or “Website Not Secure.”
Google Chrome uses “Your connection is not private” and “Attackers might be trying to steal your information from this website.”
For Firefox, the warning states, “Your connection is not secure.”
Microsoft Edge also uses, “Your connection is not secure.”

Sometimes the warning message will allow the user to go to the website anyway and bypass the warning. However, ignoring an SSL certificate warning is risky. Without a secure HTTPS, the user is exposed to a wide array of cyberattacks. Whereas a proper SSL certificate for a website will ensure the sending and receiving of data is encrypted. What is an SSL certificate? What is HTTPS?

In essence, an SSL certificate verifies the ownership and security of a website. Other information pertinent to a given website is also available such as:

The Exact Domain Name for the website associated with the certificate
The Entity That Owns the Domain
The Expiration Date of the certificate
Issuing Authority That Provides the Certificate

The good news is that if a hacker is trying to intercept data from a website If the data is encrypted with TLS/SSL, the data will appear as an unintelligible, garbled text. Encryption is the protective “wrapper” for data between devices and host servers.

Typical Reasons for an SSL Certificate Error Message

Here are a few typical SSL Certificate Issues:

The Certificate is Invalid or Missing
The Certificate Lists the Wrong Website as its Domain
The Certificate is Expired
There is No Certificate
A Mismatched URL
A Third-Party Certification Authority Did Not Issue the Certificate
- Or the browser doesn’t recognize the authority

In our current remote-access work environment, safe web browsing is essential for SMBs' growth and is often beyond the knowledge of small to midsized business owners and should be addressed by IT Experts.

SMBs Need Professional IT Services

Time is always money and IT professionals can help you make informed and cost-conscious decisions about computer repairs and how best to protect and maintain the integrity of your network. They can also ensure your system has strong network security from the start. In addition, when your system goes down, they can help you get back up and running fast. In addition, continuing remote and onsite IT support will help maintain your system and keep it running as safely and efficiently as possible.

GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized and secure computer network installation and security, IT consulting services, repairs, integration, upgrades, and maintenance for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®'s team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients onsite and remotely for Macs, PCs and all your connected devices, including new ones that are part of the ever-expanding IoT. More importantly, when your business network goes down, they will perform onsite computer repairs if required. And the GEEK-AID^® team doesn't clock out at five o'clock on Friday. They are available to you 24/7, remotely or in person, to ensure your computers, network and data stay up-to-date, healthy and secure. As your business grows, expands its network, and adds more devices such as smart controls, smart devices, wireless access, and remote access, your network's cybercrime vulnerability and need for cyber security will grow. IT support is not just for emergencies. In addition to integrating your system operations and maintaining hardware, software and security, employee training must also be ongoing. New users and new devices will require additional training to use those devices efficiently. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, cyber security and network protection are inter-related concerns. They must be addressed consistently and proactively to best support the seamless operation of your company, minimizing costly and time-consuming IT-related mistakes.

Call (877) GEEK-AID (877-433-5243) to discuss how they can design, integrate, secure, maintain and repair your SMB computer network and protect your hard-earned business data.