What is what does it mean when a website is not secure?

When a website is marked as "not secure," it generally means that the connection between your browser and the website's server is not properly encrypted. This lack of encryption poses several risks:

  • Data Interception: Without encryption, the data you send to or receive from the website (like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information) can be intercepted by malicious actors. This is known as a man-in-the-middle%20attack.

  • Data Tampering: An attacker could potentially alter the data being transmitted, leading to you receiving incorrect or manipulated information.

  • Lack of Authentication: A secure connection typically involves verification of the website's identity. A "not secure" warning might indicate that the website's identity hasn't been properly validated, potentially leading you to a phishing%20site.

  • SEO Impact: Search engines like Google penalize websites that are not secure, so it could impact the website's search%20engine%20optimization.

Essentially, a "not secure" warning is a signal to be cautious about providing sensitive information to the website and to verify the website's authenticity before proceeding.