How to Check If a Website Has SSL Installed

Why Checking SSL Installation is Important

An SSL certificate is essential for securing data transmission, improving SEO rankings, and gaining user trust. Whether you run a website or visit one, ensuring that SSL is installed is crucial to protect sensitive information and prevent cyber threats. Here’s how you can check if a website has SSL installed and verify its security.

1. Look for HTTPS in the URL

The simplest way to check SSL certificate installation is by looking at the website URL. If it starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP, the site has an SSL certificate installed. The “S” in HTTPS stands for Secure, indicating encryption between the server and the browser.

2. Check for the Padlock Icon in the Browser

Most browsers display a padlock icon in the address bar for secure websites.

• Google Chrome: A closed padlock next to the URL means the site is encrypted. Clicking on it provides details about the SSL certificate.
• Mozilla Firefox: Displays a lock symbol in the address bar. Clicking on it reveals the certificate details.
• Microsoft Edge & Safari: Both browsers use a similar padlock icon to indicate website security.

If the padlock is missing or an error message appears, the SSL certificate may be expired, misconfigured, or absent.

3. Use an SSL Checker Tool

To verify SSL installation thoroughly, use an SSL checker tool like:

• SSL Checker by SSL Labs (Qualys SSL Labs)
• Why No Padlock? (whynopadlock.com)
• Google Chrome DevTools (Press F12 → Security tab)

These tools provide detailed insights, including certificate authority, encryption strength, and expiration date.

4. How to Check Website Security Using Browser Settings

Browsers store SSL details, which can be accessed in a few steps:

1. Open the website in Google Chrome.
2. Click on the padlock icon in the address bar.
3. Select “Certificate (Valid)” to view the SSL certificate details.
4. Look for the issuing Certificate Authority (CA) and expiration date.

If the SSL certificate is invalid, a “Not Secure” warning appears, indicating potential security risks.

5. Checking SSL Certificate Expiration

Expired SSL certificates can lead to security vulnerabilities and SEO penalties. To check SSL expiration:

• Use an SSL checker tool to see the validity period.
• Manually inspect it by clicking the padlock icon in the browser.
• Run OpenSSL commands (for advanced users):

  openssl s_client -connect domain.com:443 | openssl x509 -noout -dates
  

  This command displays the SSL expiration date and validity.

6. Verify SSL Certificate Validation Type

SSL certificates come in three types:

• Domain Validation (DV): Basic encryption with domain verification.
• Organization Validation (OV): Verifies the organization’s identity.
• Extended Validation (EV): Provides the highest trust level with business validation.

To check the certificate type:

1. Click on the padlock icon in the browser.
2. View the certificate details.
3. Check if it’s DV, OV, or EV. EV certificates were previously indicated with a green address bar, but modern browsers no longer highlight them distinctly.

7. Using Online Website Security Checkers

If you’re unsure about a website’s security, use a website security checker to analyze SSL configuration and vulnerabilities:

• Sucuri SiteCheck (sitecheck.sucuri.net)
• SSL Labs SSL Test (ssllabs.com/ssltest)
• Google Safe Browsing (transparencyreport.google.com)

These tools provide detailed reports on SSL security, malware presence, and potential threats.

8. Check if a Site Uses Self-Signed SSL Certificates

Self-signed certificates are issued by the website owner instead of a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Browsers often flag them as “Not Secure” because they lack proper validation.

• Click the padlock icon in the browser.
• Check the certificate issuer.
• If it’s not a trusted CA (e.g., Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, Sectigo), the certificate may be self-signed.

Self-signed certificates are not recommended for public websites as they can lead to trust issues and security warnings.

Conclusion

Checking if a website has SSL installed is crucial for data protection, SEO ranking, and user trust. Whether using an SSL checker tool, looking for HTTPS, or verifying through browser settings, these methods ensure the website is secure. Regularly monitoring SSL expiration and validation type helps maintain security and avoid warnings that can impact website credibility.

If a site lacks SSL, upgrading to a trusted certificate is highly recommended to enhance security and maintain user confidence.