How To Stop “Secure And Nonsecure Items” Warning On Your Site?

When securing your website with a Trustico® SSL Certificate, you may occasionally encounter browser warnings about secure and nonsecure items. These mixed content warnings can damage visitor trust and undermine the security benefits of your SSL Certificate.

This guide explains how to identify and eliminate these warnings while maximizing the protection provided by your Trustico® SSL Certificate.

Understanding Mixed Content Warnings

Mixed content warnings occur when a secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) page includes elements loaded over unsecured Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connections. Even with a properly installed Trustico® SSL Certificate protecting your main domain, embedded resources like images, scripts, or iframes using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) can trigger these warnings.

Modern browsers actively block mixed content to protect users, displaying warning messages that can alarm visitors and reduce confidence in your website security. This undermines the trust-building benefits of your Trustico® SSL Certificate implementation.

Common unsecured elements that trigger mixed content warnings include images, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) files, JavaScript files, fonts, iframes, and media files loaded from Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) sources. Any resource not served over Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) can potentially generate these alerts.

Why Mixed Content Warnings Matter for SSL Certificate Security

When you invest in a Trustico® SSL Certificate to protect your website, mixed content warnings indicate security vulnerabilities that need addressing. While your primary Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) connection remains encrypted, unsecured Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) resources create opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks.

Malicious actors can potentially intercept and modify unencrypted Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) content, injecting malware or stealing sensitive data. This compromises the comprehensive security that Trustico® SSL Certificates are designed to provide.

Additionally, mixed content warnings damage visitor trust by suggesting your site is only partially secure. This can lead to abandoned shopping carts, reduced conversions, and lost business. These consequences negate the commercial benefits of SSL Certificate implementation.

Search engines also consider site security as a ranking factor. Mixed content warnings can negatively impact your search engine optimization efforts, even when you have a valid SSL Certificate installed.

How to Identify Mixed Content Issues

The first step in resolving mixed content warnings is identifying all unsecured resources. Modern browsers provide developer tools to help locate problematic elements.

Using Browser Developer Tools

Open your browser developer tools by pressing F12 and navigate to the console tab. Mixed content warnings will appear here with specific details about which resources are being loaded over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The console displays the exact Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of each problematic resource, making it easier to locate and fix issues in your code.

The Network tab in developer tools also shows all resources loaded by the page. Filter by protocol to quickly identify any Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests that should be converted to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).

Using Online SSL Certificate Checker Tools

Specialized SSL Certificate checking tools can scan your entire site for mixed content. These tools provide comprehensive reports of all unsecured elements across multiple pages, which is more efficient than checking each page manually through browser developer tools. Visit Our Trustico® SSL Certificate Tools 🔗

Reviewing Source Code

Manually inspect your page source code for any hardcoded Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) in image sources, script tags, stylesheet links, and other embedded resources. Search your codebase for "http://" to find references that need updating to "https://".

Solutions for Fixing Mixed Content Warnings

Once you have identified mixed content issues, several approaches can resolve them while maintaining the security of your Trustico® SSL Certificate implementation. The appropriate solution depends on your specific situation and technical requirements.

Update Resource Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

The most straightforward solution is updating all resource Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) to use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) instead of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). This ensures all content loads through secure connections protected by your Trustico® SSL Certificate.

Replace instances of "http://" with "https://" in your code. Look for image sources, script sources, stylesheet links, iframe sources, and other embedded content. Ensure the referenced domains have valid SSL Certificates installed before making these changes.

For WordPress sites, use search and replace tools to update Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) in your database. Check both theme files and content for hardcoded Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) references that need updating. Many search and replace plugins can help automate this process across your entire site.

Implement Protocol-Relative Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)

Protocol-relative Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) start with "//" and automatically match the protocol of the parent page. When loading resources from the same domain protected by your Trustico® SSL Certificate, this ensures secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) delivery.

Replace absolute Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) with protocol-relative versions. For example, change "http://example.com/image.jpg" to "//example.com/image.jpg". The browser will automatically use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) when loading these resources on secure pages.

This approach provides flexibility while maintaining security, though explicitly using Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) where possible provides maximum protection and clarity.

Host Resources Locally

Rather than loading resources from external domains, host them on your own server protected by your Trustico® SSL Certificate. This gives you complete control over secure delivery and eliminates dependency on external domains having valid SSL Certificates.

Download external images, scripts, and other assets to your server. Update references to use local copies served over Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). Ensure your local copies remain updated if using third-party resources that receive regular updates, and set up maintenance procedures to keep local assets current.

Content Security Policy (CSP) Implementation

Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to control which resources can load and enforce Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) usage. Content Security Policy (CSP) works alongside your Trustico® SSL Certificate to prevent mixed content by instructing browsers to block insecure resources automatically.

Add Content Security Policy (CSP) headers that specify allowed sources for different resource types. The upgrade-insecure-requests directive automatically upgrades Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests to Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), which can help during migration. The block-all-mixed-content directive prevents any mixed content from loading.

Configure your web server to send appropriate Content Security Policy (CSP) headers. Test thoroughly to ensure legitimate resources are not blocked while preventing insecure content from loading.

Choosing the Right SSL Certificate for Your Needs

While fixing mixed content warnings, ensure you have the optimal SSL Certificate for your requirements. Trustico® offers both Trustico® branded and Sectigo® branded SSL Certificates providing different validation levels and features.

For e-commerce websites and sites handling sensitive data, Organization Validation (OV) or Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates provide the highest levels of trust and verification. These SSL Certificates include verified organizational information that demonstrates legitimacy to visitors. Learn About Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificates 🔗

Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates offer cost-effective encryption for informational sites and blogs where organizational verification is not required. All Trustico® SSL Certificates include unlimited server licenses and reissuance rights. Explore Our Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates 🔗

Best Practices for Ongoing SSL Certificate Security

Beyond fixing mixed content warnings, follow these best practices to maintain strong security with your Trustico® SSL Certificate.

Regular Security Scans

Use SSL Certificate checking tools to monitor for new mixed content issues. Scan your site regularly as content changes, particularly after adding new pages, updating themes, or installing plugins. Content management system updates can sometimes introduce new mixed content issues that require attention.

Update SSL Certificate Configuration

Keep your SSL Certificate implementation current with the latest security protocols and cipher suites. Disable outdated protocols like Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 and Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.1 in favor of Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.2 and Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3. View Our SSL Certificate Installation Guides 🔗

Monitor SSL Certificate Status

Track SSL Certificate expiration dates and renewal requirements. Trustico® provides automated renewal reminders to prevent lapses in coverage, though it's good practice to set your own reminder.

An expired SSL Certificate causes browser warnings that are more damaging to visitor trust than mixed content warnings. Discover Our SSL Certificate Renewal Options 🔗

Resolving Mixed Content Is Your Responsibility

Mixed content warnings are website code issues that must be resolved by you, your web developer, or your hosting provider. Trustico® provides SSL Certificates but does not modify customer website code or server configurations. The solutions outlined in this guide require access to your website files, content management system, or server settings.

If you are unsure how to implement these fixes, contact your web developer or hosting company for assistance. Most hosting providers offer support for basic Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) migration issues, and web developers can update hardcoded Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers on your behalf.

For questions about SSL Certificate purchases, renewals, or installation guidance, Trustico® support is available to assist. View Our Contact Information 🔗