In today’s world, where online security is as essential as a lock on your front door, the HSTS protocol works quietly yet effectively. Every day, millions of people open websites, enter passwords, make purchases, or conduct online banking — often unaware that a hacker could intercept their connection. While an SSL certificate encrypts communication, HSTS ensures that users never connect to a site without HTTPS. It’s as if the browser receives a strict order: “Use HTTPS only — no exceptions.”
Many owners of small websites — blogs, portfolios, corporate pages, or informational resources — still believe that an SSL certificate is necessary only for sites that process online payments or collect users’ confidential data. However, this is a common misconception. Today, encrypted connections are not just a technical feature of large platforms but a universal standard that determines trust, security, and even visibility in search engines. Ignoring this factor means risking your reputation, even if your site seems “simple.”