Security Issues | Blue Frog Docs

Security Issues

Comprehensive guides for diagnosing and fixing website security issues that expose users and damage trust

Security Issues

Website security issues expose your site and users to potential threats, trigger browser warnings, damage user trust, and can negatively impact search rankings. Proper security implementation protects both your business and your users.

Why Security Matters

User Trust and Safety

User Protection:

  • 90% of users won't visit sites marked "Not Secure"
  • Security protects user data from interception
  • Prevents phishing and malware attacks
  • Required for collecting any sensitive information

Trust and Credibility:

  • Browser warnings damage brand perception
  • Security badges increase conversion rates
  • Professional appearance requires security
  • Industry regulations often require HTTPS

Business Impact

SEO Rankings:

  • HTTPS is a confirmed Google ranking factor
  • Insecure sites rank lower in search results
  • Chrome marks HTTP sites as "Not Secure"
  • Users avoid non-HTTPS sites in search results

Conversion Rates:

  • "Not Secure" warnings reduce conversions by 85%+
  • Cart abandonment increases without HTTPS
  • Form submissions decline on insecure sites
  • Payment processing requires HTTPS

Legal Compliance:

  • PCI DSS requires HTTPS for payments
  • GDPR requires secure data transmission
  • Industry regulations mandate encryption
  • Liability for data breaches

Common Security Risks

Data Interception:

  • Unencrypted HTTP traffic readable by attackers
  • Passwords transmitted in plain text
  • Session cookies stolen (session hijacking)
  • Man-in-the-middle attacks

Malware and Hacking:

User Data Exposure:

  • Personal information leaked
  • Payment data stolen
  • Login credentials compromised
  • Privacy violations

Common Security Issues

SSL/TLS Issues

Missing HTTPS:

  • Site served over HTTP instead of HTTPS
  • No SSL certificate installed
  • Certificate expired or invalid
  • Users see "Not Secure" warning

Mixed Content:

  • HTTPS page loads HTTP resources
  • Images, scripts, or styles over HTTP
  • Partially encrypted connection
  • Browser warnings and blocked resources

Certificate Problems:

  • Expired SSL certificate
  • Wrong domain name on certificate
  • Untrusted certificate authority
  • Self-signed certificate (not trusted)

Configuration Issues

Weak Encryption:

  • Outdated TLS versions (TLS 1.0, 1.1)
  • Weak cipher suites
  • Insecure protocols enabled
  • Vulnerable to known attacks

Missing Security Headers:

  • No Content Security Policy
  • Missing X-Frame-Options
  • No HSTS header
  • Weak permissions policy

Insecure Cookies:

  • Cookies without Secure flag
  • Missing SameSite attribute
  • Session cookies over HTTP
  • Vulnerable to theft

Content Issues

Malware and Spam:

Outdated Software:

  • Old CMS versions with vulnerabilities
  • Unpatched plugins
  • Outdated themes
  • Known security exploits

Diagnostic Tools

Browser Tools

Google Chrome:

  • Address bar security icon (padlock)
  • Developer Tools → Security tab
  • Mixed content warnings in console
  • Certificate information

Security Headers Checker:

  • SecurityHeaders.com
  • Checks HTTP security headers
  • Grades security implementation
  • Provides recommendations

Online Testing Tools

SSL Labs SSL Test:

  • SSL Labs
  • Comprehensive SSL/TLS testing
  • Certificate validation
  • Protocol and cipher analysis
  • Security grade (A+ to F)

Why No Padlock:

  • Why No Padlock
  • Identifies mixed content
  • Shows insecure resources
  • Provides fix recommendations

Google Safe Browsing:

  • Transparency Report
  • Check for malware/phishing warnings
  • Review security status
  • Submit for review

Search Console Tools

Google Search Console:

  • Security Issues report
  • Manual actions for hacked content
  • Malware detection
  • Security warnings affecting site

Issue Guides

Mixed Content

Issue: HTTPS pages loading resources over HTTP Impact: Browser warnings, blocked resources, security vulnerabilities Quick Fix: Update all resource URLs to HTTPS or use protocol-relative URLs

Missing HTTPS

Issue: Website served over unencrypted HTTP connection Impact: "Not Secure" warnings, lower rankings, data vulnerability Quick Fix: Install SSL certificate and redirect HTTP to HTTPS

Security Best Practices

SSL/TLS Implementation

Certificate Management:

  • Use trusted certificate authority
  • Enable auto-renewal (Let's Encrypt)
  • Cover all subdomains
  • Monitor expiration dates

Configuration:

  • Use TLS 1.2 or higher only
  • Strong cipher suites
  • Enable HSTS
  • Disable insecure protocols

Monitoring:

  • Monthly SSL tests (SSL Labs)
  • Certificate expiration alerts
  • Mixed content monitoring
  • Security header validation

Content Security

HTTPS Everywhere:

  • All pages served over HTTPS
  • All resources loaded via HTTPS
  • HTTP redirects to HTTPS (301)
  • Canonical URLs use HTTPS

Security Headers:

# Nginx configuration
add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline' 'unsafe-eval'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline';";
add_header X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN";
add_header X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff";
add_header Referrer-Policy "strict-origin-when-cross-origin";
add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload";

Regular Updates:

  • Keep CMS updated
  • Update plugins/themes
  • Patch security vulnerabilities
  • Monitor security advisories

Data Protection

Secure Cookies:

// Set secure cookie attributes
document.cookie = "session=abc123; Secure; HttpOnly; SameSite=Strict";

Form Security:

  • HTTPS for all forms
  • CSRF protection
  • Input validation
  • Rate limiting

Database Security:

  • Parameterized queries (prevent SQL injection)
  • Strong passwords
  • Restricted access
  • Regular backups

Security Audit Checklist

Quick Security Health Check

SSL/TLS:

  • Valid SSL certificate installed
  • Certificate not expired
  • All pages served over HTTPS
  • HTTP redirects to HTTPS (301)
  • No mixed content warnings
  • TLS 1.2+ enabled only
  • HSTS header enabled

Security Headers:

  • Content-Security-Policy set
  • X-Frame-Options configured
  • X-Content-Type-Options set
  • Referrer-Policy configured
  • Permissions-Policy set

Content Security:

  • No Google Safe Browsing warnings
  • No malware detected
  • CMS up to date
  • Plugins/themes updated
  • No known vulnerabilities

Data Protection:

  • Cookies have Secure flag
  • Forms use HTTPS
  • CSRF protection enabled
  • Input validation implemented
  • Passwords hashed properly

Monitoring:

  • SSL certificate expiration monitored
  • Security headers tested monthly
  • Google Search Console checked weekly
  • Backup system in place
  • Security logs reviewed

Security Remediation Strategy

Priority Levels

Critical (Fix Immediately):

  1. Google Safe Browsing warnings (malware/phishing)
  2. Expired SSL certificate
  3. No HTTPS (HTTP only)
  4. Known security vulnerabilities
  5. Data breach or compromise

High Priority:

  1. Mixed content issues
  2. Missing security headers
  3. Weak TLS configuration
  4. Insecure cookies
  5. Outdated CMS/plugins

Medium Priority:

  1. Missing HSTS preload
  2. Suboptimal CSP policy
  3. Unnecessary services exposed
  4. Weak password policies
  5. Missing rate limiting

Lower Priority:

  1. Enhanced security headers
  2. Certificate optimization
  3. Additional security hardening
  4. Advanced monitoring setup
  5. Security documentation

Implementation Process

  1. Immediate Threats:

    • Address malware/phishing warnings
    • Fix expired certificates
    • Enable HTTPS if missing
    • Patch critical vulnerabilities
    • Verify no active breach

  2. Core Security:

    • Fix mixed content
    • Configure security headers
    • Update TLS settings
    • Secure cookies properly
    • Enable HSTS

  3. Ongoing Maintenance:

    • Regular software updates
    • Monthly security testing
    • Monitor Search Console
    • Review security logs
    • Update documentation

  4. Advanced Hardening:

    • Implement WAF
    • Enhanced monitoring
    • Penetration testing
    • Security training
    • Incident response plan

Browser Security Indicators

Chrome Security Indicators

Secure (Padlock):

  • Valid HTTPS connection
  • Trusted certificate
  • No mixed content
  • Modern TLS protocol

Not Secure:

  • HTTP connection
  • No encryption
  • Data can be intercepted
  • Users warned

Dangerous (Red):

  • Malware detected
  • Phishing site
  • Deceptive content
  • Users strongly warned

Compliance Requirements

PCI DSS (Payment Cards)

  • HTTPS required for all payment pages
  • TLS 1.2 or higher
  • Strong encryption
  • Regular security testing

GDPR (EU Privacy)

  • Secure data transmission
  • Encryption at rest and in transit
  • Data breach notification
  • Privacy by design

HIPAA (Healthcare, US)

  • Encrypted connections
  • Secure data storage
  • Access controls
  • Audit trails

Additional Resources

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