WordPress HTTPS (SSL) Plugin
This article will direct you to resources for using and managing HTTPS connections in WordPress using plugins.
What are SSL and HTTPS?
An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is required to establish a secure connection, using HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) to encrypt communications between the server and the visitor's computer. A general guide to SSL connections for HostGator customers is here:
SSL certificates can be purchased from HostGator.
How Important is SSL for WordPress?
A basic WordPress installation was not designed with security in mind, and information sent from a post or page to your server is essentially readable by anyone. The more sensitive the information on your site, the more you should consider implementing HTTPS.
How to Implement SSL Using Plugins
WordPress Really Simple SSL Plugin
One of the easiest ways to make sure your WordPress website is using SSL is by using a plugin. In this video, we're going to show you how to accomplish this with the Really Simple SSL plugin.
A good general guide to using HTTPS with WordPress is here:
More advanced users can use the following PHP function to force a secure connection for all content:
WordPress SSL Insecure Content Fixer Plugin
The easiest method for WordPress users to enable and manage SSL is through a plugin. There are multiple solutions available for specific purposes (forcing HTTPS for logins, for instance) but one of the more popular general options is the SSL Insecure Content Fixer plugin. This allows you to modify and customize the HTTPS connections on your WordPress site, including encrypting individual pages and posts.
Instructions for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting the WordPress HTTPS (SSL) plugin are in the guide below: