The last couple of months have been a technical challenge for me. I noticed lately that my blog posts have had a precipitous drop in readership. Looking into it, I discovered something interesting. Five years ago, when I first began posting in my blog, it was perfectly fine to have my site URL begin with http://www… But recently, I learned that several browsers actually warn users that the website they are attempting to reach is not secure and may be malicious. Wow! Time to make a change.
I had no idea if that was happening to any of my readers, but after checking, I noticed there was a caution sign with the words “Not Secure” in the address bar on my URL – a slightly less scary warning…but a warning nevertheless.
in the address bar of my website
Here comes the boring technical stuff:
The fix, as it turns out was to have an ‘SSL’, or Secure Socket Layer Certificate installed on my webserver. That would allow my site to begin with https://www… with the ‘s’ standing for secure.
Easy enough. I logged onto the site that hosts my blog, and to my shock, I learned that the SSL would add about $100 per year to my site fees. Yikes. I wondered if there were any options. To my delight, I discovered that there were several web hosting companies approved by WordPress that not only included the SSL as part of their hosting plan, but I could also get my domain name (finishingwellinlife.com) for free. All for about what I was currently paying. Well, sign me up.
I wanted to be sure that everything went smoothly, so I also paid for their migration team to transfer all my files from the old hosting site to the new one. It was supposed to take only a few days. Sadly, nothing went as smoothly or as quickly as promised.
Now, about a month later, and after almost a dozen phone calls, I finally received an email stating they believe my site is ready to go. Yea!
I am sharing this with you because I don’t think I was the only blogger without the SSL certificate. If I was, well, then we’re all good now. But, if you’re site doesn’t happen to have the secure certificate – yet, this may be a good time to talk to whoever hosts your site and find out what you will need to do to get one. Who would have thought that security would be an issue on my simple site? I have come to learn that nothing is simple when it comes to the internet. If you are not able to do that for yourself, there are people who can help you. Do not let your voice and stories be stifled. Others need to read and hear what you have to share.
On an unrelated note:
Find hope and help with AlzAuthors
I’d also like to take a moment and share a bit about an amazing organization, AlzAuthors. I am one of over 300 writers in the AlzAuthor’s community who have shared our stories of hope and help for others walking this uncertain path of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Whether you are a caregiver, family member or living with dementia, you’ll find the help you need from decades of caregiving within – memoirs, caregiver guides, novels, children’s books, and blogs – plus the encouraging real-life experiences behind these works.
If you are looking for a specific resource, start in our Find a Resource page where you can search for posts based on types of books or blogs.
From the AlzAuthors’ website
But wait, there’s more: Since the holiday season is fast approaching, you can help support AlzAuthors while shopping on Amazon with no cost to you through AmazonSmile.
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. You can choose from over one million organizations to support.
From the AmazonSmile page
You can help AlzAuthors help others while you do your holiday shopping.
Has your world been touched by dementia?
My book, “FinishingWell: Finding Joy in the Journey”, is a collection of stories and tips about doing life with my Mama. May it encourage and inspire you to find joy on your own, unique journey. Find our group on Facebook