![mac ethernet connection not private mac ethernet connection not private](https://www.iplocation.net/assets/images/articles/find-ip/network-sharing-center.png)
Although HTTPS was released in 1995, it wasn’t widely used until the 2010s. In the earlier days of the internet, you might recall seeing just HTTP in the URL for most websites.
![mac ethernet connection not private mac ethernet connection not private](https://sites.google.com/site/mrstevensonstechclassroom/home/strand-3-it-systems/3-3-networks/communicating-on-a-network/private-ip-addressing.png)
It’s also possible to obtain SSL certification from unknown organizations, but if your browser doesn’t identify the source as trustworthy, this error will also appear. If the SSL certificate is expired or works for only a website’s domain but not its subdomains, the “Your Connection is Not Private” error will appear. An SSL certificate is particularly important for websites that sell goods and services, as this certification helps protect users’ payment information. SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, and this is a type of encryption that shields user data from hackers. And as a business, you don’t want your site visitors to see this error - you’ll want to fix it as soon as possible to restore your website’s security and let visitors know they’re safe on your website. As a user, your data could be compromised if you move forward. This likely means there’s an issue with the website’s SSL certificate. But if the certificate isn’t validated by your browser for any reason, you’ll be greeted with the ominous “Your Connection is Not Private” error message like the one pictured below. The host server then sends the website’s certifications to prove the site is safe and secure. To access a website, your browser sends a request to the host server of that website.
![mac ethernet connection not private mac ethernet connection not private](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/steam-in-home-streaming-tweak-settings.png)
Both of these things mean the website is secure. Or, you may see HTTPS at the beginning of the URL. When you visit a website, you may notice there’s often a small lock symbol in the URL bar.