Earlier this week Google started issuing their final notices about the need to upgrade to the Secure Socket Layer HTTPS protocol, telling webmasters if they don’t secure their websites by the end of September pages in their sites will be prefaced with a security warning in the Chrome browser. The Chrome browser, which is made by Google, is used by 44.47% of Canadian web users. Naturally, most webmasters and site owners want to avoid such a warning given the chilling effect it would have on web traffic.
Wanting to avoid a problem and knowing what to do about it are two different things. This post is meant to explain the basics of HTTPS, what it means, why Google is forcing the update, and the steps a website owner can take to comply. If you already understand the process, stick around for the word play. If you don’t, this post should make the explanation your IT person will offer somewhat easier to understand. Either way, please do not use this post as a how-to guide as it most certainly is not.
The order itself is rather cryptic unless you’re already conversant in geek-speak.
To the owner of : https://websitename.com,
Starting October 2017, Chrome (version 62) will show a “NOT SECURE” warning when users enter text in a form on an HTTP page, and for all HTTP pages in Incognito mode.
The following URLs on your site include text input fields (such as <input type=”text”> or <input type=”email”> that will trigger the new Chrome warning. Review these examples to see where these warnings will appear, so that you can take action to help protect users’ data. This list is not exhaustive
https://www.websitename.com/
The new warning is part of a long term plan to mark all pages served over HTTP as “not secure”.
Here’s how to fix this problem:
Migrate to HTTPS
To prevent the “Not Secure” notifications from appearing when Chrome users visit your site, only collect user input data on pages using HTTPS.
This warning comes in three parts. The first is the threat which tells us we have until October 2017 to successfully migrate to HTTPS or Google’s Chrome browser is going to display a “Not Secure” notice. This notice will be displayed on pages that require or prompt site visitors to enter information into a form. The notice doesn’t say when in October so prudence dictates we assume “Not Secure” warnings will begin on October 1st.
The second part of the warning is a description of content that will trigger the Chrome “Not Secure” warning found on your website. In this case it is a series of contact forms the business uses to better communicate with potential clients. Google politely points out these forms are indicated by lines in the source-code that include <input type=“text”> or <input type=“email”>. It then lists where all pages that carry the trigger code might be found, in this case throughout the entire domain.
The third part is the solution, which in this case is to upgrade or migrate to HTTPS which means, HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, indicating the presence of a SSL or Secure Socket Layer certificate. This warning notes that HTTPS need only be used on pages that actively collect user input data, or information input by site visitors.
What it doesn’t say is said a couple lines above, “The new warning is part of a long term plan to mark all pages served over HTTP as “not secure”.” HTTPS is going to have to be applied to all pages in a website sooner or later and, since Google is forcing the securing of some pages, webmasters might as well go all in and secure all sections of their sites.
The SSL certificate is a guarantee backed up by a handshake. It is essentially a third party verification system that has to be purchased for periods of time, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc…. The guarantee is a randomly generated encryption code. The handshake is the process of verifying the certificate against the randomly generated code. If the two match every time a request is made to the server, the certificate is valid. This ensures a malicious hacker can’t worm their way between the user and website to record information or somehow manipulate the user’s experience.
There are several types of SSL certificates available, some far more expensive than others. What your website needs is dependent on the size of your site, the image you want to convey to users, and the actual level of security necessary to protect user information transmitted via forms on your site. Obviously Amazon, eBay, and your personal or business bank require a higher level of security than a magazine publisher or small e-tail store might require.
Interestingly, each ISP or domain registrar can offer slightly different SSL packages but they boil down to the same set of guarantees and handshakes. One well known discount ISP offers three packages. To protect one website (domain) costs start at $87.99/yr (CDN). To protect multiple websites or domains costs start at $195.99/yr. To protect a website and multiple sub-domains sees costs start at $391.95/yr.
By the way, did you note I said that was what a discount ISP offers? Google’s requirement that all websites implement SSL protocols is going to prompt the spending of an enormous amount of money. Try to calculate the overall cost (and perhaps benefit) to the economy if every small business with a website needs to pay between $100 and $400 per year on a series of SSL handshakes and guarantees in order to be displayed without a “Not Secure” warning. I think we’re thinking about hundreds of millions of dollars spent annually on SSL certificates in the US alone.
More often than not, your ISP or domain registrar will sell SSL certificates. They’re easy to obtain and easy to install at the ISP. If you can’t find a link for HTTPS or SSL on your ISP’s website, contact their support department and they’ll guide you through the process. Better yet, call a reputable SEO service to do the process for you.
Once the certificate is installed on the ISP, your website will start with the preface HTTPS instead of HTTP. This has a few implications you should be aware of. HTTPS://yourwebsite.com is a different URL than HTTP://yourwebsite.com is. All links from other websites were written to direct traffic to http and just because you’ve updated it doesn’t mean those links have. You either have to get everyone who has linked to you to change the links on their pages (which is never going to happen), or use a handy webmaster technique called a 301-redirect to seamlessly move traffic from the old URL to the new and secured HTTPS version. Writing the 301s can be tedious but it’s relatively easy or there are tools that will write the bulk of them for you. The 301 redirects are then placed in the .htaccess file which is uploaded to the root level of the server. Once that’s done, all traffic to the old page addresses will automatically go to the new ones.
You’ll know if the site is secure by the symbol or note in the top left corner of the address field. If you see the word secure, or a green locked padlock, your website is considered secure. If, however, you see an “i” or information symbol, you have issues with the SSL certificate. More often than not, the site will be totally secure. If not, a problem might be found in certain plug-ins or applications used on the site. If they are not secure, Google might not consider your website fully secure. An evaluation of plug-ins and apps against their usefulness and replace-ability would be warranted.
Assuming the website is secured. Don’t worry if you don’t have all that. If you don’t know what I’m writing, expect someone to say something like this if and when you ask about the site.
You’re not out of rough waters yet. Because you’re introducing a new set of URLs to Google, a short period of adjustment should be anticipated in which your website might lose positions. That will correct itself as Google figures out the new and secured URLs via the 301 redirects.
Google is imposing this virtual order on webmasters because so much of our Internet traffic is now conducted using mobile devices. Nearly 58% of all requests to Google in 2016 came across mobile devices. Consumers use their phones for as many personal and financial transactions as app makers can develop programs for. Therefore, there are more opportunities to hack mobile information and obviously there is a rising awareness among the low level criminals who become malicious hackers. By requiring a third-party guarantee and handshake, Google adds a relatively thick layer of security between data transferred on common web pages and bad folks trying to steal other people’s information or identities.
The bottom line is SSL has functionally been made mandatory by Google. It needs to be implemented in the next six weeks or Google is going to warn users of the Chrome browser to avoid your website. Getting it done is a tedious job that might take a few days, depending on the size and scope of your site. You’re going to get it done though. Google says you simply can’t refuse.
Hotels
1. THE OMNI KING EDWARD HOTEL
37 King Street East
Toronto
Jennifer Smith, General Manager
Jennifer.smith@omnihotels.com
Tel: 416-863-9700
www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. EXECUTIVE HOTELS AND RESORTS (BOUTIQUE)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mark Perry, General Manager
generalmanager@cosmotoronto.com
sales@cosmotoronto.com
reservations@cosmotoronto.com
sales.toronto@executivehotels.net
Tel: 416-350-2419
www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. HOTEL VICTORIA (BOUTIQUE)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto
Emeline Boul, General Manager
frontdesk@hotelvictoriatoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. ONE KING WEST HOTEL
1 King Street West
Toronto
Omkar Sawant, Reservations Manager
reservations@onekingwest.com
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
www.onekingwest.com
5. CAMBRIDGE SUITES TORONTO
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto
Van Nguyen, General Manager
booktoronto@cambridgesuitestoronto.com
Direct: 416-601-3757 Hotel: 416-368-1990
www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
6. LE GERMAIN HOTEL
Maple Leaf Square
75 Bremner Vlvd.
Toronto
Claudia Cantor
ccantor@germainhotels.com
416-649-4085
Jessica Ham
jham@germainhotels.com
416-910-0427
Main: 416-649-7575
www.germainhotels.com
Health and Wellness
1. MORPHEUS8 BY INMODE
47 Colborne Street
Toronto
Thom Tullo
info@amanspa.ca
Tel: 416-863-6564
www.amanspa.ca
2. ALTITUDE ATHLETIC TRAINING
56 Colborne Street
Toronto
info@altitudeathletictraining.com
Tel: 416-366-3838
www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. POUTx – Botox and filler clinic
89 King Street East
Toronto
info@thepoutxlinic.com
Tel: 647-350-5475
www.poutx.com
4. PHYSIOHEATH STUDIOS
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto
info@physiohealthstudios.com
Tel: 416-368-2525
https://physiohealthstudios.com/
CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS
1. Tim Hortons
18 King St. East (Telsec Building)
Toronto
2. Daily Ritual Café
1 King St. West
Toronto
3. Starbucks
4 King St. West
Toronto
4. Mos Mos Coffee
25 King St. West
Toronto
5. Hale Coffee Company
1 Adelaide St. E
Toronto
6. Coffee at Carltons
36 Toronto St.
Toronto
GREAT QUALITY NEIGHBOURHOOD
18 King Street East is a quality boutique Class A building – East
of Yonge Street: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely treed parks – St. James Park @
Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging
area.
RESTAURANTS/TAKE OUT
Leave it to TELSEC. Let our staff take care of the catering for the important business meeting room rental or
training seminar! Just let us know what types of food you prefer and for how many people and let us do the
rest. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Telsec can provide anything from assorted sandwiches to a high-quality
hot sit-down meal. We’re always happy to take care of our clients! https://telsec.net/boardrooms-meeting-
rooms/
1. CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto
Ryan Halsall
info@craftbeermarket.ca
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
www.craftbeermarket.ca
Toronto’s first chef-driven food hall, perfect for lunch or team outings, with a wide selection of seasonal
dishes and local brews.
2. Beerbistro restaurant and bar
Outdoor patio next to our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
18 King Street East, Main Floor
Toronto
Omid Azad
info@beerbistro.com
Tel: 416-861-9872
www.beerbistro.com
3. CONVIVIUM DINING – HIGH-END (SOME TABLES BACK ONTO OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
83 Yonge Street
Toronto
Soumini Agate
sa@myconvivium.com
General Manager
Sarah Watson
sw@myconvivium.com
Floor Manager
Tatiana Frelik (Events)
tf@myconvivium.com
Tel: 416-691-9909
www.myconvivium.com
4. RESTAURANT 20 VICTORIA – MICHELIN 2025 APPROVED
20 Victoria Street
Toronto
Declan
20vicreservations@gmail.com
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. JOEY KING STREET
20 King Street West
Toronto
Nora Elhanafy
nelhanafy@joeyrestaurants.com
Tel: 647-678-5639
www.joeyrestaurants.com
If you want to wow your business partners or clients, then grab and go from this contemporary dining
spot with a menu featuring international and regional dishes. Order their upscale east like sushi, salads,
steaks or that wagyu beef carpaccio. Yum!
6. DACASTO (take out)
37 King Street East
Toronto
Enrico Dacasto
enrico@dacasto.com
Tel: 416-214-0986
www.dacasto.com
7. DEB BREAKFAST. CO (take out)
20 Toronto Street
Toronto
Sade Henry
torontostgm@eatdeb.com
Tel: 347-880-8291
www.torontostgm.com
8. THE POKE BOX (take out)
36 Toronto Street
Toronto
Jeremy
info@thepokebox.ca
Tel: 416-929-0363
www. thepokebox.ca
For business teams that love to indulge but want to feel good about it, consider ordering from The Poke
Box. Their individual boxed meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and packed with protein! Great
for sushi lovers but without a mess.
9. CARISMA (ITALIAN)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto
Michael Pagliaro
info@carismarestaurant.com
Tel: 416-864-7373
www.carismarestaurant.com
10. NAMI (JAPANESE)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Mana
namirestaurant1984@gmail.com
Tel: 416-362-7373
www.namirestaurant.ca
11. TERRONI (ITALIAN)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Patti Shaw
info@terroni.com
Tel: 416-203-3093
www.terroni.com
12. SWAAGAT – THE REAL TASTE OF INDIA
36 King Street East
Toronto
swaagattoronto@gmail.com
Tel: 647-943-9754
13. WOODS RESTAURANT AND BAR
45 Colborne Street
Toronto
Robin Singh
info@woodsrestaurant.ca
Tel: 416-214-9918
www.woodsrestaurant.ca
14. aKin – Michelin 2025 approved
51 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mike Birdsey, Genral Manager
Eric Chong, chef + owner
info@atkintoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-0151
www.atkintoronto.com
aKin is a modern Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Toronto. Offering a
meticulously curated 10-course blind tasting menu that highlights local and seasonal ingredients, with
influences from diverse Asian cuisines.
15. CANTINA MERCATTO
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto
Niam H
info@cantinamercatto.ca
Tel: 416-304-0781
www.cantinamercatto.ca
16. UNCLE TONY’S
38 Wellington St E
Toronto
Siva Sathasivam
uncletonyssiva@gmail.com
Tel: 416-455-6650
https://uncletonys.ca/
17. FRESH KITCHEN + JUICE BAR – vegan restaurant
47 Front Street East
Toronto
Lindsey Dauilmar
ldavilmar@recipeunlimited.com
Tel: 647-693-7556
www.freshkitchens.ca
This plant-based restaurant is so good you won’t even miss meat. It’s a great choice for delicious and
health-conscious food and a top pick for those with dietary restrictions. Choose from their lunch and
dinner menu or opt for their takeout bundles and get appetizers and entrees for multiple people.
18. THE FLAT IRON: A FIRKIN PUB
49 Wellington Street East
Toronto
JC Trujillo
Jctrujillo3@gmail.com
Tel: 647-561-7224, 416-362-3444
www.firkinpubs.com/theflatiron
If your team likes pub grub, then the Firkin’s traditional English food is for you. Order from their party
platter menu for large groups, which includes all your classic pub favourites like fish and chips, sliders,
skewers, tacos, nachos, charcuterie boards and more.
19. SCORE ON KING (Sports Bar)
Outdoor Patio + Heated
Church & King
107 King Street East
Toronto
Tel: 416-519-4654
www.scoreonking.com
20. RESTAURANT LUCIE
100 Yonge Street
Toronto
info@restaurantlucie.com
Tel: 416-788-9054
www.restaurantlucie.com
21. PIZZAIOLO
(no e-mail)
104 Yonge Street
Toronto
Tel: 416-860-0700
www.pizzaiolo.ca
Restaurants
1. Ryan Halsall
CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto, ON
M5C 2V9
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
Website: www.craftbeermarket.ca
2. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com
3. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com
4. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca
6. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com
7. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca
8. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/
9. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca
10. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca
11. Amadeusz Domyslawski
GUSTO 501
501 King St. E
Toronto, ON
M5A 1L9
Tel: 416-477-5647
Website: www.gusto501.com
Health and Wellness
1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca
2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com
Hotels
1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com
5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980
18 King Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1C4 Canada
Please check out our 70 second video, click below:
Take a look at our facilities www.telsec.net
Telsec will Customize Your Client’s Office(s) Layout to Meet Their Requirements.
You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net.