Force SSL using .htaccess file

Sometimes, it may be necessary to force SSL (secure socket layer) for your website for security reasons or to comply with PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards. In this guide, we will explain how to force SSL using .htaccess file.

Prerequisites

• This guide assumes that you have access to your website’s .htaccess file.
• You need to have an SSL certificate installed on your server.

Steps to Force SSL using .htaccess file

1. Open the .htaccess file in a text editor.

2. Add the following code at the beginning of the file:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

This code enables the RewriteEngine, checks if HTTPS is off (not secure), and redirects all traffic to HTTPS.

3. Save the .htaccess file and upload it to the root directory of your website.

4. Test the SSL by accessing your website with https:// instead of http://. If everything is working correctly, you should see a green padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating that the website is secure.

Conclusion

In this guide, we demonstrated how to force SSL using .htaccess file. By following these steps, you can secure your website and ensure that sensitive data is transmitted securely.