Over the past few years, the way websites operate has changed and there has been a move away from HTTP to HTTPS (HTTPS is already the default for Google sites). The difference between the two protocols is that HTTPS uses an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate which is a digital certificate that authenticates a web site's identity and provides for greater levels of online security.  Currently, staff and students cannot fully access some websites that use HTTPS without an SSL certificate.

By week 5 this term all staff and students must have installed the SSL certificate to access the Colleges WIFI and the internet. Students have been emailed detailed instructions on how to install the SSL Certificate on their MacBooks.

The SSL Certificate MUST be installed by Monday 23rd May, students will NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS the Internet at school without the SSL certificate.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) – The foundation of online communication (how information is sent from a server to a browser).

HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) – HTTP but within an encrypted layer of security (secure).

HTTPS comes with many advantages, both performance and, most important, security-wise. All browsers are strongly encouraging users to trust only websites implementing HTTPS because this is the single measure that can help them mitigate a variety of threats and attacks.