Quick take
Already sold on HTTPS Everywhere?
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Short answer: You don't need HTTPS Everywhere anymore. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which built it, retired the extension in January 2023 because every major browser now has a built-in HTTPS-Only or HTTPS-First mode that does the same job better. Uninstall it and turn on the setting below instead.
What HTTPS Everywhere did
Launched by the EFF and the Tor Project in 2010, HTTPS Everywhere automatically switched websites from unencrypted HTTP to encrypted HTTPS whenever a secure version existed. Back then many sites supported HTTPS but didn't use it by default, leaving logins and browsing visible to anyone on the same Wi-Fi network. The extension helped push the web toward encryption by default — today, the large majority of page loads use HTTPS.
Why it was retired
The EFF announced the extension's end in 2022 and stopped maintaining it in January 2023, explaining that browsers had adopted the feature natively. A built-in browser setting is faster, needs no list of sites, and covers all websites rather than only those on a rule list.
How to turn on HTTPS-Only mode
Modern browsers build in the protection HTTPS Everywhere used to provide — you only need to switch it on.
Browser | Where to find it |
|---|---|
Firefox | Settings → Privacy & Security → HTTPS-Only Mode → Enable in all windows |
Chrome | Settings → Privacy and security → Security → Always use secure connections |
Edge | Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Security → Automatic HTTPS / secure connections |
Safari | Upgrades connections automatically on supported sites; keep macOS and iOS updated |
Brave | Settings → Shields → upgrade connections to HTTPS (on by default) |
With the strict setting on, the browser warns you before loading any site that only offers HTTP, so you can decide whether to continue.
What to do when you see an "insecure site" warning
- Check the address — a typo in a familiar domain can mean a lookalike site.
- Don't enter passwords or payment details on an HTTP-only page.
- If the site is a device on your home network (like a router admin page), the warning is expected; continue only if you're sure.
- For public sites, look for an HTTPS link from the organization's official pages, or contact them.
- On public Wi-Fi, consider a VPN for an extra layer of encryption.
For website owners
If your own site still loads over HTTP:
- Get a free certificate (Let's Encrypt, or your host or CDN — Cloudflare's free plan includes one).
- Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
- Enable HSTS once everything works over HTTPS.
- Check your setup with our Domain Security Report.
Why HTTPS matters
- Privacy: prevents others on your network from seeing which pages you visit on a site or what you type.
- Integrity: stops networks from injecting ads or malware into pages.
- Login safety: keeps passwords from being sent in plain text.
HTTPS doesn't mean a site is trustworthy — phishing sites use HTTPS too. It only means the connection to that site is encrypted. Check the domain carefully and use a password manager, which won't autofill on a fake domain.
Verdict
HTTPS Everywhere did its job so well that it's no longer needed. Remove the extension and enable your browser's HTTPS-Only setting for the same protection with less overhead.
Frequently asked questions
Is HTTPS Everywhere still available?
The EFF stopped maintaining it in January 2023. Use your browser's built-in HTTPS-Only mode instead.
Is it safe to keep HTTPS Everywhere installed?
It no longer receives updates, so it's better to remove it and use the built-in browser setting.
Does HTTPS mean a website is safe?
No. It means the connection is encrypted. Scam and phishing sites can also use HTTPS.
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The bottom line
