We all want to stay safe on the internet and it's easier to do so when SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is in use. SSL ensures that all communications between your web browser and the site you are visiting is encrypted. Sites using SSL will usually show a green padlock at the start of your browsers address bar.
This article shows you how to have the web server force all connections to your site using SSL, this means all connections will be made using https:// instead of http://. Keeping your information safe from hackers.
Prior to completing these steps you need to ensure that a valid SSL certificate is in place for the domain you want to force SSL on.
This can be a purchased/EV SSL certificate or a free Let'sEncrypt certificate.
To force SSL connections to a site edit the .htaccess file in the folder containing the site. You can do this through cPanel File Manager or via FTP (download the file, edit it and upload again).
Add the following lines to the top of the .htaccess file
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
After saving the file, try visiting your website using a http:// URL - you'll find that it gets redirected to the https:// version
