Free HTTP Security Checker
Test how your site handles HTTP. Verify HTTP to HTTPS redirects, inspect the complete redirect chain and status codes, confirm HTTPS is enforced across your site, and catch protocol downgrade risks before an attacker does.
Redirect Analysis
HTTPS Enforcement
Downgrade Protection
What We Check
HTTP to HTTPS Redirects
- Automatic redirect from HTTP to HTTPS
- Redirect status codes (301 vs 302)
- Complete redirect chain analysis
- Identification of redirect loops or issues
HTTPS Enforcement
- Whether the www and root hostnames both redirect
- Content still reachable over plain HTTP
- Final landing protocol after the redirect chain
- Canonical HTTPS destination consistency
Downgrade & Mixed Content
- Protocol downgrade exposure on first request
- Insecure resources loaded over HTTP
- Cookies sent without the Secure flag
- Opportunities for a man-in-the-middle to intercept
Security Recommendations
- Correct 301 redirect configuration
- Closing plain-HTTP access paths
- Hardening cookies for transport security
- Next steps to lock in HTTPS for every visitor
Why HTTP to HTTPS redirects matter
Most sites serve content over HTTPS, but the first request a browser makes is often plain HTTP. If that request is not redirected immediately, an attacker on the same network can intercept or tamper with it before encryption ever kicks in. A clean, single-hop redirect to HTTPS closes that window.
What a strong setup looks like:
- Immediate upgrade: HTTP requests redirect to HTTPS with a 301
- Short chains: one hop to the final HTTPS URL, no redirect loops
- Full coverage: both the root and www hostnames enforce HTTPS
- No plain HTTP leftovers: nothing stays reachable over an insecure connection
- Secure cookies: session cookies carry the Secure flag so they never travel over HTTP
To make browsers remember the upgrade and enforce HTTPS on the very first visit, pair your redirects with an HSTS policy. Validate your HSTS header and preload status.
What a healthy redirect chain looks like
Do
Use a 301 to HTTPS
Permanent redirects are cached by browsers and search engines
Redirect in a single hop
Go straight to the final HTTPS URL, not through extra stops
Cover root and www
Every hostname should land on the same canonical HTTPS address
Avoid
302 for the HTTPS upgrade
Temporary redirects are not cached and weaken enforcement
Long redirect chains
Each extra hop is slower and another chance to intercept
Plain HTTP that still responds
Content served over HTTP defeats the point of the redirect
Ideal redirect chain:
http://example.com → 301 → https://example.comRedirects fix the second visit. HSTS fixes the first.
A redirect only helps once the browser has made that first insecure request. HTTP Strict Transport Security tells browsers to upgrade to HTTPS automatically, even before the first connection, so there is no plain-HTTP request left to intercept.
Check your HSTS header and preload status →HTTP security questions
What does the HTTP security checker test?
It follows your site from plain HTTP to HTTPS and checks how it gets there: whether HTTP redirects to HTTPS, how many hops it takes, which status codes are used, and whether HSTS protects visitors after the first visit.
Should I use a 301 or 302 redirect to HTTPS?
Use a permanent redirect (301 or 308). A temporary 302 tells browsers and search engines the move is not permanent, so it is not cached and can split search ranking between the two addresses.
Why do redirect chains matter?
Every extra hop adds latency, and any hop over plain HTTP is a chance to intercept or downgrade the visitor. The best setup reaches the final HTTPS address in a single redirect.
What is mixed content?
An HTTPS page that loads scripts, styles or images over plain HTTP. Browsers block or warn about it, and an insecure script can be tampered with in transit to take over the page.
Is the HTTP security checker free?
Yes, with no registration. It only makes ordinary requests to your site, as a browser would.
This is one check. A full scan runs them all.
FreeThe HTTP Security Check covers one area. A full scan runs every check on the same site in one go, so nothing it does not reach goes unnoticed.
Covered by this check
- HTTP to HTTPS redirect testing
- Full redirect chain inspection
- HTTPS enforcement check
- Protocol downgrade detection
- Secure cookie flag review
Added by a full scan
- SSL/TLS certificate validation
- Security headers analysis
- WordPress vulnerability scanning
- Malware & script detection
- DNS security (DNSSEC, CAA)
- Domain reputation analysis
- Certificate transparency logs
- And 6+ more security checks
Want it checked automatically? A free account rescans one site every week and emails you new findings. No credit card.
Start free monitoringMore SSL and HTTP security tools
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