Before a website goes live
Website
launch check
We check the pages and browser settings, fix what fails, then run the same check again.
Here is what changed on Cedar Thread Tailoring's four-page website.
Compare the buildsFirst build
2 of 12checks passedLaunch build
12 of 12checks passed
The same check, twice
Before and after results
4 pages checked in each build
We ran this check on a local copy of the site. Browsers start following the HTTPS setting once the site is live on HTTPS.
| What we check | First build | Launch build |
|---|---|---|
| HTTPS preferenceStrict-Transport-Security Asks browsers to use HTTPS on future visits. What we changedAdded the header that tells browsers to use HTTPS. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send the HTTPS setting. Raw output |
| Allowed files and framesContent-Security-Policy Limits loaded files and which pages may embed this site. What we changedAllowed only the site's own files, turned off form sending and stopped other sites from framing it. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send a policy allowing only this site's files and blocking form sending and framing. Raw output |
| Declared file typesX-Content-Type-Options Stops browsers guessing a different file type. What we changedAdded nosniff and served files with the right content type. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send the setting to respect declared file types. Raw output |
| Referrer informationReferrer-Policy Keeps the referring page address out of outgoing requests. What we changedSet no-referrer on every page. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send the setting to leave out referrer information. Raw output |
| Camera, microphone and locationPermissions-Policy Turns off browser features this site does not need. What we changedDenied camera, microphone and location access. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send the setting to turn off camera, microphone and location. Raw output |
| Page framingX-Frame-Options Stops other sites from showing this site inside a frame to trick visitors into clicking. What we changedBlocked framing for older browsers too. | Fail The header is missing on all 4 pages. Raw output | Pass All 4 pages send the setting to block framing. Raw output |
| Mixed contentPage resources Loads every file over HTTPS, so nobody can read or change it on the way. What we changedRemoved the plain HTTP image reference. | Fail A plain HTTP image was found on 1 of 4 pages. Our test blocked it before fetching. Raw output | Pass No plain HTTP files were found on any of the 4 pages. Raw output |
| Form spam trapContact form Checks that the form has a hidden field that catches spam bots. What we changedAdded the hidden website field. Sending stays turned off. | Fail 0 of 1 forms have the hidden spam-trap field. Raw output | Pass 1 of 1 forms have the hidden spam-trap field. Raw output |
| Form destinationContact form Checks where the form would send an entry. What we changedKept the form disabled with no delivery service. | Pass Form sending is turned off, and the local server rejects submissions. Raw output | Pass Form sending is turned off, and the local server rejects submissions. Raw output |
| Third-party scriptsScript sources Checks that any script loaded from another site carries a fingerprint proving it wasn't changed. What we changedKept outside scripts off the site. | Pass No third-party scripts on any of the 4 pages. Raw output | Pass No third-party scripts on any of the 4 pages. Raw output |
| Privacy linkPage footers Makes the privacy page easy to find. What we changedLinked the existing privacy page from every footer. | Fail 0 of 4 page footers link to the privacy page. Raw output | Pass 4 of 4 page footers link to the privacy page. Raw output |
| Browser consoleFour page visits Checks for browser errors while the pages load. What we changedRemoved the stale gallery script link. | Fail A missing gallery script on all 4 pages, and our test blocking the plain HTTP image. Raw output | Pass No browser errors on any of the 4 pages. Raw output |
At launch
Your check results to keep
You get the results file and a one-page summary of what we checked, what changed and what still needs attention.
Read our website security checklistSources
- MDN: HTTPS preference (HSTS)
- MDN: allowed page resources
- MDN: declared file types
- MDN: referrer information
- MDN: browser feature permissions
- MDN: protection from page framing
- MDN: allowed parent frames
- MDN: mixed content
- MDN: script integrity checks
- MDN: form destinations
- MDN: browser error messages
- MDN: privacy information
- OWASP Secure Headers Project