Using is_ssl to check current page SSL status in WordPress

The is_ssl function in WordPress is designed to check if the website or blog is being accessed via a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. SSL is a standard security protocol for establishing encrypted links between a web server and a browser, ensuring that all data passed between the two remains private and secure.

The is_ssl function can be useful in various situations. For instance, it allows developers to determine the protocol being used to access the website, which can be crucial when loading resources or redirecting users. If a website uses mixed content, meaning both HTTP and HTTPS content are present, it can lead to warnings or blocks in some browsers. Knowing whether SSL is in use can help resolve these issues.

Additionally, the function can be used to enhance the security of a website. If the is_ssl function detects that the site is not being accessed via SSL, developers can potentially redirect users to the secure version of the site. This can help protect user data and maintain the integrity of the website.

In summary, the is_ssl function in WordPress is a function that checks if the website is being accessed via SSL. It can be useful for handling resources, redirecting users, and enhancing the security of a website.

Parameters Accepted by the is_ssl Function

The is_ssl function in WordPress is designed to operate without needing any parameters. It is a standalone function that doesn’t require any specific input from the user to perform its task. This makes it a straightforward and simple function to use, as it doesn’t necessitate the provision of any arguments or parameters.

Return Value of the is_ssl Function

The is_ssl function is used to check if SSL is being used. It does this by returning a boolean value. If SSL is in use, the function will return a True value. If SSL is not being used, the function will return a False value. This allows for a simple and clear way to check the SSL status of a WordPress site.

Examples

How to Check if the Current Page is Loaded Over HTTPS

WordPress provides a function called is_ssl() to check whether the current page is loaded over HTTPS or not. Here is a simple usage of this function. 

if (is_ssl()) {
 echo 'This page is loaded over HTTPS';
} else {
 echo 'This page is not loaded over HTTPS';
}

In the above code snippet, the is_ssl() function checks if the current page is loaded over HTTPS. If it is, it prints ‘This page is loaded over HTTPS’. Otherwise, it prints ‘This page is not loaded over HTTPS’.

How to Load Stylesheet Based on HTTP or HTTPS

You can use the is_ssl() function to decide which stylesheet to load based on whether the current page is loaded over HTTP or HTTPS. Here is an example. 

if (is_ssl()) {
 wp_enqueue_style('secure-stylesheet', get_template_directory_uri() . '/secure-style.css');
} else {
 wp_enqueue_style('non-secure-stylesheet', get_template_directory_uri() . '/non-secure-style.css');
}

In the above code snippet, the is_ssl() function is used to enqueue a different stylesheet based on whether the current page is loaded over HTTPS or not.

How to Redirect HTTP to HTTPS

If you want to force all traffic to use HTTPS, you can use the is_ssl() function to do a redirect. Here is an example. 

if (!is_ssl()) {
 wp_redirect('https://' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'] . $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'], 301);
 exit();
}

In the above code snippet, the is_ssl() function is used to check if the current page is loaded over HTTPS. If it’s not, it redirects the page to the HTTPS version using the wp_redirect() function.

Conclusion

The is_ssl() function in PHP is a built-in function that checks if the SSL protocol is used or not. It returns true if the SSL protocol is used and false if it isn’t. This function is typically used to determine whether the current request was made using the HTTPS protocol, which is a secure version of HTTP. This is important in scenarios where certain content or functionality should only be available over a secure connection, such as when handling sensitive user data.

Related WordPress Functions

in WordPress Functions