Web site says "NOT SECURE" extra charge to add SSL

[gurtch]

Hi all: Not sure where to post this. I have had the same web site provider for a long time. Today I added some new images to it. When I went to my site the pages said "NOT SECURE". I do not have the ability to sell prints via my site, so I do not accept credit cards. I did an "instant chat" with my provider and was told I do not have SSL, and it would cost me $39.99 per year to get it. I bit, but I don't even know what SSL is. Did I get ripped off? Should I cancel the "SSL" after one year? This charge is in addition to what I pay for my site to be hosted. Sorry for what may be a dumb question. I am 85, and photography is a hobby, but I do sell my work. People visit my site (which I built myself using a "How To" book I bought), then pick out what they want and email me through my web site or call me. I do not take credit card information over my site email. I was afraid potential Clients would be scared away from my site because of the warning.
Thanks in advance
Dave Gurtcheff
Beach Haven NJ
web site if you are curious what I do:
www.modernpictorials.com

 

[gurtch]

I paid the fee, and the issue is resolved. They got me!
Dave

 

[spijker]

I'm using the free service of Let's Encrypt to have SSL for my website. So far no issues.

 

[buildbot]

+1 for lets encrypt, if you have the ability to setup your own webserver, caddy integrates it automatically: https://caddyserver.com/