What is MozillaZine doing differently to display on Chrome?

[c627627]

One example of a Computer Forum page where embedded images do not display on Chrome 83, 84, 85 and 86, there are other examples:
https://www.overclockers.com/forums/sho ... php/797784

They do display fine when embedded on MozillaZine, proof:
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic ... &t=3066540

Even more interestingly, the problem kicks in, but not straight away, it takes a little after the initial installation of Chrome 83, 84, 85 and (current) 86 for embedded images to no longer load. Problem can be replicated on Android. Versions before Chrome 83 are okay, current version 86 not OK on Android either.

What are the the two forum pages above doing differently, so one can show embedded images and the other one cannot? Is this a Chrome problem or a host image server problem? Is the problem with the site that displays the embedded image (with image hosted elsewhere)? Since no other browser is affected, it leads me back to this being a Chrome problem.

What can be done differently for embedded image to show?


I suspect that the cause of some embedded images not showing up in Google Chrome, but showing up in other browsers is that Google Chrome said they will gradually block all 'mixed content downloads'
https://blog.chromium.org/2020/02/prote ... ecure.html

I tested this to be a problem on Chrome 83 and later but not on Chrome versions before that.

[LIMPET235]

More of a technical Q?, so moving this to the Tech. forum...

[c627627]

I resolved this issue.
Here are my notes:

In 2020, you *must* install an SSL Certificate where your files are hosted or else they will not show up in Chrome when hotlinked.

So here's what some people find out the hard way:
There are actually 100% free hosting options - but you cannot HOTLINK for free.
Free hotlinking is not guaranteed, so do your search for HOTLINKING whoever is reading this. Hotlinking is when you insert your image from your server, your domain, on another web site, not your own domain, in other words.

I opted for ATSPACE host then was puzzled why I couldn't get answers on why my hotlinked images are only showing on older Chrome browsers or non-Chrome browsers.

Then I found out you MUST have an SSL certificate for your images to show up in Google Chrome.


Then FINALLY,
ATSPACE told me:

We are happy to say that our Control Panel now supports the automated installation of free SSL certificates provided by Let's Encrypt.

Before you begin this process, please make sure that your domain name is fully hosted on our platform. In other words, your domain name must be configured to use our NS (nameserver) records. If you are not sure whether your domain name is using our nameserver records, let us know and we will verify this for you.

Once you are certain that your domain name is fully hosted with us, please follow the steps below:

1. Go to the SSL Manager section of our Control Panel.
2. Click on the domain name that you would like to secure. Note: it is highly recommended that you choose the "non-www" version of your domain name.
3. Open the Upload Your Certificate tab.
4. Scroll past the three SSL input fields and press the Create Free Certificate button.
5. After the page finishes loading, your certificate should be installed! Please allow an hour or so for the Let's Encrypt SSL to come into effect.

Lastly, now that your SSL certificate is installed, you may wish to force a secure HTTPS connection, even if your visitors do not ask for one. This is done differently depending on the web software that you are using. Our recommendation is to do some research and see how you can force HTTPS connections on your CMS. If you require assistance is setting up your CMS to use the Let's Encrypt certificate, please let us know.


SO ALSO MAKE SURE your "Free" Hosting offers a free SSL certificate!!