Chrome Just Declared War on Bad Certificates (And Your Website Might Be Next)

Let’s be honest, the internet’s security system was held together with digital duct tape and wishful thinking. For years, we’ve been relying on a process for verifying website legitimacy that was about as secure as a screen door on a submarine. Domain Control Validation? More like Domain Casual Validation. It was practically an open invitation for cybercriminals to snag fraudulent certificates and wreak havoc. But fear not, dear readers, because Google, in its infinite wisdom (and self-preservation), has decided enough is enough.

Chrome, the browser that dominates the digital landscape like a benevolent (or not-so-benevolent) overlord, is rolling out two major changes to the way websites prove they are who they say they are. And if you’re a webmaster, you might want to grab a strong coffee (or something stronger).

First up: Multi-Perspective Issuance Corroboration (MPIC). Sounds like a spy thriller, right? It basically means Certificate Authorities (CAs), the folks who issue those digital IDs for websites, now have to get multiple confirmations that a website owner actually owns the domain. Previously, a single check was often enough. Now, it’s like a digital neighborhood watch, with extra eyes ensuring everything is legit. The CA/Browser Forum, that august body of internet gatekeepers, unanimously approved it. Unanimous! That’s rarer than a bug-free software release.

But wait, there’s more! Google is also unleashing “linting” on the unsuspecting world of X.509 certificates. Yes, linting. Apparently, even digital certificates need a good combing-over to remove any pesky errors or outdated tech. Think of it as a digital grammar check for your website’s identity. It’s designed to flag certificates that are improperly formatted or rely on encryption methods that are about as secure as a rotary phone.

Now, you might be thinking, “Great, more hoops to jump through!” And you’d be right. But here’s the ironic twist: Google, the company pushing these changes, is also the company that profits from the chaos of security breaches (through its security services, naturally). It’s like a firefighter simultaneously inventing better fire extinguishers and secretly hoping for a good blaze.

But let’s be real, the old system was a mess. Cybercriminals were exploiting loopholes in Domain Control Validation like seasoned pros. They were getting fraudulent certificates issued, impersonating legitimate websites, and generally causing digital mayhem. MPIC and linting are attempts to close those loopholes, to make it harder for the bad guys to operate.

These changes aren’t just about security, though. They’re about control. Google wants to dictate the standards for web security, and it has the market share to do it. It’s a power play, plain and simple. And while it might benefit the internet as a whole, let’s not pretend there isn’t a healthy dose of self-interest involved.

The good news? MPIC is already mandatory, and linting kicked in on March 15, 2025. So, if you’re a webmaster, start implementation now. Brush up on your X.509 standards, familiarize yourself with tools like certlint, pkilint, x509lint, and zlint, and pray that Google doesn’t decide to change the rules again next week.

Because in the world of web security, the only constant is change.

The Tech Cynic