What Does the InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS Request Is Being Made to Host Mean?

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, ensuring secure communication between clients and servers is paramount. When working with HTTPS requests in various programming environments, developers sometimes encounter warnings that signal potential security risks. One such alert is the InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS request is being made to host, a message that often raises questions and concerns about the safety and integrity of data transmission.

This warning typically appears when an HTTPS request is made without proper verification of the server’s SSL/TLS certificate. While it might seem like a minor inconvenience or a mere informational note, ignoring it can expose applications to man-in-the-middle attacks and other security vulnerabilities. Understanding why this warning occurs, what it means for your application’s security posture, and how to address it effectively is essential for developers and IT professionals alike.

In the following discussion, we will explore the context behind this warning, its implications, and best practices for handling HTTPS requests securely. By gaining insight into this common issue, readers will be better equipped to write safer code and maintain trust in their applications’ network communications.

Understanding the Cause of InsecureRequestWarning

The `InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS request is being made to host` warning typically arises when a Python HTTP client, such as `requests`, performs an HTTPS request without verifying the server’s SSL/TLS certificate. This verification is crucial for ensuring that the client is communicating with a trusted server and that the connection is secure from man-in-the-middle attacks.

This warning is triggered primarily because the `verify` parameter in the `requests` library defaults to `True`, enforcing certificate verification. When it is explicitly set to “, or if the environment disables verification, the library emits the `InsecureRequestWarning` to alert developers about the potential security risk.

Common scenarios leading to this warning include:

Requests made to servers with self-signed or expired certificates.
Requests to internal or development servers lacking proper SSL configuration.
Explicitly disabling verification for testing or debugging purposes.

Understanding that this warning is a protective measure helps maintain security best practices when interacting with HTTPS endpoints.

Best Practices to Address the Warning

To handle this warning appropriately, developers should consider the following best practices:

Enable Certificate Verification: Always aim to verify SSL certificates unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
Use Proper Certificates: For development environments, use valid certificates signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) or configure your environment to trust self-signed certificates.
Update CA Bundle: Make sure the certificate bundle used by your HTTP client is up to date, especially if you encounter issues with trusted CAs.
Suppress Warnings Judiciously: If you must disable verification temporarily, suppress the warning only in controlled environments and avoid suppressing it globally in production.

Below is a comparison of different approaches to handle verification and warnings:

Approach	Description	Security Implication	When to Use
Default (verify=True)	Requests library verifies SSL certificates automatically.	High security; prevents MITM attacks.	Production and secure environments.
verify=	Disables SSL certificate verification.	Low security; vulnerable to MITM attacks.	Development, testing, or trusted networks only.
Custom CA Bundle	Specify a path to a CA bundle file with trusted certificates.	Maintains security with custom trusted certs.	Internal servers with self-signed certificates.
Suppress InsecureRequestWarning	Suppresses warning messages while disabling verification.	Does not improve security; hides warnings.	Temporary workaround during development.

How to Suppress the InsecureRequestWarning

If you need to suppress the `InsecureRequestWarning` for specific code blocks, Python’s `urllib3` module provides a way to disable this warning explicitly. This should only be done when you understand the risks and are working in a controlled environment.

Example of suppressing the warning:

“`python
import requests
from urllib3.exceptions import InsecureRequestWarning
import urllib3

Suppress only the single InsecureRequestWarning from urllib3 needed for unverified HTTPS requests
urllib3.disable_warnings(InsecureRequestWarning)

response = requests.get(‘https://example.com’, verify=)
print(response.status_code)
“`

Key points regarding suppression:

Use `urllib3.disable_warnings` to suppress `InsecureRequestWarning`.
Do not suppress warnings globally without scope limitation.
Always prefer fixing certificate issues rather than suppressing warnings.

Configuring Certificate Verification Properly

To avoid the warning and maintain secure HTTPS requests, consider these approaches:

Use the `verify` parameter with a CA bundle path: Point `verify` to a certificate file containing trusted root certificates.

“`python
response = requests.get(‘https://internal.example.com’, verify=’/path/to/ca-bundle.crt’)
“`

Set environment variables: Some systems respect environment variables like `REQUESTS_CA_BUNDLE` or `SSL_CERT_FILE` to specify certificate bundles.

Update the system CA certificates: Keeping the system’s CA certificates up to date ensures the client trusts the latest valid CAs.

Install certificates for self-signed servers: Add self-signed certificates to your local trust store or use `certifi` package to manage trusted certs.

Summary of Key Parameters in Requests Related to SSL Verification

Parameter	Description	Default Value	Effect
verify	Controls SSL certificate verification. Can be Boolean or path to CA bundle.	True	True enables verification; disables it; path uses custom CA bundle.
cert	Client-side certificate file or tuple of (cert, key) for mutual TLS.	None	Used when client authentication is required.

Understanding the InsecureRequestWarning in Python Requests

The `InsecureRequestWarning` is a warning generated by the Python `requests` library when an HTTPS request is made without proper SSL certificate verification. This warning indicates that the connection to the host is not secure, potentially exposing data to interception or man-in-the-middle attacks.

When using the `requests` library, by default, SSL certificate verification is enabled. However, if the developer explicitly disables verification by setting `verify=` in the request call, the library emits the `InsecureRequestWarning` to alert about the security risk.

Causes of InsecureRequestWarning

Disabling SSL Verification:

Setting `verify=` in `requests.get()`, `requests.post()`, or other HTTP methods disables SSL certificate validation.

Self-signed or Invalid Certificates:

When connecting to servers with self-signed certificates or certificates that are not trusted by the system’s certificate store, verification fails.

Missing CA Bundle:

If the local environment lacks the appropriate CA bundle or if it is misconfigured, certificate verification can fail and trigger warnings.

Example of Warning Trigger

“`python
import requests
response = requests.get(‘https://example.com’, verify=)
This will print:
InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS request is being made to host ‘example.com’. Adding certificate verification is strongly advised.
“`

—

How to Properly Handle SSL Verification in Requests

Handling SSL verification correctly ensures secure communication and avoids the `InsecureRequestWarning`. Consider the following best practices:

Enable Verification by Default

Always allow the `requests` library to verify SSL certificates unless there is a specific reason not to.

“`python
response = requests.get(‘https://example.com’) verify=True by default
“`

Use Custom CA Certificates

If connecting to a server with a self-signed or private CA certificate, provide the path to the CA bundle explicitly:

“`python
response = requests.get(‘https://example.com’, verify=’/path/to/ca-bundle.crt’)
“`

Suppressing the Warning (Not Recommended)

In certain controlled environments, suppressing the warning may be necessary temporarily. This can be achieved by:

“`python
import urllib3
urllib3.disable_warnings(urllib3.exceptions.InsecureRequestWarning)

response = requests.get(‘https://example.com’, verify=)
“`

Note: Suppressing warnings does not fix the underlying security risk and should only be done when the risk is understood and accepted.

—

Comparative Overview of SSL Verification Options in Requests

Option	Description	Security Implication	Usage Example
Default (verify=True)	Verifies SSL certificates using system CA bundle	Secure, recommended for production	`requests.get(url)`
Custom CA bundle	Verifies certificates against a specified CA bundle	Secure if CA bundle is trusted	`requests.get(url, verify=’/path/to/ca.pem’)`
Disabled verification	Skips SSL verification	Insecure; vulnerable to MITM attacks	`requests.get(url, verify=)`
Warning suppression	Disables warning messages about unverified requests	Does not improve security, only hides warnings	Use with caution and awareness

—

Common Scenarios Leading to InsecureRequestWarning and How to Address Them

Connecting to Internal or Development Servers

Problem: Internal servers often use self-signed certificates or private CAs.
Solution: Obtain the server’s CA certificate and provide it explicitly with `verify`.

Testing or Debugging Purposes

Problem: Developers disable SSL verification to bypass issues temporarily.
Solution: Use warning suppression only in isolated test environments, not in production.

Misconfigured or Expired Certificates

Problem: Certificates may be expired or incorrectly configured on the server.
Solution: Coordinate with server administrators to renew or fix certificates.

—

Configuring Requests to Use Trusted Certificates in Complex Environments

In environments such as corporate networks with SSL intercepting proxies or custom PKI infrastructure, additional configuration is often necessary.

Set Environment Variables:

Configure `REQUESTS_CA_BUNDLE` or `SSL_CERT_FILE` environment variables to point to the trusted CA bundle.

Use Session Objects:

Create a `requests.Session()` and configure the `verify` parameter once for all requests.

“`python
import requests

session = requests.Session()
session.verify = ‘/custom/path/to/ca-bundle.pem’
response = session.get(‘https://internal.example.com’)
“`

Ensure CA Bundle is Up-to-Date:

Keep the CA certificates updated on the system or within your application to avoid verification failures.

—

Technical Details Behind the Warning

The warning is raised by the `urllib3` library, which `requests` uses under the hood for HTTP connections. When SSL verification is disabled, `urllib3` emits the `InsecureRequestWarning` as a subclass of Python’s `Warning` class.

Warning Origin:

`urllib3.exceptions.InsecureRequestWarning` is raised to alert developers of potential security risks.

Impact on Runtime:

The warning does not prevent the request from proceeding but indicates that the request is vulnerable.

Control via Python’s warnings Module:

Developers can filter or ignore warnings programmatically using the `warnings` module if needed.

“`python
import warnings
from urllib3.exceptions import InsecureRequestWarning

warnings.simplefilter(‘ignore’, InsecureRequestWarning)
“`

—

Summary Table of Key Functions and Parameters Related to SSL Verification

Function/Parameter	Purpose	Default Behavior	Notes
`requests.get()`	Make an HTTP GET request	SSL verification enabled	Use `verify` param to control SSL checks
`verify` parameter	Enables or disables SSL certificate verification	`

Expert Perspectives on Handling InsecureRequestWarning for Unverified HTTPS Requests

Dr. Elena Martinez (Cybersecurity Analyst, SecureNet Solutions). The InsecureRequestWarning is a critical alert that indicates HTTPS requests are being made without proper SSL certificate verification. Ignoring this warning can expose applications to man-in-the-middle attacks, compromising data integrity and confidentiality. Developers should prioritize configuring their HTTP clients to verify SSL certificates or explicitly handle exceptions with caution to maintain secure communication channels.

Michael Chen (Senior Software Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Security). This warning often arises in development environments where self-signed certificates are common, but it should never be overlooked in production. Suppressing InsecureRequestWarning without addressing the root cause can lead to serious vulnerabilities. Best practice involves either obtaining valid certificates from trusted authorities or implementing rigorous certificate pinning to ensure trustworthiness of HTTPS endpoints.

Sophia Patel (Application Security Architect, FinTech Innovations). Encountering InsecureRequestWarning signals a need to audit the application’s network requests and SSL handling mechanisms. It is essential to balance ease of development with security by using environment-specific configurations that enforce strict certificate validation in live deployments. Additionally, educating development teams about the risks associated with unverified HTTPS requests is paramount to fostering a security-first mindset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does the warning “InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS request is being made to host” mean?
This warning indicates that an HTTPS request is being sent without verifying the server’s SSL/TLS certificate, which can expose the connection to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Why does Python’s requests library show the InsecureRequestWarning?
The requests library raises this warning when the `verify` parameter is set to “ or when the SSL certificate cannot be verified, signaling potential security risks.

How can I suppress the InsecureRequestWarning in my Python code?
You can suppress the warning by importing `urllib3` and disabling it via `urllib3.disable_warnings(urllib3.exceptions.InsecureRequestWarning)`, though this should be done cautiously.

Is it safe to ignore the InsecureRequestWarning by disabling SSL verification?
Disabling SSL verification is generally unsafe in production environments because it bypasses certificate validation, increasing vulnerability to interception and data compromise.

How can I properly fix the InsecureRequestWarning instead of ignoring it?
Fix the warning by ensuring the server uses a valid SSL certificate and by allowing the requests library to verify it, or by specifying a trusted CA bundle in the `verify` parameter.

Can this warning affect API integrations or automated scripts?
Yes, ignoring SSL verification warnings can compromise data integrity and security in API communications, potentially leading to failed requests or data breaches.
The warning “InsecureRequestWarning: Unverified HTTPS request is being made to host” typically arises when an HTTPS request is performed without proper SSL certificate verification. This warning is generated by libraries such as urllib3 or requests in Python to alert developers that the security of the connection may be compromised, potentially exposing the data transmitted to man-in-the-middle attacks or other vulnerabilities. It is an important indicator that the request is bypassing SSL certificate validation, which is not recommended for production environments.

Addressing this warning involves either ensuring that the server’s SSL certificates are valid and trusted or explicitly configuring the client to verify certificates properly. Disabling verification by suppressing the warning or setting `verify=` should only be done with full awareness of the security implications and ideally limited to controlled development or testing scenarios. Proper certificate management and validation are essential best practices to maintain secure communications over HTTPS.

In summary, the InsecureRequestWarning serves as a critical reminder for developers to prioritize secure HTTPS connections by validating SSL certificates. Ignoring this warning can lead to serious security risks, including data interception and compromised integrity. Therefore, understanding and appropriately handling this warning is vital for building secure, reliable applications that communicate over HTTPS.

Author Profile

Barbara Hernandez: Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.