SSL certificate is one of the most heard terms when you consider or plan to design a website. This is very much needed for any business website that manages sensitive customer data. It makes your site more secure and reliable. Reading more about it may seem like reading a strange language for a non-techie person. But this is not that difficult as you may think.
Here is all that you need to understand about having SSL certificates for your website:
What is an SSL Certificate?
Have you discerned that http:// or https:// that come before any URL in your browser? The websites with https:// must be the ones who control sensitive data. The standard technology that enables that extra ‘s’ is SSL, which means Secure Sockets Layer. This technology is deemed to install an encrypted link connecting a web server and browser. Whereby allows all data transferred between the web server and browser secure and private.
Are you confused with the difference between the both? Well, those websites with http:// points out that the site is not encrypted which means it is unprotected to third party attack. Such sites may also give the path for hackers to insert malware or ads. The websites with https:// are encrypted with SSL certificate which guarantees complete security for all transferred data within that website.
What are the Benefits of SSL?
Netscape developed the SSL protocol, which assures that any data transferred between the user and server remains encrypted or decrypted, to keep it secure from any third party access. Other benefits include:
- Prevents from hacking
- No unlawful person can spy on you
- Restricts cybercriminals from redirecting visitors to their site
- Guarantees complete data security
- Allows encryption
- Assures the privacy and integrity of the data exchanged
How does it function?
We can call it a digital passport, in which it checks both the credentials of yours and the web server. Once the identities are checked a secure connection is imparted through https. The process performed is using certificates, which contains the important aspects such as the serial number of the certificate used for identification, owner’s name, and the public key used to encrypt/decrypt information, and the certificate’s expiration date. All these are among the remote computer and the server. Hence, you don’t have to bother about processing all the things mentioned before. In short, this SSL certificate provides your customers with an increased level of assurance with whom they are doing business with and vice versa.
How is the secure connection empowered through an SSL certificate?
When a website is secured by SSL attempts to open in a browser, a process named SSL Handshake takes place. There’s no need to get worried that you haven’t viewed anything as such. It is an immediate procedure which is transparent to the users.
To establish an SSL connection, three keys are used:
The Public Key
The Private Key
The Session Key
If anything is encrypted with the Public Key, it can only be decrypted by Private Key and vice-versa. These are only used to generate a Session Key through this SSL handshake. The Session Key is applied to encrypt all given data when the secure connection is made.
Why should I need an SSL Certificate?
For register for an offer, online purchase, bank transfer or so, highly delicate personal data is being entered or handled across the internet. As discussed, at this time when hackers are becoming smarter, credibility is a basic concern for any matter transferred over the web. People these days largely prefer to do business with those who ensure total security for their private data. This is the reason that websites like Amazon are getting more customers. Do you know how your important data is being watched over? Usually, the hackers sneak in placing a listening program which is undetectable on the server of the hosting website. As the users start typing their information on the site, the program captures the info and transfers it to the hacker.
To give your visitors that yours is a trusted website, it should contain that https:// or SSL certificate. If your website operates personal information for transactions or the similar dealings; an SSL certificate is mandatory in that case. Go to the website encrypted with SSL, establishes a connection with the web server. This connection is so safe and secure that no one could access any of the data you insert in your browser.
Are you Worried if it would affect your SEO rankings?
Be assured, SSL is now a part of Google’s search engine algorithms. So keep your websites secure as well as, top-ranked.
How to get an SSL certificate for your website?
Getting an SSL certificate depends on your need. First, you’re required to find the domains, main internet sites, including blogs, or so on, which you need to secure with the SSL certificate. You can buy the type of license based on the configuration of any domain. Besides, many of your top consideration might be the validity of the certification. Most standard certificates come with 1 to 2 years validity by default. If you want a longer duration of validity, check for more superior options.
How to set up an SSL certificate?
To set up an SSL certificate, you need to create CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on your web server. If you have central privileges on your web server, you may be ready to take out the task by self. Still, exploring your web host’s assistance is much recommended, as they would know exactly how to do it without any loss making your work much simpler. As soon as your CSR is created, you may talk to any good SSL certificate providers for further procedures.
Show up that you are trustworthy! Whether you have an eCommerce website or any other which requires encryption, get one for yours at the earliest.
Let your customers understand that you value their security. There are many digital certificate providers such as GeoTrust, which are reliable sources to get the SSL certificate for your sites, at an effective cost.
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