SSL Certificates: Introduction 101

The importance of security lies in a couple of facts: security helps you protect any valuable data presented on your site. Take the example of security at a store. Present at the entrance, security stops any individual from stealing what does not belong to them, or what has not been paid for. Similarly, SSL Certificates are placed to ensure no one comes close to robbing from the site.?

What are SSL Certificates?

SSL Certificates or Secure Sockets Layer Certificates which are digital established secure encryption connections between a web server and a web browser. What SSL Certificate contains is information about the website and the owners - the organization - and the public key which is needed to establish a secure connection.?

Why SSL Certificates?

This blog isn’t to state that the only important factor to security is SSL Certificates, however, it is considered one of the main defenses against any digital threats. A few key factors in which SSL Certificates differ from other security measures are:?

Encryption

SSL Certificates use encryption to secure the connection both ways - between a web server and a web browser ensuring the data flows both ways without any interception by unauthorized parties.?

Authentication

Providing authentication by verifying the identity of the website, as well as the owning organization, SSL Certificates help prevent attackers from either impersonating or stealing sensitive information.?

Scope?

SSL Certificates are almost too specific at securing the connection that goes between web servers and web browsers, which makes it more detail oriented, as opposed to the other security measures present.?

SSL Certificate for Ecommerce Websites?

SSL certificates are an essential component of ecommerce websites, providing a secure connection for online transactions and building customer trust. When choosing an SSL certificate, it's important to consider the type of certificate that best fits your business needs.

For businesses with a single server and domain name, a standard SSL certificate is typically sufficient. This certificate provides a secure connection and displays the padlock icon in the browser. However, for businesses with multiple domains or subdomains, a multi-domain SSL certificate or wildcard SSL certificate may be necessary.?

Multi-domain SSL certificates allow businesses to secure an unlimited number of domains and subdomains with a single certificate, while wildcard SSL certificates secure all subdomains under a single domain name.

For businesses that use Microsoft Exchange Server, unified communication certificates (UCC) provide a cost-effective solution for securing multiple domains and subdomains. Additionally, extended validation (EV) SSL certificates provide the highest level of trust by displaying a green bar in the browser and providing additional information about the organization that owns the certificate.

When selecting an SSL certificate, it's important to pay attention to the expiration date and to renew the certificate before it expires. Additionally, some SSL certificates require businesses to provide proof of their physical address and other business information, as is the case with OV SSL certificates.

SSL Certificates?

An vital tool for website owners to safeguard the safety of their website and defend sensitive data from online threats is an SSL certificate. Website owners can select the appropriate security level that suits their needs from a variety of SSL certificate options, including domain validation and EV certificates. Website owners can safeguard login information and other sensitive data from being intercepted by installing SSL, which creates an encrypted connection with their users.

The security of online transactions is further increased by the use of SSL certificates for document signing and other security measures. Private key encryption and the SSL handshake allow website owners to feel secure knowing that their website is protected by the most recent security technologies. In general, SSL certificates are essential for creating a safe online presence and winning over customers.