Have you ever taken note of the fact that some web addresses begin with http://, whereas others commence with https://?
Have you observed the extra “s” when you visited websites that needed you to input private data, such as when you were making payments online?
Where did the additional ‘s’ originate from and what does it designate? In short, the added “s” in the URL’s indicates that your link to the website is assuredly safe and encrypted; whatever information you give will be protected when sent to the website. The technology behind the “s” is referred to as SSL, which is an acronym for “Secure Sockets Layer.”
Whenever you trust a website with sensitive information, it is in your interest as a consumer to be sure they are using https://. As a marketer, it is important for you to provide your audience with at least one or two SSLs.
Let’s talk about why SSL is a big deal.
What is an SSL certificate?
Small data files that allow for a secure connection to be established between a web server and a browser can be established through SSL certificates. This connection is encrypted in order to protect the data being transferred. This link makes sure that all information shared between the web server and web browser is kept safe and secure.
If you come across a webpage asking for information to be filled out and submitted, the data you enter can be accessed by an unauthorized individual if the website is not secure.
This can range from specifics concerning a bank operation to putting into a email to sign up for a proposal. In hacker talk, this process of seizing control is often called a “man-in-the-middle assault.”
Wondering how attacks happen? One of the most regular tactics used by hackers is to sneakily put an undetectable listening program onto the server hosting the website. The program lies dormant until a person begins to enter data on the site, at which point it will become active and collect the info to be sent to the malicious individual.
A little scary, right?
However, when you go to an internet page which has been protected by SSL, your browser will establish a link with the website’s server, examine its SSL certificate, and join the browser and the web server. This bond is secure to make sure that nothing you type can be viewed or obtained by anyone apart from you and the website.
It happens without delay, and some propose that it is swifter than accessing an unprotected website. To securely connect to a website, all you need to do is go to a site that utilizes SSL, and you’re all set!
An SSL is security technology. This is a system used by web browsers and servers to guarantee that the data passed between them stays secure. An encrypted connection is established between the server and web browser to accomplish this.
Organizations that need private information from a customer, like an email address or monetary facts, should have SSL certificates on their site. Having a padlock and HTTPS:// protocol ensures that any information collected from customers is kept confidential and safe from prying eyes.
The strength of SSL certificates is determined by the type of validation, security, and number of domains/subdomains that can be covered by the certificate.
Types Of Certificates
The security of SSL certificates is covered by encryption, validation, and the quantity of domains. There are three distinct categories, and they can all be found on the SSL website if you want to apply. A Certificate Authority (CA) is an application created specifically to issue and administer certificates.
For security and authentication certificates, there are domain, corporation, and extended validation options. Certificates with a specific domain identifier can be either single, multiple domain, or wildcard.
Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate
This document verifies that the padlock, HTTPS, business name, and business country will appear in the address bar, reducing the chance of being mistaken for a suspicious website.
EV SSL certificates are typically much more costly than other options, but they effectively demonstrate to visitors that your domain is authentic, for instance by displaying appropriate information in the web address bar. In order to initiate an EV SSL, one must verify that they are qualified to possess the domain which is being put forward. This guarantees that customers can trust that the data you are obtaining is allowed to be used lawfully to take actions like requiring a credit card number for an online purchase.
Any company can get their hands on an Extended Validation SSL certificate and it is especially essential for those that require validation of their identity. For example, if your website processes online payments or accumulates information, it would be beneficial for you to get this certification.
Organization Validated (OV SSL) Certificate
This certificate confirms that your business entity and domain validation are authentic. Organization Validated SSL certificates provide a moderate level of security and require going through a two-step process to acquire. The CA would begin by confirming the domain ownership and making sure the firm complies with all relevant regulations.
In their web browser, users would notice a little green lock with the business’s name trailing behind it. Try this certificate if you don’t have the money to pay for an EV SSL but still want to give some form of encryption.
Domain Validation (DV) Certificate
A Domain Validation (DV) certificate provides a minimal amount of encryption that can be viewed as a green lock icon to the right of the URL in the browser’s address field. You can get confirmation instantly with just a few records of the business.
This process occurs when you include a Domain Name Server to the Certificate Authority. The CA will analyze the applicant’s entitlement to the domain in question for this certification. (Note: DVs don’t secure subdomains, just the domain itself).
The CA won’t investigate any identity information, so it will be impossible to identify who the encrypted information is getting sent to in comparison to the EV SSL. If your business can’t cover the cost for a higher-level SSL, then a Domain Validated SSL certificate should be sufficient.
Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL Certificates are in the classification of “domain and subdomain quantity”. A Wildcard SSL ensures that a single certificate purchased for one domain can be used for any subdomain under that domain.
For instance, if you acquire a Wildcard for example.com, it could be put to use on mail.example.com and blog.example.com. This alternative is more cost-effective than buying several SSL certificates for a variety of domains.
Unified Communications Certificate (UCC)
UCCs are identical to Multi-Domain SSL certificates and can be used for the same purpose. UCCs were originally formed to protect Microsoft Exchange and Live Communications servers. Today, website proprietors are able to take advantage of these certificates to permit multiple website names to be protected with one certificate. UCC Certificates are verified and confirmed by an organization and a padlock symbol will appear in the web browser. Uniform Resource Identifiers (UCCs) can be used as Extended Validation Secure Sockets Layer (EV SSL) certificates to provide website users with the utmost confidence by displaying a green address bar.
It is important to know the various SSL certificates available in order to get the appropriate one for your website.
How to obtain an SSL certificate
SSL credentials can be obtained straight from a Certificate Authority (CA). Millions of SSL certificates are issued on an annual basis by entities known as Certificate Authorities or Certification Authorities. They have an essential part in the way the internet functions and how dependable, reliable dealings can happen on the web.
The price of an SSL certificate varies from absolutely no cost to several hundred dollars, depending on the amount of security you need. Once you decide what kind of certification you need, you can start looking for a Certificate Issuer that provides SSLs at the necessary level.
Obtaining your SSL involves the following steps:
- Prepare by getting your server set up and ensuring your WHOIS record is updated and matches what you are submitting to the Certificate Authority (it needs to show the correct company name and address, etc.)
- Generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your server. This is an action your hosting company can assist with.
- Submitting this to the Certificate Authority to validate your domain and company details
- Installing the certificate they provide once the process is complete.
Once received, you should set up the certificate on the web server you are making use of or on your own personal servers if you host the website by yourself.
The speed at which your certificate arrives depends on the specific kind of certificate and the issuer of it. It takes varying amounts of time to finish each grade of authentication. A Domain Validation SSL certificate can be issued almost immediately after you place an order for one, but an Extended Validation certificate can take up to seven days to be issued.
Is SSL good for SEO?
Yes. The main objective of SSL is to make sure communications between your site and visitors are protected, but it can also be advantageous for search engine optimization. Google Webmaster Trends Analysts have stated that taking steps to secure websites with SSL is a factor in determining the rankings of websites on Google’s search engine.
Additionally, suppose two websites have similar data, yet one of them utilizes SSL encryption, while the other does not. The initial website may gain a minor ranking boost because it’s protected by encryption. SSL activation on a website and pages offers a distinct benefit in terms of SEO.
Can an SSL certificate be used on multiple servers?
You can employ a single SSL certificate across multiple domains hosted on the same server. The seller you get your SSL certificate from may permit you to appreciate the same one across multiple servers. Due to the Multi-Domain SSL certificates that we spoke of previously, this is the case.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificates are meant to be used with multiple domains, as evidenced by their name. The exact amount is determined by the organization producing the Certificate. A Multi-Domain SSL Certificate differs from a Single Domain SSL Certificate, which only protects one website, as its name suggests.
Things can be complicated and you may come across Multi-Domain SSL Certificates usually referred to as SAN certificates. SAN stands for Subject Alternative Name. Every certificate that covers multiple domains has supplementary areas that can be employed to list other domains you want to include in the same certificate.
UCCs and Wildcard SSLs can both be used to secure multiple domains at the same time, with Wildcard SSLs having the capacity for an infinite quantity of subdomains.
How to tell if a site has an SSL certificate
The easiest way to see if a site has an SSL certificate is by looking at the address bar in your browser:
- If the URL begins with HTTPS instead of HTTP, that means the site is secured using an SSL certificate.
- Secure sites show a closed padlock emblem, which you can click on to see security details – the most trustworthy sites will have green padlocks or address bars.
- Browsers also show warning signs when a connection is not secure — such as a red padlock, a padlock which is not closed, a line going through the website’s address, or a warning triangle on top of the padlock emblem.
How do SSL certificates work?
SSL encrypts any data transferred between users and websites, or two different systems, keeping it unreadable. This technology applies encryption algorithms to the data being passed along, rendering it indecipherable for hackers as the information travels over the line. This data may contain private data such as identities, residence, credit card digits, or other fiscal information.
The process works like this:
- A browser or server attempts to connect to a website (i.e., a web server) secured with SSL.
- The browser or server requests that the web server identifies itself.
- The web server sends the browser or server a copy of its SSL certificate in response.
- The browser or server checks to see whether it trusts the SSL certificate. If it does, it signals this to the webserver.
- The web server then returns a digitally signed acknowledgment to start an SSL encrypted session.
- Encrypted data is shared between the browser or server and the webserver.
This process, known as an “SSL handshake,” is surprisingly quick, taking only a few milliseconds to complete.
When a website has been safeguarded by an SSL certificate, the acronym HTTPS (which is an abbreviation for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) will be visible in the URL. Without having an SSL certificate, only the letters HTTP will show, not the “S” for secure. A padlock symbol will show up in the browser address bar. This establishes confidence and helps to ease the worries of those accessing the website.
To examine the information contained in an SSL certificate, you can click on the lock icon situated in the web browser toolbar. Details typically included within SSL certificates include:
- The domain name that the certificate was issued for
- Which person, organization, or device it was issued to
- Which Certificate Authority issued it
- The Certificate Authority’s digital signature
- Associated subdomains
- Issue date of the certificate
- The expiry date of the certificate
- The public key (the private key is not revealed)
The Last Words
The hazards of cybersecurity keep changing, but if we can recognize various kinds of SSL certificates and learn how to single out safe websites instead of potentially hazardous ones, we can avert being scammed and keep our confidential information secure from cyber attackers.
