SSL certificates are an important part of how websites work online. They create a secure connection between a web browser and the server hosting a website. You can tell if a site has SSL installed by looking for a padlock icon in the URL bar. It can also be confirmed by checking the certificate to see who verified it.
Authentication
When a web browser or server connects to an SSL secured website, both sides begin a process of authentication. This step verifies that the server certificate is valid and that it contains information about a real organization. The client uses the public key it knows is associated with the CA to validate the CA's digital signature on the server certificate. If the server certificate does not match the one the client knows is from a trusted CA, the connection will be denied.
This step ensures that the data sent between the server and client is authenticated and not intercepted by any hacker. It also prevents phishing attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks that could reveal the user's private information. Once the verification is complete, the server and client then exchange encrypted data. This whole process is known as the SSL handshake and it takes place in milliseconds. It enables websites to display the green address bar text and/or the company name (only with an Organization Validated SSL). It also meets PCI/DSS requirements, a necessity for companies that accept credit cards online.
Website Security
Websites that collect confidential information from visitors, such as credit card numbers or home addresses, require an SSL certificate to prevent cyber criminals from intercepting this data. Even if your website doesn't collect this type of personal information, SSL is still an important security measure since it authenticates your site and shows that you are who you say you are. SSL certificates use encryption to scramble data into an unreadable format that can only be translated back to a readable form using a special key. The more complex the key, the more secure the encryption.
Browsers recognize SSL websites by the "s" in the URL and a padlock icon that appears in the address bar. However, this doesn't protect you from security risks such as SQL injection and other common malicious attacks that target websites and web applications. You will need to add additional protections such as firewalls and malware detection software to ensure your site's security.
SEO
SSL certificates help ensure that the data sent to a website is secure and that customers' personal information is not being intercepted by hackers. They also allow websites to display the padlock and https in the browser address bar. This creates a more trustworthy experience for visitors and can help boost a website's search engine rankings. SSL helps meet PCI/DSS requirements for companies that accept credit card payments online. Additionally, Google has officially announced that site security is a ranking factor.
Domain Validation SSL certificates are the cheapest and easiest to obtain. They are perfect for blogs and informational websites that do not collect data or involve online payments. This type of certificate only displays HTTPS and a padlock in the browser address bar and does not show your business's name.
Conclusion
An SSL certificate is the security protocol that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. It is a must for anyone who accepts credit cards or confidential information online. A SSL certificate contains verified information about a website including the domain name it is secured for, its issuer and public encryption key. When an SSL is installed, a padlock icon appears in the browser’s address bar and HTTPS is displayed instead of HTTP.
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