SSL and SSL Certificates – Everything You Need to Know

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If you are new to the term SSL Certificate and wondering what it is all about, you have come to the right place.

More and more website owners are installing SSL certificates on their websites for internet security and because Google is making it mandatory by offering the high ranking to your site search engines when you install it. Thus, there is so much rave about the acronym SSL and SSL certificate.

This article will help you understand SSL and SSL certificates and give you additional insightful information on SSL.

Why is SSL so important? Where would you install an SSL Certificate? And the types of SSL certificates – just about everything will be answered in this article.

Let’s get started!

About SSL and SSL certificate?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol that can secure and encrypt communication between the server and the browser. You might have even seen it without realizing it.

Image source

If you browse the internet using Chrome or Firefox, you will notice a little green padlock and the word “Secure” at the address bar of your computer, next to the URL. When you browse using Safari, the padlock displayed will be grey in color. The lock provides a sign of trust that the data exchanged in your site is encrypted using SSL.

In order to avail that security, you need to install an SSL certificate. When you install it on your server, application, HTTP will turn into HTTPs. The ‘S’ here duly stands for ‘secure.’

Why is SSL so important?

SSL certificate is more than a security standard. It has other benefits as well.

  • First, it ensures data security between the browser and the server.
  • SSL helps in getting assurance of visitors and customers.
  • If you have an HTTPS website, it will experience a ranking boost. Aresearch that analyzed 1 million search results concluded that HTTPS can give you higher rankings on Google’s search engine.
  • In case you own an ecommerce store, an SSL certificate can boost your conversions as more shoppers will come to you when they can safely make a purchase. In a study made by Symantec, it was revealed that SSL helps to boost conversions on site by 18-87%.
  • An SSL certificate can enhance website’s brand reputation. You can assure customers that you are more concerned with their security.

Can SSL secure a webpage or whole website?

You can use an SSL certificate wherever you want to pass on information securely.

For instance, an SSL certificate helps you secure as shown in below image:

Types of SSL certificates

Here are the six types of certificates explained:

  1. Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL)

It provides the highest security and is the most expensive SSL certificate type. When you use EV SSL certificate, you will get features including a padlock. Your business name, HTTPS, and the country will also be displayed on the address bar of your browser.

When you display your information in the address bar, your website visitors will be able to identify that your site is secure right away.

To set up this certificate, you will have to go through a standardized identity verification process carried out by the certificate authority. By going through the verification, it confirms that the business is legally authorized to use the domain along with verified business.

If you own a high-profile website like financial or banking website or you are using an application that needs identity assurance like collecting data or online payments, the EV SSL certificate is recommended.

  1. Organization Validated Certificates (OV SSL)

You can encrypt the user’s sensitive information during transactions with this certificate. It not only provides a high assurance but also strengthens your business’ credibility.

Moreover, it is the second highest in price and mostly used by commercial or public-facing websites as it secures the customer information shared.

To set this up, you will be required to complete a substantial validation process. A Certificate Authority (CA) will inspect you to verify whether you have the right to the domain name. Once SSL is installed, it will display the padlock in the browser address bar.

  1. Domain Validated Certificates (DV SSL)

It offers a low assurance and 256-bit encryption and is suitable for blogs or informational websites. The validation process is simple and does not require validation of business documents. You will be asked to only prove domain ownership.

For that, you will have to respond to an email or phone call. It falls under the least expensive certificates and fastest to obtain as well. By installing this certificate, you will obtain an HTTPS and a padlock.

  1. Wildcard SSL Certificates

A Wildcard SSL certificateis ideal for main domain and its unlimited first level of subdomains. It will be cheaper to buy this certificate than buying several single-domain SSL certificates. This certificate carries an asterisk (*) before main domain name and allows to secure unlimited subdomains.

  1. Multi-Domain SSL Certificates

This certificate is cost-effective and can be used to protect over different domain and sub domains. You can manage the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) field by adding, deleting or changing the SANs during certificate life span.  Another advantage of this certificate is that you won’t need a different dedicated IP addresses for the hostnames.

  1. Unified Communications Certificates (UCC)

UCC or Unified Communication Certificate is ideal for Microsoft Exchange services like owa, Autodiscover, mail, etc.However, many enterprises are taking advantage of this certificate for securing multiple domains and sub domains. After you install this certificate, your browser will display a padlock.

Winding-Up

With website hacking taking place on a large scale, you should not overlook internet security. Just as you lock your doors when you go out, protecting your website is equally important.

An SSL certificate can bring you security like no other while building trust, brand image, boosting SEO, and driving sales.

Hopefully, your doubt about SSL has been cleared through this article. Implement it today on your site to reap the huge benefits. Many sites have already secured their information. You will be lagging and lose customer trust if you don’t act now.

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