What is an SSL Certificate? (Hint: It has something to do with the S in HTTPS)
An SSL certificate is a secure digital document. It ensures that data and personal information are private and secure when an individual connects to the internet. An SSL certificate, also known as a Secure Sockets Layer Certificate, uses public key cryptography, ensuring that data can be encrypted only by the holder of a corresponding private key of the same length. This way, only those who have access to it can decrypt any data transmitted through the website.
Simply when you are browsing the internet, you come across something interesting on a website. In order to buy that particular item, you enter your financial details and place an order. Now all your details can be stolen by hackers. To prevent this data leak SSL is used.
Why is an SSL Certificate Important?
Earlier it was easy for someone to read the data entered into a website if they intercepted the message. For example, if a customer interacts with a website where they entered their credit card information, the data will be available across the internet unconcealed.
To solve this problem, SSL was created. It encrypts the data between a user and a particular website, ensuring that anyone from the outside when trying to intercept the data, must only see a mess of characters. It also authenticates the webserver to prevent hackers from tricking the customers by creating fake ones or from tempering with the data while in transit.
How SSL Certificates Work
How to tell if the website has SSL?
To find out whether the site is secure or not, notice that extra 's' when you browse any websites that require giving over sensitive information, like when you pay bills online. The extra ‘s’ means the site has a layer of protection and the data entered is secure and encrypted by SSL (Secure Socket Layer).
You will also see a padlock right next to the URL bar, on either left or right side of it depending on the browser. By clicking on the padlock, you can read more about the type of SSL certificate and what company is providing it.
It is always good to be sure as a site can display ‘s’ in the HTTPS and still have an expired certificate. Ensuring that the site has a valid certificate before entering a lot of personal information is always good for your own personal safety.
Benefits of Using SSL
With added security, many other benefits can be seen by SSL customers.
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Types of SSL Certificates
Extended Validation (EV) Certificates
EV Certificates are preferred by most online users because they come with the most comprehensive verification checking, which includes domain verification as well as crosschecks that tie the entity to a specific physical location. This type of verification leaves a detailed paper trail providing customers with recourse should fraud take place while transacting on that website. EV certificates are distinguished with a locked padlock, organization name, and sometimes the country ID in the web address bar in most major browsers.
Organization Validated (OV SSL) Certificate
This certificate verifies that your organization and domain validation are real. Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates offer a medium level of encryption and are obtained in two steps. First, the Central Authority (Certificates are processed by a CA, which is software designed specifically for running and granting these certificates.) would verify who owns the domain and if the organization is operating legally. On the browser, users would see a small green padlock with the company's name following. Use this type of certificate if you don't have the financial resources for an EV SSL but still want to offer a moderate level of encryption.
Domain Validated (DV) Certificates
A website secured with a DV certificate offers only a locked padlock in address bar, but does not show organization details because they do not exist. These certificates validate domain ownership only, can be acquired anonymously, and do not tie a domain to a person, place or entity. For this reason, many websites using DV certificates are linked to fraudulent activity.
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