When making a website, you have to know all the security features you should have when doing it. SSL is a security feature, and you need to have one on your website, especially if you hold any information related to your site members or vital information such as banking data. SSL meaning is Secure Sockets Layer. It is a security technology that creates an encrypted link between a server and a client. A server here means a website; the client can be a browser, a mail server, or a mail client such as Outlook.
What Is SSL?
What is an SSL, SSL encryption? SSL is a security technology. It is a protocol for servers and web browsers that ensures that data transmitted between the two is private. This is done using an encrypted connection that connects the server and browser, search engine Google.
SSL certificates are small data files that create a cryptographically encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This connection ensures that all data transmitted between the web server and the browser remains private. Let’s say you have a form to fill out and submit; a hacker could intercept the information you entered on an unsafe website.
How Does SSL Work?
SSL carries high importance because it provides secure transmission of sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials. If a website has a membership option, it means that the website carries the information of its members. So, it is important to check if the website has an SSL when signing in for a website. Yet, how can you know if a website has SSL? It is pretty easy to see. When you take a look at the address bar, you will see that it writes ‘https.’ This means that the website has SSL. If you only see ‘http,’ it means that the website does not have one.
What happens if the website does not have SSL? The data is sent between browsers and servers in plain text. It means that the information is clearly visible. So, without a Security Sockets Layer, a malicious hacker can see the information being sent between the server and the client, get it, and use it for malicious purposes.
Of course, SSL is not just a security software that protects the data on your website. It is also a security protocol. A protocol describes how the algorithms in their area should be applied. In this case, the SSL security protocol determines the encryption of both the connection and the data being transmitted.
Why Is SSL Important?
As we have stated before, it is important because it secures the transmission of sensitive information. Every day, thanks to SSL, millions of people make online transactions without a problem. We have mentioned that it is important for banks. For example, when making a money transaction, you enter valuable information such as your credit card number, account number, etc. The same thing can be said for online shopping as well. You may not be aware of it, but your information could have ended in the wrong hands if it wasn’t an SSL security protocol.
All browsers are suitable to work with an SSL. However, not all servers (websites) have it. If you want your website to secure the information inside, learn how to get an SSL certificate.
What Is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate is a certificate you need to secure your website. It is installed on the hosting that your website is on, in other words, your server. After you get a certificate, your website that is working on the HTTP protocol will start to work on a more secure protocol, which is HTTPS. SSL protocol transmits the data between the server and the client provided by 128-bit or 256-bit international standards. However, when buying an SSL certificate, you should keep in mind that they don’t provide security for all of your website or software. So, it only provides security for the data your visitors upload to your website, which means that the connection is secured.
There are three types of SSL validation certificates: Domain Validation Certificates, Organization Validation Certificates, and Extended Validation Certificates.
Domain Validation Certificate
It is an SSL certificate that provides 2048-bit encryption for websites. Domain Validation Certificate (DV) is also known as the Standard SSL Certification. It does not require a document when getting it. You can also find free domain validation certificates as well. You only need to prove that you have control of your domain name. It is the most basic certification type. When you get this certificate, you can see the green padlock sign on your website’s address bar. It shows that the website is secure.
Organization Validation Certificate
Organization Validation Certificate is the type of certificate that only registers companies and businesses that are legally accountable. In order to get this certificate, you need more than proof of your control over the domain name. You also have to prove that your company or business is registered legally. This certificate is suitable for businesses that collect data from the public. It is called an Organization Validation Certificate (OV) because individuals cannot get this certificate. Only businesses and organizations are allowed to have it.
Extended Validation Certificate
These certificates protect users from handing out their data to fake websites that malicious people can own. They are also known as EV Certificates. When visiting a website with an EV Certificate, a green address bar shows that the website has the maximum amount of data security and builds trust for visitors. To get this type of certificate, you need to meet the requirements for both the DV and OV Certificates. So, it is only available for organizations and businesses.
Types of SSL Certificates
Another factor that will affect the type of SSL certificate you choose is the number of SSL certificates required for the number of domains. The four different types of certificates are listed below.
Wildcard SSL Certificate
Wildcard SSL certificates protect your website URL and numerous subdomains. This certificate type protects subdomains at your specified level. Simply add an asterisk in the subdomain field to the left of the common name. Wildcard certificates secure the website like regular SSL certificates.
Unified Communications SSL Certificate
Unified Communications SSL certificates are the fastest SSL security solution. Companies using Microsoft Exchange and OCS will secure up to 100 domains and subdomains, three domains by default, by verifying company information with a single SSL certificate.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificate
Multi-Domain SSL; It is a special type of SSL certificate you can use on multiple websites. You can verify all the domain names you own with a single certificate and secure all your domain names from a single place by defining SSL. Using Multi-Domain SSL saves money and time without buying SSL certificates for each domain name separately.
Single Domain SSL Certificate
Single Domain SSL protects a domain name. Don’t forget that you cannot use it to safeguard subdomains or a completely different environment.
Conclusion
We have covered what SSL is and why it carries such importance for websites, especially with membership and data collecting. We have also included what an SSL certificate is and mentioned the three types of certificates. Each certificate has different purposes and can be used by certain owners.
3 Comments
SSL certificates are essential for secure online communication. They provide encryption and authentication, making sure data is kept safe. However, they can be difficult to set up and manage. My suggestion is to use a trusted provider to ensure your SSL certificate is installed correctly.
This was a clear and concise explanation of SSL and its importance for online security. The breakdown of different SSL certificate types was especially helpful. It’s great to know how each type provides different levels of security for websites.
Excellent article! I appreciated the detailed discussion on the various SSL certificates and their uses. Understanding these can really help in making informed decisions about website security. Thanks for demystifying SSL for those of us who aren’t tech experts!