SSL Certificate

Anyone who wants their customers to trust their website needs a Secure Sockets Layer or SSL Certificate. If the website address starts with HTTPS or has a padlock at the start, it’s a sign that users can trust that the website will secure their data.

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL Certificate is a digital certificate that demonstrates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection. It’s essential for websites to have SSL Certificates to secure online transactions and keep customer data private and secure.

Most simply put, an SSL keeps internet connection secure and prevents criminal from reading or changing information transferred between systems.

Still not sure what an SSL Certificate is? Contact us on [email protected] or 01903 372 402 for assistance.

How do SSL Certificates work?

They work by ensuring that data transferred between users and websites is impossible to read. It scrambles data using encryption algorithms which prevents criminals from accessing it as it’s transmitted.

It works in this manner:

1. A user attempts to connect to an SSL secured website.
2. The user’s server demands that the web server identifies itself.
3. In response, a copy of the SSL Certificate is sent.
4. The user’s server checks that it trusts the SSL Certificate. If it does, it lets the web server know.
5. The web server returns a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session, and data is shared.

This is sometimes known as an SSL handshake and takes milliseconds.

How to view an SSL Certificate?

It’s possible to view an SSL Certificate by clicking on the padlock symbol in the browser bar. Details included are:

• The domain name the SSL Certificate was issued for
• Which person, organisation or device it was issued to
• Who it was issued by and their digital signature
• Associated subdomains
• Issue date
• Expiry date
• Public key

This gives website users confidence that they can trust your website.

Why you need an SSL Certificate

There are multiple reasons why a website needs an SSL Certificate:

• To keep user data secure
• Verify ownership of the website
• Prevent criminals from creating fake copies of the site
• It conveys trust to users

It secures information such as:

• Login information
• Credit card or bank account information
• Personal data
• Legal documents and contracts
• Medical records
• Proprietary information

Types of SSL Certificates

There are six main types, all with different validation levels:

1. Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL): highest ranking and most expensive. Used for high profile websites which collect data and online payments. Owners must verify identity to prove exclusive rights to the domain and it’s displayed in the address bar.
2. Organisation Validated Certificates (OV SSL): second most expensive and primary use is to encrypt users’ data during transactions. Owners must verify identity to prove exclusive rights to the domain and it’s displayed in the address bar.
3. Domain Validated Certificates (DV SSL): minimal validation and so lower assurance and minimal encryption. Typically used for blogs.
4. Wildcard SSL Certificates: used for multiple sub-domains and cheaper than individual SSL Certificates.
5. Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC): used to secure multiple domains and sub-domains.
6. Unified Communications Certificates (UCC): again used for multiple domains on a single certificate.

Unsure which certificate you need or how to apply? Demystify Digital can help! Contact us on [email protected] or 01903 372 402 for assistance.