SSL is a shorthand in the form of a Secure Socket Layer. It is a protocol for security that transmits your information through the Internet with encryption. SSL encryption is used commonly by eCommerce websites to secure sensitive data such as credit card numbers as well as personal information. SSL certificates ensure that the information is sent to the server to be used for the purpose it was designed and is not in the hands of third-party users who may alter the information. You can identify websites with SSL certificates by the SSL certificate with the URL HTTPS instead of the non-secure HTTP.

Yes. SSL is a must for all businesses that operate online. It helps protect the user’s passwords, web forms as well as online transactions from unwanted data snooping. If you operate a media platform that doesn’t collect any information from users, HTTPS will minimize the risk of ads injecting and the tampering of websites. In accordance with Google’s announcement HTTPS is now nearly mandatory for all websites as browsers have begun to mark the website as not secure. Even Google is urging HTTPS on nearly every website to ensure visitors have a safe environment. So, an SSL certificate is a fundamental necessity to secure the customer’s data, increase sales on the internet, and increase the position of search engine rankings.

SSL/TLS connections are formed when a browser attempts to access a website that is powered by SSL/TLS. This sequence is known as SSL/TLS Handshake. This secure connection established by the SSL/TLS handshake allows the client that is used by the user (e.g., or a web browser) as well as a webserver to create secure connections through the exchange of secret keys that encrypt and decrypt the communication. The SSL/TLS handshake happens immediately and is not visible to the end-user. Here’s a complete explanation of how SSL/TLS functions:

1. When a browser tries to access a website (webserver) it first asks the server to authenticate itself.
2. Then the webserver will send an electronic copy of the SSL/TLS certificate as well as the public key.
3. During the handshake SSL/TLS the browser validates the authenticity that is in the SSL certificate. Also, it validates the site properly by verifying the name of the website and comparing it to what the website is connected to.
4. SSL certificate is made up of the private key and public key, which manage encryption and decryption in the SSL/TLS handshake that allows for encrypted communication. After the browser has verified that it is trustworthy and trusted, a third key, referred to as a “session key” is generated by the browser with its server’s private key.
5. After that, the session key is transmitted through the servers. This session key can be described as an asymmetric one which is a highly effective method of encryption that allows for rapid communications.
6. The server decrypts the received session key, and then sends an email with the session key encrypted.
7. Finally it is encrypted and a secure connection is created between the user (e.g. or a web browser) and the webserver at the conclusion in the process of a handshake. They can now connect in a safe environment by using the session keys provided. The typical handshake for SSL/TLS takes less than 1 second.

Beginning on 9/1/2019, SSL/TLS certificates will not be issued for more than thirteen months (397 days). Any SSL certificate purchased following this date will be issued with the new length of time applied and certificates purchased prior to this date are grandfathered in.

There are three kinds of SSL certificates. We provide them all. Each one has different degrees of security. Understanding the kind of SSL certificate is essential for any transaction that involves the personal data of the user. Domain verified (DV) SSL certificate. The DV certificate confirms the identity of the owner of the website. It is the Certificate Authority that sends an email to the valid email address so that it can confirm its authenticity. The certificate does not contain any specific details regarding the business required. In addition, the DV Certificate has the distinction of being the simplest to obtain and therefore has the lowest degree of confidence. Organizationally validated (OV) SSL certificate. This Certificate Authority is required to verify the identity of the company, its physical address, and the domain name of the site. The process can take between 2 and 3 days. The certificates of OV have a moderate degree of trust and can be used on public websites that use low-level transactions. Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate. It can be described as the SSL certificate that has the highest security and is the best choice for websites dealing with sensitive data. Before the issue of the EV SSL certificate, The Certificate Authority thoroughly reviews the applicant. The process includes the review of documents from the company, verification of identity, as well as verification of pertinent information using a third-party database.

After you’ve purchased the SSL Certificate, you’ll need to accept the certificate. There are several levels of verification required before it’s issued; however if we take the example of Domain SSL, it is possible to issue the certificate immediately. Domain SSL can be issued in a matter of minutes after the owner of the domain confirms the email address of his/her domain owner. This is done by the SSL issuer; the issuer sends an automated email to one of a pre-determined set of email addresses such as [email protected]. If your hosting is shared the hosting provider can assist you in the way it manages the server. They’ll set everything up for you after you’ve signed the certificate.