How does SSL work?
SSL is needed to protect most websites from possible security breaches.
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a way to encrypt information that website visitors share with your website and is used for ecommerce and other types of private browsing.
Have you ever wondered how SSL works? When information is sent to or from your website, SSL encrypts it so that no one else can read it except for the server it is being sent to. SSL keeps hackers and cyber-criminals from seeing private information like credit card and banking information, even social media postings.
In addition to encryption of data, SSL also verifies that a site is who it says it is. A hacker may try to pose as your site to get access to the data your customers are entering, but without the proper SSL certificate identifying the hacker as your site, your browser and your visitors’ browsers can recognize the intrusion and prevent data from being shared.
Why Your Site Needs SSL
Sites get an SSL certificate so that visitors and others know that their information will be protected. When an SSL certificate is being used, the browser receives the information and displays a lock symbol in the browser window. Secure sites have URLs that begin with “https” to signify their status as a secure site.
Many different types of websites can benefit from having an SSL certificate on their site. For ecommerce sites, SSL is a necessity to keep customers’ personal financial information encrypted so that it can’t be accessed by anyone not authorized. But other sites may also deal with personal information, such as email subscription lists, lead generation forms with addresses and phone numbers, and online forums where commenters must log in to comment.
Nearly any business today has confidentiality needs that may require them to encrypt data on their site. Depending on the security needs of your site, the cost of getting an SSL certificate will vary. There are also different kinds of SSL certificates to be aware of.
Keep your customers’ private data secure with SSL certificates.
Self-signed vs. Authority-signed
Self-signed certificates may seem like a good idea at first. They can be obtained for free using software like Open SSL and other similar programs. Self-signed certificates still provide encryption, but they aren’t authenticated like authority-signed certificates are.
Self-signed SSL certificates are used for shared services on servers to provide encryption in bulk/mass.
When a website has used a self-signed SSL certificate, a warning will pop up that lets visitors know that the certificate has not been verified by an authorized third party. This warning may frighten away customers because they can’t be sure that everything is really secure on your site.
Authority-signed SSL certificates have a yearly cost associated with them, but the fee is typically modest unless your site is overly large or needs additional protections. An authority-signed certificate also comes with a warranty in most cases, which means if the site is compromised, you will be paid for the damage caused up to a certain amount.