What are SSL Certificates?
SSL is an abbreviation of the term “Secure Sockets Layer”, the latest development in internet security technology which is aimed to protect the exchange of information between a website (host) and a web browser (client) by establishing an encrypted connection between them.
In a world where identity and information theft is on the rise, the importance of having a SSL certificate has never been of more importance to online businesses and websites. Hackers are always on the prowl to steal any or all private information of individuals and companies such as their name, phone number, credit card information and address. Having a SSL certificate means that all the information being shared remains private and confidential and is only known to the client and the business.
Importance of Using SSL Certificates
SSL certificates are not a mindless invention and have been developed with a purpose in mind; the purpose of ensuring safe online communication between a website and its user. Now that we know what a SSL certificate is and how it functions, let’s take a look at some of its chief features and the reason why many websites are looking to incorporate it into their plans;
Encrypted Connection
As discussed above, having a SSL certificate ensures an encrypted connection between a website and its visitors so that the information being shared remains private and confidential. Many e-commerce websites such as Amazon and EBay see a large amount of traffic on a daily basis. Many visitors who make purchases are required to enter their personal information such as home or office address and credit card information. Having a SSL certificate scrambles the information being transmitted from the user to the website in such a way that it is incomprehensible. This makes it impossible for an unauthorized party to read it in case of a security lapse and minimizing any attempts of “phishing”.
To Conduct Online Transactions
Sticking to the example of e-commerce websites, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) has established a set of rules and regulations which requires a website to have an active SSL certificate in order to accept credit card payments. It requires the e-commerce websites to implement a 128-bit encryption process, have a SSL certificate from a trusted source and make sure that private connection is established before prompting the customer to enter any personal information. So, if you are planning to launch a website which has some online payment feature, getting a SSL certificate should be your first priority.
Customer Trust
Having a SSL certificate also serves as a stamp of approval for many parties who are weary of handing out their personal information. A site having SSL encryption can go a long way in gaining the trust and assurance of prospective customers and can help minimize the risk of their information falling into the wrong hands.
How to Know if a Website is Using a SSL Certificate?
There are several ways to know whether a website has an active SSL certificate or not. Some of the ways of knowing or checking whether a website has one or not includes;
- Having “https” in the address bar.
- Having a “lock icon” in the address of the website.
- They proudly display it.
- Use a SSL certificate checker such as https://www.sslchecker.com/sslchecker.
