What is an SSL Certificate? Benefits and Types
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate used to authenticate a website to visitors. It encrypts information between the website and the visitor’s browser, ensuring that all data remains private and secure.
SSL certificates are issued by what is known as Certificate Authorities (CAs). These are companies that have been vetted by browser vendors and are trusted to issue valid certificates.
When a website owner purchases an SSL certificate, they are required to provide the CA with information about their website and company. The CA then verifies this information and issues the certificate.
Once a website has an SSL certificate, visitors to the site will see a green padlock icon in their browser’s address bar. This lets them know that the site is secure and that their information will remain private.
If you’re running a website, especially one that collects sensitive information from users, then you need to have an SSL certificate. It’s the best way to ensure that your site remains secure and your users’ private data remains.
A common security mechanism on the Internet is the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate, which is used to encrypt data sent back and forth between network users.
This happens every time someone shops online, enters their information on a landing page or engages in any other common online behaviours.
Cryptography changes information into codes that are only understandable by the persons participating in the process. Thus, even if outside parties intercept the information, they will not be able to comprehend it, protecting both the website and the users from potential hacker assaults. In this way, the user’s ability to obtain a reliable and secure experience depends on the SSL certificate.
They’ll search for it as well. Suppose the abbreviation HTTP, which comes at the beginning of the URL, has the letter S at the end, making HTTPS. In that case, Internet users may readily determine whether or not a website has the certificate.
The search box for websites with SSL certificates also shows a padlock.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are three types of SSL certificates:
- Domain Validated SSL Certificates (DV SSL)
- Organization Validated SSL Certificates (OV SSL)
- Extended Validation SSL Certificates (EV SSL)
- Wildcard SSL Certificates
- Unified Communications (UCC) SSL Certificate
- Single Domain SSL Certificate
Domain Validated SSL Certificates
Domain Validated SSL Certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificate. They verify that you own the domain but don’t verify your company’s identity.
Organization Validated SSL Certificates
Organization Validated SSL Certificates verify your company’s identity. They provide more trust than DV SSL Certificates because the Certificate Authority verifies your organization’s information.
Extended Validation SSL Certificates
Extended Validation SSL Certificates are the most trusted type of SSL certificate. They verify your company’s identity and provide a green bar in the browser to show that your site is trustworthy.
Wildcard SSL certificate
The Wildcard SSL certificate is a particularly significant choice if you have a lot of subdomains. This is so that you may use the same certificate for the domain and the subdomains with this sort of SSL.
Let’s use the domain mysite.com as an example. You can protect subdomains like blog.mysite.com and mail.mysite.com if you purchase a Wildcard SSL. That’s accurate. Three birds are struck with one stone.
This makes using this kind of SSL a far more cost-effective alternative than purchasing several SSL certificates to protect all of your domains and subdomains.
Multi-domain certificates
Multi-domain certificates are another name for Unified Communication Certificates (UCCs).
The explanation for this moniker is straightforward: this kind of certificate enables the simultaneous inclusion of up to 100 domains, enhancing communication between browsers and servers.
The UCC employs a padlock in the address bar, like previous forms, to indicate that the domain is secure. Additionally, it may be set up to function as an EV SSL, showing the green padlock rather than the standard one.
Single Domain SSL certificate
The simplest SSL certificate format is this one. A Single Domain SSL certificate only protects one domain; it does not protect any subdomains or additional websites that you may own.
This is a choice for less effective digital initiatives.
If you’re looking to secure your website with an SSL certificate, you have a few different options to choose from. The type of certificate you need will depend on your website’s purpose and your business’s needs.
If you’re looking to secure your website and don’t need to verify your company’s identity, a Domain Validated SSL Certificate will suffice. An Organization Validated SSL Certificate is a good option if you want to secure your website and verify your company’s identity. If you want to secure your website and provide the highest level of trust to your visitors, an Extended Validation SSL Certificate is the best option.
How does SSL Certificate work?
Every information a user provides when using a website is encrypted and can only be decrypted by someone with the right key. Two keys are produced in this instance, one of which is retained by the user and the other by the host server.
So, let’s say a user decides to buy anything from your website and enters sensitive data like credit card details. Without the encryption key, it will be impossible for a hacker to access a user’s message, even if they intercept it before it reaches the server. SSL offers a very significant function for the user in addition to encrypting those communications.
Benefits of using SSL Certificates
Whether it be in B2B or B2C trade, people are becoming more concerned about digital security. This occurs as a result of a situation in which Internet-based activities become more complicated, resulting in a significant flow of sensitive and personal data. It is understandable why laws governing user data use, such as the GDPR, have been put into effect globally.
Legislative bodies are aware of the importance of digital security and are working to find ways to compel businesses to prioritise providing secure experiences for their customers.
Customers who pay attention to the news also become more demanding. They ought to be, too! After all, the dangers posed by malware and hackers continued to increase despite all the precautions taken to ensure the security of digital experiences. One of the best benefits of using an SSL certificate on your website is credibility and rank on search engines. Google has confirmed that it would prefer SSL-security as a ranking factor.
You already have a good reason to invest in SSL certificates if the number of risks on the Internet is expanding and customers are placing higher importance on their personal security.
With the help of these capabilities, your website visitors will feel as though they are browsing a secure environment where they can read your material and make transactions without fear of malware infections or data breaches.
Additionally, SSL safeguards your personal info. For instance, if you use a marketing content management system (CMS), its databases are likely where you keep the material and data relevant to your campaigns.
Conclusion
In order to safeguard your company’s data and guarantee consumers have safe experiences, SSL certificates must be used. Therefore, SSL is an essential component for all forms of digital strategy, from blogging to e-commerce.
The user must feel secure while transacting, downloading a file, or using digital material. For this reason, any firm that wishes to provide customers with worthwhile experiences must invest in website security. It is now necessary to obtain an SSL Certificate.