I’m sure you too have shared your personal data and made more than one purchase on the Internet. Today we are in the information age, so everything we used to do in person is now done online. For this reason, it is important to provide the user with confidence in the transactions made over the Internet.
If you are interested in knowing more, in this article we will talk about what an SSL certificate is, its importance and how it works. Take note!
What is an SSL certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and enables an encrypted connection. It is a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser.
Businesses and organizations should add SSL certificates to their Web sites to protect online transactions and maintain the privacy and security of customer information.
The SSL certificate keeps Internet connections secure and prevents criminals from reading or modifying information transferred between two systems. Have you ever seen a padlock next to the URL in the address bar? When you see that icon, it means that there is an SSL certificate protecting the website you are visiting.
The importance of an SSL certificate
As we said before, by having an SSL certificate, we can assume that the user’s data is encrypted. No one can read your information over the Internet. It is a way to tell your users that the site is authentic, real and reliable.
On the other hand, since 2017 it is necessary to have an SSL certificate by Google, all websites that collect user data, whatever type they are and that do not have an SSL certificate, will show a warning to the user that the website they are accessing may not be secure, creating a sense of insecurity in the user. And that’s what we do not want!
How do SSL certificates work?
SSL certificates work by ensuring that data transferred between users and websites, or between two systems, is impossible to read.
The process works as follows:
- A connection is established between the client and the server, they negotiate the strongest encryption technology they can offer, depending on that technology they choose optimized algorithms to achieve the highest possible security.
- The server sends its certificate to verify that its identity is true. The user’s browser checks that the certificate is supported by a certification authority and confirms its authenticity and validity.
- Once the validity and integrity of the certificate has been verified, an exchange of keys takes place between the server and the client so that the messages between the two are encrypted using symmetric encryption, for which the client must choose a random key for the session and then send it to the server securely, thus ensuring that only the server itself can decrypt the key.
- The client and server communicate by encrypting the messages with the symmetric key generated by the client, achieving total security in transmissions.
lthough it may seem a long process, it takes milliseconds.
When a website is protected by an SSL certificate, the acronym HTTPS (which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) appears in the URL. Without an SSL certificate, only the letters HTTP will appear, that is, without the S for “secure”. A lock icon will also be displayed in the URL bar. This indicates that it is a trustworthy website.
Main advantages of using an SSL certificate
- The green padlock: If you have a valid SSL certificate, a green padlock will appear next to the URL indicating that your site is secure.
- Security when sending data: By traveling all information encrypted, it is guaranteed that an attacker will not be able to see the information between the user and the server, ensuring that the data sent by the user will be protected.
- Google loves HTTPS: Google takes into account the web pages that use SSL certificate, rewarding them with a better SEO positioning.
- Customers calm and secure: As our customers know that we have SSL certificate, they will not have to worry about the security of the site.
- More protection against cyber attacks: With the HTTPS protocol you are hardening the protective shield of your website, preventing spammers from reading confidential communications.
- Increases the number of sales: Knowing that your users are safe, they are more likely to buy on our website.
- Encryption and proper functioning of Widgets: Certain widgets and third-party utilities require an SSL certificate for proper operation.
- Legitimize your website: By having an SSL certificate, you get an independent entity to certify your website.
How to tell if a site has an SSL certificate
The easiest ways to see if a site has an SSL certificate are as follows:
- If the URL starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP, it means the site is secured by an SSL certificate.
- Secure sites display a closed padlock badge, which you can click to see security details; more trusted sites will have green padlocks or address bars.
- Browsers also display warning signs when a connection is not secure, such as a red padlock, a padlock that is not closed, a line through the website address, or a warning triangle on top of the padlock emblem.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity risks continue to grow, so you need to know how to distinguish a secure site from a potentially dangerous one.
Now that you know what SSL certificates are and how they work, what do you think about them?
If you don’t already have an SSL certificate, now is the time! This will help users feel secure when browsing your website.