So, just heard about SSL certificates and heard that they are important. Right?
If so, you came to the right place to know every important piece of information about SSL certificates. If you have noticed that some sites’ URL starts with HTTP while others start with HTTPS, you are already an edge closer to the depth of SSL Certificate.
So, let’s start from the nitty-gritty and understand it completely:
What are SSL Certificates?
Before going towards certificates, you must know what exactly SSL is. SSL (secure socket layer) is a security protocol that creates encryption through a secure link to connect a web browser to a web server.
If a website has a URL with HTTPS instead of HTTP, it means that this website is secured with SSL or TLS (transport layer security).
And when you have an SSL certificate, the traffic of your site will know that their information will be safe on your website or server if they add it to maybe buy something from your website.
Almost every legit business in the world has this SSL certificate to not just show its potential client that their data is secure but to actually make it secure.
6 Types of SSL Certificates
From here, if you go straight to buy an SSL certificate, you will get confused because there are six types of SSL certificates:
- Multi-Domain SSL Certificate (MDC): MDC is used by those big businesses that have different sites with the same domain but different TLDs and want to secure them with one (single) link.
- Wildcard SSL Certificates: These helps you secure your main domain and sub-domains (like payment.yourdomain.com and login.yourdomain.com) under one certificate.
- Unified Communications Certificate (UCC): Want to secure multiple domains under one certificate? Use UCC!
- Domain Validated certificates (DV SSL): This is only used for blogs or informational sites.
- Extended Validation certificates (EV SSL): Most expensive and valuable certificate is only used by gigantic and worldwide businesses.
- Organization Validated certificates (OV SSL): As evident from the name, it’s used by big government or private organizations for extra safety.
How Do SSL Certificates Work?
SSL is a complete system!
Your customer knows that your website is secure because its URL starts with HTTPS. But how is it secure when there are tons of hackers and cyber thieves ready to steal that data?
Now, the thing SSL does is create a secure and encrypted link that is actually a pathway through which the information of your client will pass and (only) you can receive.
For example, you run an eCommerce site, and your customer adds his personal information, including his home address and ID number. If you don’t use an SSL certificate, hackers and cyber thieves might read that info even before you.
Why Do You Need the SSL Certificate?
These are some of the main reasons why websites use SSL certificates:
(if you find yourself relatable while reading any of them, you need an SSL certificate)
Security
HTTPS is not just an indication that a certain site is secure. It actually saves you and your client from cybercrimes like man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
Reputation:
Many businesses might not accept it, but this is the primary reason for using an SSL certificate. It’s like a badge that’ll show that your website is secure.
Most businesses don’t really care about the data of visitors. They just want to mark themselves as reliable. It’s because customers don’t buy from somewhere until they trust the seller, and this research shows it.
SEO:
Here you might say be thinking, “how is SSL connected with SEO?” Well, it isn’t connected directly. But Google warns every person while visiting a site without an SSL certificate and tells him that it’s “insecure.” And we all know that everyone believes that Google is always right. So, indirectly, it’s affecting your site’s SEO.
When Do You Need the SSL Certificate?
Right now is the best time to go for an SSL certificate!
You don’t need to get for SSL certificate right away, especially if you start a blog. In fact, blogging doesn’t really require it.
Well, there are even some businesses that don’t use it and go for services like PayPal for purchasing. But here, the problem is that most customers will not trust you as an SSL certificate has become a representation of trust.
So, if you want to run long, go for it right now!
How to Get the SSL Certificate?
Here’s the easiest way to obtain an SSL certificate:
- Prepare the Server: Firstly, you need to prepare your site’s server by doing certain things, like making sure that your WHOIS record is up-to-date. Moreover, you also need to submit your info (from WHOIS) to Certificate Authority so tally information like name and address.
- CSR Time: Now generate the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) on your server with the help of your web host.
- Submission: Submit all this, along with your info which is talked about in the first step, to Certificate Authority and wait for them to validate. If there is any problem, do what they say.
- Boom!: Now, install the certificate to your site just like they say, and you are good to go.
Bottom Line
Although it’s quite a technical topic, we tried to keep it simple by using easy terms and wordings. But if you still get confused somewhere, you can ask your queries!
Guide to Buying an Expired Domain Name
Yes!
There are many domain registrars, web hosts, and website-related companies that offer free SSL certificates. But beware of most of them as they are mostly scammers and can steal your information. But there are also some reliable companies that offer SSL certificates, like Cloudflare.
This question requires a long answer but long story short, you can use a free SSL certificate for basic blogging and stuff that doesn’t include financial information. But for businesses going free, one is compromising on security as free ones don’t perform that well. Moreover, while buying for free, always choose a reliable seller, as most of them in this field are scammers.