SSL certificate: what is it and why is it needed

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SSL certificate: what is it and why is it needed

10.01.2023, 00:18

This article will be useful if you want to understand what an SSL certificate is and why to purchase it.

What is an SSL certificate and how did it appear?

To explain how an SSL certificate works and what it gives, let's briefly return to the recent past of web technologies.

Once, in order for the site and the user's computer to exchange data, the HTTP protocol was created — a special set of rules for "communication" of servers. The information is transmitted over the HTTP protocol in unencrypted form. This may be unsafe if users enter their data on the site, which should not be accessed by intruders. For example, a customer of an online store makes a purchase and enters a bank card number. If HTTP is used on the site, an outsider can intercept the data and use it.

To solve the problem, we have developed a new protocol — HTTPS. SSL cryptographic technology has been added to it. Thanks to it, all the data transmitted is encrypted, and even if an attacker intercepts it, he will not be able to use it, but will receive only gibberish.

Why do I need an SSL certificate for a website

An SSL certificate is needed so that users are confident in the reliability of encryption. It is like a "certificate" that confirms the security of the site. The presence of an SSL certificate is a mandatory standard.Certification centers that make certificates are responsible for compliance with the technology. They undertake that no one will hack the messages between the site and the user's computer.

Another protection that the SSL certificate gives is the confirmation of the authenticity of the site. The certification center verifies all applications for the issuance of certificates that are received. This can be an automatic check that the customer has access to the domain or a manual check of the organization up to a call to the company. The type of verification affects the cost of the certificate and the higher its reliability is valued. You can find out more about the types of verification on the "SSL certificates" page.

Technically, nothing prevents you from issuing an SSL certificate yourself, without certifying centers and checks. Such certificates are called self-signed or self-issued. They also work and provide encryption. But this is not the best solution: the fact is that self-signed certificates are not trusted by browsers.

When a visitor opens the site, the browser checks the SSL certificate: it looks at which certification authority issued it, checks the expiration date. If everything is in order, the visitor sees a closed lock in the address bar.

This is what the address bar looks like in the Chrome browser, if the SSL certificate on the site is OK

If the certificate is self-signed, issued by an unreliable organization, expired, expired or not installed, the browser will show an alarm message and may even close the user's access to the site. Search engines also lower sites with unreliable certificates in the output.

We recommend installing an SSL certificate in any projects and even in small personal blogs. Yes, HTTPS encryption is not necessary where visitors only read content and do not enter data. However, with an SSL certificate, the site's SEO positions will improve, and visitors will not be confused by warnings from the security system.

In addition, installing a simple SSL certificate from a reliable certification authority is not so inexpensive and will take a couple of minutes. If you manage sites through ispmanager, it's even easier — free SSL certificates can be installed on the site automatically and without restrictions.

And for sites where users enter passwords, make a purchase, leave their personal data, a reliable SSL certificate is required. All types of certificates can be selected on our website.

{Select SSL Certificate} - link to the SSL Certificates page

SSL certificate: what is it and why is it needed

What is an SSL certificate and how did it appear?

Why do I need an SSL certificate for a website

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