What is an SSL Certificate?
SSL Certificate, standing for Secure Sockets Layer Certificate, is a digital certificate that plays a crucial role in internet security. It is essentially a bit of code on the server that provides security for online communications. When a web browser contacts a secure site (one that is secured with SSL), the SSL certificate enables an encrypted connection. It’s like sealing a letter in an envelope before sending it through the mail.
SSL certificates serve to authenticate a website's identity, which assures users that they are not on a bogus site. They are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs), trusted entities that verify the identity of the website owners and their connection to the domain being visited. To obtain an SSL certificate, a website owner must go through a validation process conducted by a Certificate Authority.
There are several types of SSL certificates, each offering different levels of validation:
- Domain Validation (DV) Certificates: These are the simplest form of SSL certification. DV certificates validate that the site owner has control over the domain. They are issued quickly and are less expensive, but they do not vet the actual organization behind the site.
- Organization Validation (OV) Certificates: OV certificates require more validation than DV certificates. The CA checks the applicant's business and verifies that it is legitimate and trustworthy.
- Extended Validation (EV) Certificates: Offering the highest level of validation, EV certificates require a thorough examination of the business by the CA. Websites with an EV certificate display a green address bar or a lock with the company name in the browser, offering users the highest level of confidence in the website's security.
Why are SSL Certificates Important?
SSL certificates are essential for protecting your sensitive information such as credit card information, usernames, passwords etc. as it travels across the world's computer networks. SSL is the standard for ensuring that all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral.
When you visit a website that is secured with an SSL certificate, your browser will form a connection with the webserver, recognize the SSL certificate, and then bind your browser and the server together. This connection is secure so that no one except for you and the website you're submitting the information to can access or view what you type into your browser.
This secure connection is critically important for e-commerce websites and all other sites that deal with personal user information. The padlock icon in the web browser’s address bar or a URL that begins with "https://" instead of "http://" indicates the presence of an SSL certificate and an encrypted connection.
Additionally, Google has made SSL certificates a ranking factor for websites. This means that sites with SSL certificates may rank higher in search results than those without them, making SSL certificates essential not only for security but also for search engine optimization (SEO).
In summary, an SSL certificate is a pivotal component of internet security. It enables encrypted connections and validates a website's identity, thereby protecting sensitive user information from being intercepted. Any website that handles personal information, including login details and financial transactions, should have an SSL certificate for securing user data and improving trustworthiness and search engine ranking.