Website SSL Certificates

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security protocol that encrypts the data transmitted between a website and a user’s web browser, protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal information from being intercepted by malicious third parties. It is now commonly referred to as TLS (Transport Layer Security). A website with SSL enabled displays a padlock icon in the browser address bar and the URL begins with “https” instead of “http”.

Why use SSL?

There are several reasons to use SSL for a website:

1. Data encryption: SSL protects sensitive information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers, transmitted between the website and user’s browser.
2. Authenticity: SSL verifies that a user is communicating with the intended website, not an impostor site.
3. Trust: A website with SSL has a higher level of trust among users and can improve user confidence in the site’s security.
4. SEO ranking: Google uses SSL as a ranking factor, meaning that websites with SSL may have a higher search engine ranking than those without it.
5. Compliance: In some industries, SSL is a requirement for compliance with regulations such as PCI DSS for handling credit card transactions.

How to tell is a website is using SSL?

You can tell if a website is using SSL by checking the following:

1. URL: The URL of a website using SSL starts with “https” instead of “http”.
2. Padlock icon: A padlock icon is displayed in the address bar of the browser.
3. Green bar: Some browsers, like Google Chrome, display a green bar in the address bar if the website’s SSL certificate is issued by a trusted authority.
4. Security information: You can click on the padlock icon or the green bar to view the website’s SSL certificate and security information.

By observing these indicators, you can confirm that a website is using SSL and your connection to the site is encrypted.