Everything You Need to Know About the SSL Certificate
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL are security standards used to encrypt the web connections between the client’s browser and the web server. Even though the term SSL protocol has been replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol, it is still used.
Every website with “HTTPS” in its web address uses the SSL/TLS
protocol. The web browser displays a green padlock on the immediate next of the
web page address whenever it sees a valid SSL certificate. This signifies users
that their connection is secure; all the communication between the web server
and their browser is being conducted through an encrypted channel.
Why use SSL
certificates?
It is necessary to have SSL encryption on the
networks. This is because the information that you share over a network passes
through a lot of other computers that are linked on a similar network so that
it can reach the destined web server. This simply means that the intermediary
computers can easily access the shared information. They can access sensitive
information like passwords, usernames, and more. But, if the network has an SSL
certification, this risk of leakage of sensitive data can be prevented by
encrypting the data so that only the recipients intended to go through can
access it.
Even if your website doesn’t ask the users to enter their
sensitive data, it is recommended to use an SSL certification. The websites
that use an SSL protocol are considered better, and also their chances of
appearing higher in the search results increases.
What does an
SSL certificate contain?
SSL certification is a term used for a web server data file that
contains various segments of information. The public key of the website is the
most critical aspect of the certificate. The certificate then includes the
domain name for which the certificate got issued and the organization’s details
or the individual for whom it got issued. Alongside all this, it contains the
information and digital signature of the authority that issued it. The SSL
certificate also has some other essential details like the issuance date and
the validity and expiration date of the certificate.
Who issues the
Secure Socket Layers?
Certificate Authority (CA) issues the SSL certificates.
Companies such as IdenTrust, DigiCert, Let’s Encrypt, and GlobalSign are among
the trusted CAs available. Microsoft, Opera, Google, Mozilla, and various other
browsers trust these CAs.
Types of SSL
certificates
SSL Certificates can be broadly classified into three different
categories:
- Domain-Validated (DV) certificates: They are the basic
entry-level certificates that get issued within a couple of minutes. They
are used to verify the ownership of the domain name and cover the basic
encryption.
- Organization-Validated (OV) certificates: They also
authenticate the owner’s details alongside the basic encryption and
verification. They might get issued within a few hours or might take up to
some days.
- Extended Validation (EV) certificates: Since EVs also verify
the physical and operational existence of the website owner, they are the
most trusted. The certificate issuance can take up to several weeks as
they follow a strict set of guidelines.
How to get SSL
certificates?
You can get SSL certification in a few steps:
- You need first to determine the required certificate type. It
depends on the number of domains and subdomains that are needed to be
secured. The banking sectors need to follow up with many more crucial
processes, as they have to rest assured that their SSL certificate meets
the requirements.
- Then the users have to determine the cost of the SSL
certificate. There are many SSL certificate providers, and the price for
each of them may vary depending upon certification type and the authority
issuing it. On a beginner’s level, you can get free service and all hail
to Let’s Encrypt.
Final Verdict
These were the details regarding the Secure Socket Layers
certificate, its types, usage, and more. We hope that the details mentioned
above would have helped you in understanding about the SSL certification.
Blair Lennon is
a McAfee expert and has been working in the technology industry since 2002. As
a technical expert, she has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and
reviews for many websites such as mcafee.com/activate.
Source : Everything
You Need to Know About the SSL Certificate
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