SSL Certificates
What is an SSL Certificate?
At its most basic, an SSL Certificate is a piece of software that encrypts all sensitive information moving to and from the Certificate holder’s website during online transaction. This means no exchange between the website and its visitors can be intentionally or accidentally “overheard” by a third party, regardless of whether the visitor is placing an order or just signing up for a newsletter.
You need SSL if...
- You have an online store or accept online orders and credit cards
- You offer a login or sign in on your site
- You process sensitive data such as address, birth date, license, or ID numbers
- You need to comply with privacy and security requirements
- You value privacy and expect others to trust you.
Encryption Protects Data During Transmission
Web servers and Web browsers rely on the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to create a uniquely encrypted channel for private communications over the public Internet. Each SSL Certificate consists of a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt information and the private key is used to decipher it. When a Web browser points to a secured domain, a level of encryption is established based on the type of SSL Certificate as well as the client Web browser, operating system and host server’s capabilities.
To run a successful Internet business today, you absolutely must assure customers that their credit card numbers and personal information will be kept safe from interception. If consumers perceive that their sensitive data might be compromised online, they are unlikely to do their shopping on the Internet.
But the news isn’t all bad. In response to the growing number and sophistication of Internet thieves, Web users are getting smart about online security. More and more of them are looking for the padlock icon, the “https” prefix or a green address bar before submitting personal information to any website.
SSL certificates provide an easy, cost-effective and secure means to protect customer information and build trust.