All You Need to Know About SSL Certificates

If you’ve ever come across a website where you saw the extra “s” on the website, you might wonder what it is. Where and how did that “s” come? That additional “s” you saw ensures that the website is secure; that your data will not be shared elsewhere. In simple words, the site is encrypted, and all your data remains safe. SSL, “secure sockets layer,” is an extra layer for a website to protect any essential information. What is an SSL certificate, and how does it work? How will you know that a site has an SSL? Here is everything you need to know.

What are SSL Certificates?

An SSL certificate encrypts links between a browser and a web server. The link ensures that all data passing between the browser and web server remain safe and private. When used for a website, it enables the HTTP protocol and padlocks to ensure secure and safe connections between both ends. SSL certificates are for secure logins and data transfers, credit card transactions, and web browsing. Different types of SSL certificates exist like the How do SSL Certificates work?

SSL certificates use the public key cryptography system, a cryptography type that uses two long-string keys. These strings comprise randomly set numbers; one is the public key, and the other is the private key. Your server knows the public key and works with the public domain, used for encrypting a message. Suppose John sends a message to Emma. John locks the message with Emmas’ public key, but the private key is required to decrypt the message. Since Emma is the only one who has the private key, no one other than him can unlock the message. Even if a hacker tries to open the message, all he gets is a cryptographic code. Hence the message remains safe. Replace Emma and John with the server and the website, and that’s how SSL certificates work.

How to Know if a Website has SSL?

Whenever you open a website, specific pointers will help you understand whether the website has an SSL or not. These differences are apparent in the browser.

1.    URL shows “https://” Instead of “http://”

If the website has an SSL, it should display “https://” in the browser URL bar, as in the picture below.

2.    Padlock Displayed in the URL Bar

Depending on your browser, you will also see a padlock on the right or left-hand end of the bar.

How to Get an SSL Certificate for a Website?

To get your SSL certificate, you first need to determine the one you need. You have multiple options, including cheap wildcard SSL, multi-domain SSL, single-domain SSL, and many more. Once you know which one you need, you can get to the costs. The costs of the certificates vary, but you can try the free certificate of pay monthly. Multiple sites like Let’s Encrypt, Free CMS, and Free SSL offer website security services.

Final Words

Do you see how essential SSL certificates are for your website’s protection? With a secured website, customers will trust your website more, encouraging a broader audience to join. SSL certificates are a very worthy investment to protect your website.