Blog Title: SSL Certificates Explained – What You Need to Know
If you’re running a website, you’ve probably heard of SSL certificates. But what exactly are they and why are they so important? An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a type of digital certificate that encrypts and secures data sent over an internet connection. In other words, it helps ensure that any information exchanged between two computers—including credit card numbers, passwords, and usernames—remains encrypted and unreadable to anyone but the intended recipient. In this article we’ll take a look at what an SSL certificate is, how it’s used, the types of SSL certificates available and how much they cost.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are three main types of SSL certificates available on the market today: domain-validated (DV), organization-validated (OV), and extended validation (EV). Each type offers different levels of encryption and authentication.
• Domain Validated (DV): The most basic type of certificate. These certificates offer basic encryption and can be issued quickly since they only require proof that you own the domain name associated with your website.
• Organization Validated (OV): This type of certificate requires that the organization providing the certificate verifies your business information prior to issuance. OV certificates offer stronger encryption than DV certificates and typically provide additional features such as business identity assurance.
• Extended Validation (EV): The highest level of validation available for an SSL Certificate. EV certificates require rigorous vetting by the Certificate Authority to verify your business information before issuance.
They also come with additional features such as green address bar recognition in modern browsers, which can help increase customer trust in your website.
The cost for each type varies depending on the provider you choose, but generally speaking DV certificates are cheaper than OV or EV certs while still offering adequate protection for many websites.
Importance Of An SSL Certificate For Ecommerce Websites.
An eCommerce website needs an SSL certificate to protect its customers’ data from hackers or other malicious actors who may be trying to steal it. By encrypting all communication between the browser and server, an SSL cert ensures that no one is able to intercept sensitive information such as credit card numbers or login credentials during transmission over the Internet.
Additionally, having an SSL cert installed on your site can improve your search engine rankings due to Google’s preference for secure websites over insecure ones; thus making sure your site stays relevant in search results pages for longer periods of time. Finally, having an EV cert installed on your eCommerce site will give customers added assurance that their data is safe when shopping with you online due to its rigorous vetting process which includes verifying both your business’ identity as well as its physical location before issuance .
All in all, having an up-to-date SSL certificate installed on your website is essential for any business looking to do business online today; especially eCommerce websites which handle sensitive customer data on a daily basis .
Whether you opt for a DV , OV , or EV cert will depend on how much protection you need , how much traffic comes through your site ,and ultimately how much money you’re willing to spend . Whichever option you choose though , make sure that you install it correctly in order to reap all its benefits . With these tips in mind ,you should now have enough knowledge about what an SSL certificate is and why it is important – so get out there and start protecting yourself !
