What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates are small data files that encrypt data packets as they are sent through the Internet. SSL is often used to transfer data logins and credit card information online.

An SSL certificate combines with:

  • a domain name with a server name or hostname; and
  • a business identity and location.

A website that has an SSL certificate ensures all website traffic between your web server and user’s browser is secure and cannot be read. When your website has an active SSL certificate the application protocol changes from HTTP to HTTPS.

To see if your website has an SSL certificate, simply view your website’s URL to see whether it contains HTTP or HTTPS.

SSL

 

You Rank Better in Google

As of August 2014, Google went on record to state that websites that have an SSL certificate and use the HTTPS protocol are given a better ranking in search.

Businesses that have an SSL certificate are considered of higher quality because they are going the extra mile to protect their customers.

Get Your Own SSL Certificate

If you’re selling products or services online and want to provide extra security to customers, rank better in Google and generate more sales, it might be time to get your very own SSL certificate. Get your SSL certificate from White Internet Hosting today.

Read more about White Internet Hosting in the blog.

What is SSL / TLS / HTTPS?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and, in short, it’s the standard technology for keeping an Internet connection secure and safeguarding any sensitive data that is being sent between two systems, preventing criminals from reading and modifying any information transferred, including potential personal details.

It uses encryption algorithms to scramble data in transit, preventing hackers from reading it as it is sent over the connection. This information could be anything sensitive or personal which can include credit card numbers and other financial information, names and addresses.

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is just an updated, more secure, version of SSL. We still refer to our security certificates as SSL because it is a more commonly used term.

HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) appears in the URL when a website is secured by an SSL certificate. The details of the certificate, including the issuing authority and the corporate name of the website owner, can be viewed by clicking on the lock symbol on the browser bar.

 

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