An SSL certificate is a digital signature that secures the connection between a user's browser and your company's website, online store, etc. This security is achieved through a secure protocol, as indicated by the last letter in HTTPS (short for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure). Let’s explore how SSL certificates work and why they are essential.
When you visit any website, your interactions with it involve the collection of personal data (for example, when processing your information during an order or making a payment directly on the site via payment systems). An SSL certificate ensures that your confidential data is protected from third parties.
Thus, an SSL certificate is not a luxury but a necessity for website owners. It not only secures data but also signals to visitors that the website owner prioritizes their online safety.
Using an SSL certificate makes your site more trustworthy in the eyes of users. This is especially important for e-commerce and business websites, where transaction security is a top priority. The only downside is the need for regular renewal and potential costs associated with purchasing a certificate.
Ultimately, choosing an SSL certificate depends on the specifics of your website and the level of trust you want to establish with users. Regardless of the type you choose, SSL is a step towards improving both security and reputation.
How Does an SSL Certificate Work?
Imagine encryption as a lock and the keys as the methods for encrypting and decrypting messages. SSL uses three types of keys: private, public, and session keys.
- Public and private keys are generated once when requesting a certificate. These keys must be kept secure, as anyone gaining access to the private key could decrypt your data. Therefore, this type of encryption alone is not entirely secure.
- To enhance security, encryption with two different keys can be used. However, this method is only applied at the start of a session because it is relatively slow.
- Session keys are generated uniquely for each session by the browser, balancing speed and security.
How Is a Secure Connection Established?
When a user visits your website, their browser requests the SSL certificate from the server. The server responds with certificate details and the public key. If everything checks out, the browser generates a session key, encrypts it using the server's public key, and stores it. After this, a secure connection is established.
Types of SSL Certificates
There are several main types of SSL certificates:
- Domain Validation (DV): Confirms that you own the domain, typically through email verification or placing a code on your site. This certificate can be issued within seconds without requiring additional company information. Suitable for both individuals and businesses.
- Organization Validation (OV): Verifies domain ownership and the existence of the company. Requires submitting registration documents and passing a verification call. Available only to legal entities.
- Extended Validation (EV): Involves a detailed company verification. Once issued, the browser's address bar turns green, increasing user trust.
- Wildcard SSL: Secures both the main domain and all its subdomains.
- Multi-Domain (SAN): Allows protection of multiple domains with a single certificate.
Does SSL Affect Search Engine Rankings?
Yes, search engines like Google prioritize websites using HTTPS, encouraging site owners to adopt secure protocols for user data protection.
Can You Create an SSL Certificate Yourself?
You can generate a self-signed certificate on your server. However, when visiting such a site, browsers may display a warning that the resource is not sufficiently secure. For public websites, it's better to use certificates from trusted certificate authorities.