Have you ever noticed that some URLs start with «http://» begin, while others «https://"Start?"
Perhaps you have the additional «s"I noticed this while browsing websites that require the transmission of sensitive information, such as when paying bills online. But where does this extra 's' come from and what does it mean?"
The added «s"Essentially means that your connection to this website is encrypted and secure. Every bit of data you enter is securely transmitted to the website. Behind this little "s"The SSL technology is hidden for additional protection."
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. The SSL protocol was an internet security protocol designed to establish an encrypted connection between web servers and clients. Today, SSL has been replaced by TLS, but many people still refer to this technology using the SSL acronym.
An SSL certificate contains a private and a public key, which makes it possible to secure online transactions and protect customer information.
Sometimes also called «SSL handshakeThe term "SSL" indicates that a security check begins when users attempt to connect to a website secured with SSL. The browser requests identification from the site server and receives a copy of the SSL certificate. After validating that the SSL certificate is trustworthy, a secure connection is established to exchange encrypted data between the browser and the server.
In modern internet browsers, you can tell that a website is secure if the URL in the address bar contains HTTPS. This is visually indicated by a small padlock icon. You can click on this icon on any HTTPS website to view the certificate itself.
If you're new to the world of internet security, you might also be confused by some other common terms. Here, we'll show you how SSL differs from common web security terms like TLS and HTTPS.
It is the successor to SSL. It is an advanced protocol for maintaining privacy, security, and authenticity on the internet through certificates.
HTTP is the original application layer protocol on the internet in a client-server model. HTTP sites and URLs lack a secure certificate.
This is the secure version of HTTP, used by more than 79% of websites. These websites typically use TLS certificates.
It is also important to consider how the lack of HTTPS can affect your website's search ranking.
Google's algorithm includes the HTTPS protocol as a ranking signal, which could theoretically improve your site's ranking. However, given how widespread HTTPS is now, it's more likely that your site will rank poorly in search results if you don't use HTTPS.
Note that user interaction is an important ranking signal, so when people click on your page in the search results, it is essential that they stay on the page and interact with it instead of leaving immediately.
An insecure website is often labeled a «Not sure"Displaying a warning that can scare incoming users and destroy your user engagement metrics. This is the sole reason your..." SEO benefit from a TLS certificate.
SSL certificates fall under the following categories:
They each have three classifications and can be requested on the SSL website. The certificates are processed by a Certificate Authority (CA), software specifically designed for managing and issuing these certificates.
There are three types of encryption and validation certificates:
If the certificate is intended for a single domain number, you also have several other options:
An Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificate is the most secure and expensive type of SSL certificate. It displays the padlock icon, HTTPS, the company name, and the company's country in the address bar to prevent confusion with spam websites. To obtain an EV SSL certificate, you must prove that you are authorized to own the domain you are applying for.
This guarantees users that you are legally collecting the data required for specific actions, such as providing a credit card number during an online transaction. An EV SSL certificate is a must for any business that needs to prove its legitimacy and build trust with customers.
Purchasing an EV SSL certificate should be a top priority for businesses that want to protect themselves and their customers. If your website, for example, processes online payments or collects data, you should consider acquiring such a certificate.
This certificate confirms that your organization and domain validation are genuine. Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates offer a medium level of encryption and are obtained in two steps. First, the certificate authority verifies who owns the domain and whether the organization operates legitimately.
When browsing the internet, users can identify a company's website by a small green padlock icon, behind which the company name is displayed. If you're looking for enhanced encryption without a large financial investment, this type of certificate is certainly worth considering.
Domain Validation (DV) certificates offer a fast encryption solution, indicated by the green padlock in your URL address bar. Applying for this certificate is effortless; you only need a few basic company documents, and you're good to go!
This verification occurs when you add a DNS to the CA. With this certificate, the certificate authority checks whether the applicant has the right to own the requested domain. (Note: Domain Name Certificates (DNS) do not secure subdomains, only the domain itself.)
Unlike EV SSL, the certificate authority does not verify identity data, so you don't know who receives your encrypted data. However, if you belong to a company that cannot afford a higher-grade SSL certificate, a DV certificate will suffice.
Wildcard SSL certificates belong to the category of "domain and subdomain number". They ensure that if you purchase a certificate for a domain, you can also use the same certificate for subdomains.
For example, if you buy a wildcard certificate for example.com, it can be used on mail.example.com and blog.example.com. This option is cheaper than purchasing multiple SSL certificates for a single number or domain.
Did you know that Unified Communications Certificates (UCCs) or Multi-Domain SSL certificates allow you to combine multiple domain names on a single certificate? This technology ensures that all your domains are protected by the same encryption, guaranteeing confidential information and data security for every site.
UCCs were originally developed to bridge the gap between a server and a browser, but have since been expanded to accommodate multiple domain names owned by a single company.
A UCC certificate displays a padlock icon in the address bar to indicate verification. They can also be considered EV SSL certificates if configured to display green text, the padlock icon, and the country of origin. The only difference is the number of domain names associated with that certificate.
Add up to 100 domains to a single multi-domain SSL certificate using the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) feature. For example: www.domain.co.uk, www.domain.com, mail.example.com, and checkout.example.com – all can be integrated into a secure connection, so your website visitors don't have to worry!
A single-domain SSL certificate only provides security for one domain, not for its subdomains or other domains. This is the most critical aspect of this certificate, as it cannot be used to protect any website other than the one specified.
For example, if you purchase this certificate for example.com, you cannot use it for blog.example.com or 2ndexample.com.
First, it's important to determine what type of certificate you need. For example, if your content is distributed across multiple platforms and domains/subdomains, this could mean that different SSL certificates are required.
In most cases, a standard SSL certificate is sufficient to protect your content. However, for companies in a regulated industry—such as finance or insurance—it may be worthwhile to speak with your IT team to ensure you meet your industry's specific SSL certificate requirements.
The cost of SSL certificates varies, but you can obtain a free certificate or pay monthly for a custom certificate. Let's Encrypt offers free certificates. However, it is recommended to consult specialists who are familiar with DNS and the technical configuration of your website.
These certificates also expire every 90 days, so make sure they are always up to date. Some CMS platforms, such as HubSpot's free CMS, offer a free SSL certificate to ensure the security of your website.
It's also important to consider the validity period of any SSL certificate you plan to purchase. Standard options are typically valid for one or two years. However, if you require a longer-term solution, you should look into more advanced certificates with extended validity periods.
Yes. While the primary purpose of SSL is to secure information between visitors and your website, it also offers benefits for search engine optimization. According to Google Webmaster Trends analysts, SSL is part of Google's search algorithm.
Let's say two websites have similar content, but one has SSL enabled and the other doesn't. The first website might get a slight ranking advantage because it uses encryption. Therefore, there's a clear SEO benefit to enabling SSL on your website and all its pages.
When you visit a website with SSL, there are a few noticeable differences that will be displayed in the browser. Click here to get a free SSL checker tool.
Your website's URL should look something like the image below. Remember that a secure website always contains an "s," which stands for security. This text is also usually displayed in green and accompanied by a small padlock icon.
The padlock icon is located either on the left or right side of your browser's URL bar. In Chrome and Safari, it's on the left. To get more information about the website itself and the certificate issuer, simply click on the small padlock icon!
Even if a website displays https:// and a padlock icon, the certificate may have expired, meaning your connection is not secure. In most cases, a website displaying https is secure, but if you encounter a website that requests a lot of personal information, you should verify the certificate's validity.
To determine if the certificate is valid in Chrome, go toView > Developer > Developer Tools and navigate to the Security tab. Clicking the "View Certificate" button will provide you with more information about the certificate's expiration date, allowing you to verify its validity. Checking if your SSL certificates are up-to-date has never been easier with this tool!
The next time you visit a website, check the encryption status. I find it reassuring to know that I can see if my data is secure by clicking on a small padlock icon.
If you belong to a company that doesn't yet have SSL certificates, you should make this your next goal so that you can protect your customers' data and privacy.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June 2020 and has been updated for clarity.
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