Website security certificates, also known as SSL certificates and HTTPS certificates, are digital certificates that help users ensure that they are visiting a real website. To get a website security certificate, the website owner must go through a business validation process and prove domain ownership. Certificate authorities (CA) use the details domain owners provide to make sure the businesses applying for SSL certificates are real businesses and not fake ones. This shows the real purpose of a website certificate, which is establishing the identity of a business. These certificates also help website visitors identify fake websites and prevent them from accessing one such website.

Cybercriminals victimize internet users by making them visit fake websites and stealing their sensitive data. The moment a user visits one such website and provides sensitive details like credit card numbers, etc., hackers will steal the details and find ways to misuse them for their benefit. With such crimes increasing day by day, it is important for websites to make sure they make their websites more secure.

Security certificates encrypt all communications between the server and the client, thereby allowing secure transactions online. SSL certificates also help build trust and assure users that their data will be secure with the specific website.

By activating the HTTPS protocol, SSL certificates encrypt data transmission between the server and the client. These certificates are installed on the webserver and are issued by certificate authorities like Comodo, RapidSSL, etc. CAs are authorized to validate a website and issue an SSL certificate. When the website owner or an authorized person makes a request for an SSL certificate, the CA will validate the website and issue an SSL certificate.

Why Are Website Security Certificates Important to Businesses?

SSL certificates are mandatory for e-commerce and other websites that involve transactions, for higher credibility and to boost security. The HTTPS protocol will prevent unauthorized third-parties from intercepting communications by encrypting server-client communication. Only authorized people with the private key will be able to access usernames and other banking details.

Security certificates improve the reputation of businesses by telling the users that the website has been legally validated and is secure. Cybercriminals in most cases impersonate legit e-commerce websites and commit frauds. SSL certificates will prevent that from happening. SSL certificates are a boon to e-commerce websites and other online businesses that do not have a physical office. CAs legally validate such businesses and tell users that they are secure websites. This way, security certificates help businesses gain customer trust and differentiate them from fraudulent websites.

Security certificates also boost SEO rankings. Websites without SSL certificates are flagged by search engines and only those that are secured rank on Google.

How Does a Website Security Certificate Work?

Security certificates use the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to encrypt communications happening between the client and the server. To activate the HTTPS protocol on a website and to secure it, an SSL certificate has to be installed.

Once a security certificate is properly installed on the web server, the communication between the client and the server will begin with a TLS handshake. When a user accesses a website secured with an SSL certificate, the browser will require the web server to identify itself. This is where the web server will share its encryption details like SSL version, etc. by sending the browser a copy of its SSL certificate.

Once the browser verifies the details it received, it will communicate with the server and the server will send the browser a digitally signed acknowledgment to begin an encrypted session. Followed by that, the browser and the web server will share encrypted data. The process will repeat for each session to ensure that both the parties involved in the communication are who they actually claim to be and are not scammers. It also ensures that the data shared is not modified in transit.

What Are the Different Types of Website Security Certificates?

There are three different types of website security certificates, single-domain SSL certificates, Wildcard SSL certificates, and SAN or Multi-Domain SSL security certificates. These certificates are further subdivided into a few other types based on the level of validation. Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation are the three levels of validation. Click here to know more about the different types of SSL certificates and validation levels.

How Do Site Owners Get a Website Security Certificate?

Website owners can get SSL certificates from trusted certificate authorities like Comodo, RapidSSL, GeoTrust, etc. They can get SSL certificates from SSL providers like CheapSSLSecurity which offer SSL certificates from brands like GeoTrust, Comodo, RapidSSL, etc. at a discounted price.

If you are looking to get an SSL certificate for your e-commerce website or another website, you can visit CheapSSLSecurity and compare features and prices before you get a certificate for your website. Once you decide on the type of SSL certificate you want for your website, you can provide the required details to the SSL provider to get your SSL certificate. The time is taken by the certificate authority to issue your website a security certificate will depend on the type of SSL certificate and the validation level you choose. For instance, if you choose a Domain Validation SSL certificate, it will be issued in minutes by the CA, but that may not be the case with Organization Validation or Extended Validation SSL certificates as the validation process could take between a few hours to two or three days.

Conclusion

With cybercrimes increasing rapidly, not choosing the right SSL certificate for your website could make your business lose its reputation. Make sure you secure your website with a security certificate to keep your users’ data secure. Likewise, make sure the certificate is installed properly to prevent your website from becoming a victim of attacks online.

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Welcome to Savvy Security, a blog focused on providing practical cybersecurity advice for website owners and small businesses. Our team brings you the latest news, best practices and tips you can use to protect your business...without a multi-million dollar budget or 24/7 security teams.

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