What is an SSL certificate and how to get one
Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 5:43 am
Whether you're just launching a new business, improving your current site, or launching a brand new website, you'll want to do it in the best possible way. In addition to offering quality products and services , it's important to make sure your website is secure and trustworthy . This is made possible by an SSL certificate and other security tools. In this article, we'll find out what an SSL certificate is , what it's used for, why it's important for your business, and how you can get one.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is an SSL certificate?
The importance of SSL
How to get an SSL certificate?
Types of SSL certificates
Why is an SSL certificate necessary for a website?
1.- Legitimize the website
2.- Authenticate the web server
3.- Avoid malware and phishing
4.- It gives more confidence to users
5.- Encrypt the information
6.- Increase the time spent on visits to the website
7.- Increase sales
8.- Activate HTTP2 and mali email address give better positioning
9.- Browsers mark a secure site
10.- Compliance with rules and regulations
11.- Preventing browser warnings
12.- Integration with external services
13.- Improve the Conversion Rate
14.- Form Protection
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that encrypts information transmitted between a server and a user . This ensures that sensitive data, such as personal and financial information, is protected from unauthorized access during transmission .
The primary function of SSL is to encrypt data . This means that the information sent between the server and the user is transformed into a code that can only be deciphered by the intended recipient. This encryption protects against the interception of sensitive data by cybercriminals or malicious third parties.
More information about the SSL certificate on your website
The importance of SSL
Using an SSL certificate is crucial for any website that works with sensitive customer information. This tool ensures data security and increases consumer confidence . In addition, modern browsers mark sites that do not have this type of certificate as “not secure”. This can therefore negatively affect user perception and website traffic.
How to get an SSL certificate?
Given the importance of having an SSL certificate on your business website, we want to explain how you can get one to protect it from malicious actions by hackers.
Choose the right type of certificate. There are different types of SSL certificates, each designed to meet different needs. So, depending on what your website needs, you can choose between a domain validation, organization, extended, wildcard, multi-domain, or unified communications certificate.
In this regard, it is important to choose a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), such as Let's Encrypt, DigiCert, or Comodo, to ensure the validity and acceptance of the certificate.
Obtaining process. At this point, a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is generated, which must contain the information that will be included in the SSL certificate. It is generated from the server where the certificate will be installed. Once it has been created, the CSR is sent to the selected Certification Authority (CA).
Then, validation is carried out by the CA that will verify the information provided. This process will vary depending on the type of certificate, whether it is domain, organization or extended. Then, once validated, the CA issues the certificate that must be installed on the server.
Server Setup: Now it's time to install the certificate on your server using the instructions provided by the CA. Make sure to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to take advantage of the security of SSL.
Certificate renewal: SSL certificates have a limited validity, so it is crucial to renew them before they expire to keep your site secure. This step is very important, as failure to renew on time can lead to security warnings and decrease user trust.
How the SSL certificate works on your website
Types of SSL certificates
Depending on the needs of your website, you can install different types of SSL certificates, which we will see below:
Domain Validation Certificates (DV SSL) - These only verify domain ownership and are quick and easy to obtain.
Organization Validation Certificates (OV SSL) - Not only do they serve to validate domain ownership, they also verify the existence of the requesting organization.
Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL) - They offer the highest level of security and trust, thoroughly validating the identity of the organization.
Wildcard SSL Certificates. Protect against multiple subdomains under a single primary domain.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC) – Allows you to secure multiple domains and subdomains with a single certificate.
Unified Communications Certificates (UCC) - Designed for Microsoft Exchange Office Communications environments, they protect against multiple domain names and services.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is an SSL certificate?
The importance of SSL
How to get an SSL certificate?
Types of SSL certificates
Why is an SSL certificate necessary for a website?
1.- Legitimize the website
2.- Authenticate the web server
3.- Avoid malware and phishing
4.- It gives more confidence to users
5.- Encrypt the information
6.- Increase the time spent on visits to the website
7.- Increase sales
8.- Activate HTTP2 and mali email address give better positioning
9.- Browsers mark a secure site
10.- Compliance with rules and regulations
11.- Preventing browser warnings
12.- Integration with external services
13.- Improve the Conversion Rate
14.- Form Protection
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that encrypts information transmitted between a server and a user . This ensures that sensitive data, such as personal and financial information, is protected from unauthorized access during transmission .
The primary function of SSL is to encrypt data . This means that the information sent between the server and the user is transformed into a code that can only be deciphered by the intended recipient. This encryption protects against the interception of sensitive data by cybercriminals or malicious third parties.
More information about the SSL certificate on your website
The importance of SSL
Using an SSL certificate is crucial for any website that works with sensitive customer information. This tool ensures data security and increases consumer confidence . In addition, modern browsers mark sites that do not have this type of certificate as “not secure”. This can therefore negatively affect user perception and website traffic.
How to get an SSL certificate?
Given the importance of having an SSL certificate on your business website, we want to explain how you can get one to protect it from malicious actions by hackers.
Choose the right type of certificate. There are different types of SSL certificates, each designed to meet different needs. So, depending on what your website needs, you can choose between a domain validation, organization, extended, wildcard, multi-domain, or unified communications certificate.
In this regard, it is important to choose a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), such as Let's Encrypt, DigiCert, or Comodo, to ensure the validity and acceptance of the certificate.
Obtaining process. At this point, a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is generated, which must contain the information that will be included in the SSL certificate. It is generated from the server where the certificate will be installed. Once it has been created, the CSR is sent to the selected Certification Authority (CA).
Then, validation is carried out by the CA that will verify the information provided. This process will vary depending on the type of certificate, whether it is domain, organization or extended. Then, once validated, the CA issues the certificate that must be installed on the server.
Server Setup: Now it's time to install the certificate on your server using the instructions provided by the CA. Make sure to redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to take advantage of the security of SSL.
Certificate renewal: SSL certificates have a limited validity, so it is crucial to renew them before they expire to keep your site secure. This step is very important, as failure to renew on time can lead to security warnings and decrease user trust.
How the SSL certificate works on your website
Types of SSL certificates
Depending on the needs of your website, you can install different types of SSL certificates, which we will see below:
Domain Validation Certificates (DV SSL) - These only verify domain ownership and are quick and easy to obtain.
Organization Validation Certificates (OV SSL) - Not only do they serve to validate domain ownership, they also verify the existence of the requesting organization.
Extended Validation Certificates (EV SSL) - They offer the highest level of security and trust, thoroughly validating the identity of the organization.
Wildcard SSL Certificates. Protect against multiple subdomains under a single primary domain.
Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC) – Allows you to secure multiple domains and subdomains with a single certificate.
Unified Communications Certificates (UCC) - Designed for Microsoft Exchange Office Communications environments, they protect against multiple domain names and services.