What is SSL Certificate and How It Works?

SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is an encryption technology to create an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser for protecting the private information of the visitors. With the increasing importance of e-commerce websites where people do online payments through credit cards, it becomes all the more essential for the website owners to protect their sensitive information from hackers and identity thieves. If not so, they might lose their customers. Reports say that online shoppers have become more aware and always look for security signs like HTTPS and green padlock icon on the address bar while shopping online. SSL Certificate comes to the rescue of eCommerce entrepreneurs and safeguards the sensitive information like debit and credit card numbers; username and password details etc. This Infographic titled 'What is SSL Certificate and How It Works' help you understand more about what is SSL, how it works to make secure connections, what SSL Certificate checks, types of SSL certificates, why to get SSL certificate, what are the benefits of SSL security certificates and what all should you have to buy SSL certificate!

What Types of SSL Certificates can be used for Online Shopping Website

Website Security Certificates

Presently, the security of online internet transactions is very critical, in order to prevent the unauthorized usage of credit and debit card numbers and other internet frauds. In order to secure these transactions, a Secure Socket Layer, or SSL certificate is installed on an ecommerce website. Though some sites also operate without this certification, it is advisable to use the same so as to ensure maximum data security.

How an SSL certificate provides a sense of security?

Adding an SSL certificate gives customers a feeling of security through two different ways. Firstly, an https:// notification will certify that the site is secured. Along with this, the credit card numbers will appear encrypted and information on the website will be matched with the certificate authority. Digital certificate is mainly an electronic credit card to establish the online shopper's credentials of a website. The digital certificate must be used on the same domain name that has been stated in it; otherwise it will be termed unauthorised.

Types of SSL certificates

There are three types of certificates that can be used on an ecommerce website. Different levels of validation are given to a company in order to prove its genuineness.  The first one is Domain validated (DV) SSL certificate. Issuers of this certificate check the ownership credentials of a domain as against the WHOIS database. Only the applicant's name and contact information is verified in this type. It is the simplest form of SSL and prevents users from encountering warning screens. The next type is an Organizationally Validated (OV) security certificate. Rigorous certification is followed in this type by checking organisational credentials and verifying the activity of business and home addresses of entrepreneurs. It is much more advanced than DV SSL. Last is the Extended Validation (EV) SSL, also the newest form introduced as recently in 2007. It adheres to industry-recognized certification procedures and their validation criterion is even more stringent. One of the new features introduced in this is color coding of web browsers and denoting secure connections. Browser windows turn green on encountering a valid website and red for a phishing or fake website.

Importance of encryption for an ecommerce website

  

With the help of a website certificate, communication between email client and exchange server can be made more efficient. It must be noted that validity of businesses is certified by ensuring legitimacy. SSL can be said to be a type of website certificate as encryption is an important part of security on websites. It is essentially aimed at certifying that the user is legitimate. 

Is self signed security certificate enough for your business website?

Website Security

In the 21st century, many internet based businesses go great lengths so as to connect with their target customers, which inevitably has become the most important step towards building a profitable online enterprise. Interestingly, some 75 per cent of the online shoppers look for a security certificate before making any online purchase and ensuring that the concerned website is protected by a verified and popular Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL certificate. Further, these kinds of security certificates are mostly provided by Comodo, Verisign or one of the Symantec brands. Without these reliable brands underlining reliability of a website, online customers usually click away and look for some other websites. A digital certificate like SSL is nothing but an electronic credit card, which confirms credentials or identity of a website that is engaged in online business and other types of transactions over the World Wide Web.

Introduction to a security certificate?

A security certificate for a website is issued by the Certification Authority (CA) and it comprises name, expiration dates, serial number and the copy of owner's public key, which is usually needed for encryption of data, messages and digital signatures. Further, an SSL certificate also includes digital signature of the certificate issuing CA, so as to enable a recipient to verify its authenticity. A digital certificate like SSL can also be recorded in online registries, so that any authenticating consumer can check public keys for verification.

Self signed vs third party signed security certificate 

Some IT professionals hold the opinion that net costs for a website authentication can be easily cut by eliminating third party SSL certification authorities from the budget equation. Individuals who believe that spending money on an SSL certificate for an online ecommerce website business or a company homepage is nothing but unnecessary, are actually walking on a tight rope. A self signed security certificate for an online business website is not a great alternative for paid SSL certification, issued by Comodo, Verisign or Symantec. This can be easily found out doing some basic market research and budgetary estimates.

Experts believe that the net cost of owning an SSL security certificate is much more than the price of the certificate. One has to consider expenses on security hardware, data centre storage space and management software, amid others, which can easily add up a big figure for the setting up of a secure and self signing architecture. Further, a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach to SSL certificate can put an entire organisation at grave risk in a number of ways, from both technical and business perspectives. Almost all major external and internal facing online marketing oriented business websites require a strong SSL protection verified by reputed third party certification provider. A digital certificate offers the most cost effective option for authenticating the identity of any online ecommerce web portal, besides being highly recommended as well.

SSL Certificates and Their Significance for your Reseller Business

SSL Certificate

With the rising popularity of e-commerce and growth in the number of online shoppers, there is a growing concern on the security of online transactions. With so many hackers and internet thieves out there to attack your websites and steal your client’s sensitive information, there must be proper arrangements made to ensure the security of your website as well as all online business transactions.

SSL Certificates-Abbreviation for Secure Socket Layer, are designed to do just that: secure your business transactions and ensure the safety of your all important data and information being exchanged online.

As a domain and hosting reseller, it becomes important to advise your clients, to secure their websites, especially e-commerce websites that involve payment transactions and exchange of sensitive information of customers’ bank details.  In India, business owners are yet to fully realize the importance of an SSL certificate and securing their websites against any hacking or phishing attack. It is only a small percentage of total websites (both static and dynamic websites) that have an SSL certificate embedded on them. It is only when websites are compromised or they lose their sensitive data to hackers or online thieves that their owners realize they should have their secured by an SSL certificate.  Once you lose your data, it becomes a real challenge to start afresh and create a new website.  Also, if, unfortunately, your bank details are stolen, you can just imagine the repercussions it will have both on your personal as well as professional life.   It is so surprising to know that despite knowing the risk that they carry, we still see websites, involving exchange of sensitive information and online transactions, existing without any SSL certificate on them. As a web hosting reseller, you provide web services like domain registrations, web hosting and Email solutions to your clients; and, most of the times, design their websites as well; then, why not also suggest them to secure their website with an SSL Certificate; especially if their website is going to be an e-commerce website. Most of the domain name registrars also have an SSL reseller options and provide attractive discounts on the various SSL certificates they offer. You can check with your partner Domain Registrar if they have SSL certificates in their product offering as well; and if not, then you may want to directly sign up for a reseller account with any of the major SSL service providers like Symantec, GeoTrust, Thawte, Norton and so on.

In addition to giving your handsome margins on sales, SSL certificates will ensure that you design fully secured websites to your clients also.

SSL Certificates - Low Cost, High Assurance, Secure Sockets Layer!

SSL Certificate

The SSL certificate means a Netscape developed protocol called Secure Sockets Layer. For the purpose of communicating with clients on the web, in a secure manner, installation of secure site SSL certificates are made. If the installation of this certificate is not done on the server, then anyone can view or intercept the website for information. 

SSL certificates at low cost and high assurance have a lot of advantages to it. Potential buyers start gaining trust in your website which is one of the main advantages. If the secure URL is different then, many of the customers do not feel comfortable in putting up details of the credit card on the site.  

Customers Feel Confident Enough
Consider a high assurance, low cost dedicated SSL so that customers feel confident to furnish details of their credit card on your cart for shopping. A SSL that is dedicated also shows that the web certificate is dedicated to your site and in the name of your company.

If yours is an ecommerce site then it is necessary to have the SSL certificate. In a secured manner this protocol helps in private document transmission. Once you have this certificate it secures your site and enables you to use the ecommerce cart or the shopping cart securely on the site. 

Three Types of Validation 
Instead of using http:// the certificate allows browsing with https://. Security of information on bank accounts and credit card numbers which is extremely confidential is ensured. Once the SSL certificate is purchased, its validation has to be performed in three different ways. One is organizational validation, domain validation and extended validation.

In the case of organizational validation, information from multiple sources is checked for the business. This is for ensuring the business names, names of the owners etc matches with business registration. With listings of businesses locally, the details also should perfectly match. A secure SSL certificate is issued when a check is done to ensure that with the business listings locally match well. For certificate verification the organizational validation method is used. All information required for business verification can be used.

Affordable Method
The next is domain validation, the most affordable method done at the domain level. For checking whether or not the person who controls the domain is the recipient, an email is sent to a domain associated account. To determine whether or not the domain’s legitimate owner is the person, the email is not provided guarantee. Validation can be done by calling up the person. It is only the SSL certificate which helps ensuring proper verification of business.

In the case of extended validation a popular method, on the address bar of the browser. A highlight in green for the business name and site appears. All information is verified after contacting the owner of the domain via a number taken from the phone directory locally. Two weeks are taken for issuing the SSL certificate using extended validation. A certificate that is designed by self is another option for SSL certificate validation.  In a web browser, display of a warning appears to ask if the user is interested in proceeding or not.

What is SSL?

Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is basically an encryption technology that builds a safe and secure session between a website visitor and a website. An SSL Certificate is a digital computer file that is primarily used to encrypt or decrypt information that is send to and from the website.

SSL certificates are considered very crucial for businesses that indulge in taking online orders and payments or those that process crucial data, such as birth dates, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers among others.

These certificates help the website visitors to know that site belongs to who it says it belongs to. An SSL certificate also provides information about the holder of the certificate, the domain name that the certificate was issued to, and the name of the Certificate Authority who issued the certificate.