SSL Certificate: What is it and why is it important for your website?

User privacy has become an increasingly requested subject with actions that seek to increase the security of browsing data to provide the visitor with the best possible experience. Since late 2017, Google has been fighting unsafe environments on the web. The first step that started this war was the mandatory use of HTTPS on websites. Pages that do not meet the requirement are marked as "not secure" by Chrome.

To correct this problem and ensure that the sites present the determined level of security, there you should buy SSL certificate for website in Ireland. And it is about them that we will talk more about in the next lines.

What is SSL?

 

With the increase in the use of the internet, it has become essential to create means that enable safe communication. Among the various existing security protocols, there is a very important one that deserves our attention.

 

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) allows clients and servers to exchange information securely, protecting data integrity and ensuring the veracity of available content. This security is provided by authenticating the parties involved in exchanging information.

 

The different types of SSL certificates

 

Allowing the activation of the HTTPS protocol, the SSL certificate is a data file that associates a cryptographic key with the data of an entity. As soon as it is installed on a computer server, data exchanges between the latter and the browsers are completely secure. There are 3 types, therefore 3 levels of security.

 

1.       DV (Domain Validation) SSL certificate

 

Domain Validated is the simplest and most popular type among websites. It is used to check and validate the website, confirming that the data transmitted between the company, and the user will be encrypted and the information will be kept secure against third-party interception. This template certifies that the site has been properly registered and that the administrator is indeed responsible for acquiring the security certificate.

 

You can recognize that the site is certified when you see a padlock next to the URL and the word “Secure” in some browsers. This certificate is indicated for websites and blogs that present registration forms with personal data to capture leads, in addition to webmail servers and systems. Issuing this type of certificate is quick with the process fully automated.

 

2.       The SSL certificate OV (Organization Validation)

 

In this type of SSL, company information is also verified and added to the certificate. Thus, the certificate contains information such as the name of the company, documentation, city, state and country. During the process, information is checked automatically through queries to databases.

This makes companies that have the certification show more credibility to the user. After all, in addition to attesting that the site is secure, it is possible to verify that the company is real and its data is available for consultation.

 

For the user, the appearance in the browser is the same as the Domain Validated certificate, that is, a padlock next to the URL. However, the institution's data are recorded in the certificate and can be consulted in any browser. Issuing this type of SSL certificate can take up to 2 business days.

 

3.       The EV (Extended Validation) SSL certificate

 

Extended Validated is considered the most complete of all certifications. In addition to domain and data, it assesses the physical organization. Therefore, a team makes a technical visit and analyses the operation of the company to ensure its suitability.

 

This certificate is not valid for subdomains, requiring the contracting of an Extended Validated certificate for each subdomain created, in addition to the main domain. Best suited for e-commerces and sites where commercial transactions take place, as it sends personal data and bank and credit card information, for example.

 

To identify this type of certification on a website, in addition to the padlock next to the URL, the company name is displayed within the navigation bar. This reinforces the perception that this is a secure site. This is the most expensive SSL certification among those mentioned and issuing the certificate can take up to 5 business days due to data verification.

 

Subdomains

 

SSL certificates are also distinguished by the number of subdomains they contain. They are divided into a single domain, multidomain and wildcard.

 

·   Single Domain SSL- Self-explanatory, single-domain SSL is one that only offers certification for one domain. If your company needs new certificates, additional hires are required.

 

·   Multidomain SSL- Multidomain certificates can be used in any of the previously mentioned categories (Domain Validated, Organization Validated, and Extended Validated). However, this type of SSL can certify several domains with a single certificate, even if in a limited way.

 

·   SSL Wildcard- Also known as wildcard SSL, Wildcard covers Domain Validated and Organization Validated certifications. Wildcard's great differential is the ability to certify all subdomains of your website, without any limitations. It is ideal for sites that have many subdomains and need the security of data encryption.

 

 

The good reasons to have an SSL certificate on your website

 

The SSL certificate, whatever the type, first of all, allows a website to comply with the ever more stringent security requirements on the Internet. As a result, it makes life hard for hackers, protects itself from any falsification of sensitive data, strengthens the confidence of Internet users, and improves its SEO referencing. Indeed, Google favours secure sites in its results pages to the detriment of those that are not.

 

And since a site that has activated the HTTPS protocol guarantees customers' browsing confidence while positioning itself as a priority in the SERPs on certain requests, it thus becomes a real “traffic magnet” and can claim a better conversion rate.

 

To go further in terms of security, you can also acquire a code signing certificate. Thanks to the latter, companies that market applications and software can digitally sign their products to prove to buyers their legitimacy and the fact that they are not a virus.

 

This type of certificate also allows its beneficiary to sign and protect their e-mails, as well as their PDF documents. He can thus protect his reputation and seal a relationship of trust with his customers (current and potential).

 

Shall we make your site more secure?

 

Now that you know everything about SSL, its importance, types and reasons for use, it's time to put it into practice!

 

If you have difficulties or don't know where to buy an SSL certificate for the website in Dublin, World social media design is here to help you. Just get in touch and tell us about your project. We are ready to help you achieve the greatest results!