How to increase the security of the site? What is an ssl certificate?

How does SSL work?

In case of domain registration, you can secure all your site information by purchasing SSL. In fact, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security technology commonly used to secure server-to-browser transactions. In general, SSL involves securing any information that is transmitted by a browser (such as a customer’s credit card number or password) to a web server (such as an online store or online banking application).

This is done by ensuring that the information transferred between users and sites, or between two systems in the case of hosting purchases and IR domain registrations, is completely secure and impossible for hackers to read. SSL uses encryption algorithms to encrypt data in transit, preventing data from being leaked by hackers as it is sent over the connection. This information can be any sensitive or personal data and can include credit card numbers and other financial information, names and addresses, passwords, etc.

When a website is secured with an SSL certificate, HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) appears in the URL. By clicking on the green lock icon in the browser bar, you can view the details of the certificate, including the issuing authority and the company name of the website owner.

What is TLS?

TLS (Transport Layer Security) stands for Transport Layer Security and is an updated and more secure version of SSL. We still refer to our security certificates as SSL because that’s the more common term, but when you buy SSL from DigiCert, you’re actually buying the most up-to-date TLS certificates with the option of ECC, RSA or DSA encryption.

What is the difference between SSL and TLS protocols?

Both SSL and TLS are protocols used to provide security between a web browser and a web server.

The main difference between Secure Socket Layer and Transport Layer Security is that in SSL, the message digest is used to create the master cipher and provides basic security services, authentication and confidentiality. While in TLS, the pseudo-random function is used to create the master key.

Advantages of ssl

In the following, you will get to know the 8 advantages of SSL.

1. Security

The main purpose of an SSL certificate is to encrypt information so that it can only be read by the intended recipients. Information that is exchanged through the Internet has a high chance of being accessed by other persons and hackers. Because an SSL certificate encrypts data, random characters are inserted into it. Even if hackers can obtain this information, they will not be able to understand it. Therefore, SSL is ideal for protecting sensitive information such as user IDs, passwords, and credit card numbers.

2. Authentication

For all data on the Internet, there is a possibility of access by third parties and hackers. SSL ensures that any information on your site reaches the correct server. To achieve this SSL uses a protection called server certificate. This server certificate ensures that the SSL certificate provider is trusted by acting as an intermediary between browsers and SSL servers.

3. Reliability

Whenever an SSL certificate is used on a site, it ensures its security to a great extent. Hence, when visitors visit a site, it creates a sense of trust that the site is legitimate and not fake. Generally, an SSL-authenticated site will show a green lock in the address bar. This lock indicates that the site has implemented security and reliability measures to carry out transactions.

4. Prevent phishing

Sometimes users may receive phishing emails (often in the form of advertisements and delivery confirmations) that redirect links to another site. The sole purpose of these sites is to collect sensitive information such as credit card details. However, it is almost impossible for these sites to get a valid SSL certificate. When visitors don’t notice an SSL certificate, they probably won’t enter any confidential information.

5. Online payment

All payment card industries require sites to have an SSL certificate with at least 128-bit encryption to accept payments. Without a proper SSL certificate, sites cannot accept credit card payments.

6. Required software

SSL does not require the installation of client software. All that is required is an Internet connection through a standard web browser. Therefore, it is possible to significantly save the cost of purchasing, maintaining and managing the software. This can be useful for small and large organizations.

7. SEO

Recently, Google has announced that having an SSL certificate is one of the factors to increase the ranking of search engines and SEO of the site. This algorithm is built in such a way that sites with SSL certificates will rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Almost all sites that rank high on Google have an SSL certificate.

8. Easy installation

Installing these SSL certificates on cPanel and DirectAdmin is very simple and easy. (To know what cpanel is, click here.) Today, most hosting providers will install an SSL certificate for you because they are aware of the benefits of an SSL certificate for their customers and users. (Click here to know what Direct Admin is.)

No professional guidance is required to install an SSL certificate as anyone without prior technical knowledge can easily do the job.

Even hosting providers such as WebRams help us install certificates and activate them on our websites. On the other hand, there are several tutorials available on Google and YouTube that can be useful for learning how to install, activate, and configure your SSL certificates.

Types of SSL certificates based on the number of domains

A web server needs an SSL certificate to establish a secure connection. To enable SSL on your server, you need to select the correct SSL type based on your needs. This guide explains the main differences between SSL types.

Single

Single SSL certificates protect only a single subdomain (hostname).

At the discretion of the CA, if you purchase a single-name certificate for the hostname www (www.mydomain.com), the certificate may also include the root domain (mydomain.com).

WILD CARD

A wildcard SSL certificate secures a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) as well as an unlimited number of its accompanying subdomains at one level (such as all first-level subdomains).

A Wildcard SSL certificate allows you to secure multiple subdomains with a single certificate. In many cases, a wildcard certificate makes more sense than a SAN (Subject Alternative Name) because it allows you to have unlimited subdomains and you don’t need to define them at the time of purchase.

Subject Alternative Name

A SAN certificate, on the other hand, secures multiple domain names under a single certificate. A domain must be listed as an FQDN and all additional domains can be added as additional subject alternative names (SANs). SAN certificates are also known as multi-domain certificates. Additional SANs can contain multiple domains, subdomains (any level), and domains with multiple top-level domains (TLDs) such as in, .net, .org, .tech, .io, etc.

SSL certificate types based on certificate type

There are three types of SSL certificates available today. Extended Validation (EV SSL), Enterprise Validation (OV SSL) and Domain Validation (DV SSL). The encryption levels are the same for each certificate, what is different is the review and verification processes required to receive the certificate, which we will explain below.

DV

In domain valid certificates (DV SSL), the CA verifies the applicant’s right to use a specific domain name. No company identity information is verified and no information other than encryption information is displayed in the Secure Site Seal. While you can be sure that your information is encrypted, you can’t be sure who is actually behind it.

DV SSL certificates are fully supported and have the same browser recognition as OV SSL, but have the advantage of being issued almost instantly and without the need to submit company documents. This makes DV SSL ideal for businesses that need to quickly and cost-effectively send company documents over SSL.

OV

In Organizational Validated Certificates (OV SSL), the CA verifies the applicant’s right to use a particular domain name, plus performs some organization checks. The verified company information is displayed to customers when they click on the green lock of the secure site, which gives users a better view and increases user confidence. The name of the organization also appears in the certificate in the ON field.

EV

In Extended Validation (EV SSL) Certificates, the Certificate Authority (CA) verifies the applicant’s right to use a specific domain name, in addition to conducting a full organization review. The process for issuing EV SSL certificates is precisely defined in the EV Guidelines, as formally adopted by the CA/Browser Association in 2007. The steps required for a CA to issue a certificate are outlined below, including:

• Verification of the legal, physical and operational company of the entity
• Confirmation that the entity’s identity is consistent with official records
• Confirmation that the entity has the exclusive right to use the domain specified in the EV SSL certificate
• and verifying that the entity has properly authorized the issuance of an EV SSL certificate

Introducing famous companies that issue certificates

Certum

Sertam is one of the popular ssl certificate companies, which is famous among users for providing various types of ssl certificates. Sertam specializes in certification services, allowing you to verify the identity of people online and providing solutions that ensure the validity and security of documents, electronic data and devices.

SECTIGO (COMODO)

Comodo SSL has come a long way over the past few years as a very affordable SSL service provider.

Much of this success has been the result of very reasonable pricing. But note that validation may take some time if the information required for Comodo SSL to complete the verification process is not available online. On the plus side, if you have installation or browser issues, the company has excellent support.

Digicert

DigiCert completed the acquisition of Norton’s website security and PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) solutions in 2017 after operating independently for several years. The purchase was motivated by Norton’s success in convincing 90% of Fortune 500 companies to pay for Norton Secured Seal, which are now DigiCert customers.

Positive SSL

The e-commerce industry relies on efficient website security to gain customer trust and confidence in the website. The widespread demand for browser usage has brought about the need for SSL encryption. Hence it checks the chances of converting a visitor into a long-term customer.

Positive SSL is a domain valid SSL certificate from Comodo. Positive SSL is the best choice for websites that contain less user information, and require a basic level of trust.

GeoTrust

GeoTrust was once owned by VeriSign and then Norton, and may now be part of DigiCert due to the sale of the latter’s operations. The business covers three main areas: SSL certificates, signing services and SSL for enterprise services.

Those looking for an SSL certificate will find that GeoTrust offers a comprehensive selection starting at the domain level and progressing to their actual business with an EV level certificate.

Pricing is more competitive at the higher tiers, so those wanting a single site certificate may want to avoid GeoTrust, but those needing EV or OV level products should definitely take a look.

Enterprise solutions designed specifically for government agencies, healthcare businesses and financial institutions are part of the GeoTrust range. Be prepared for identity checks to take longer than others, but the accuracy of these checks has improved GeoTrust’s standing.

How to activate ssl certificate?

How to activate your certificate:

• Go to the Websites & Domains tab.
• Under the domain name you want to use, click Show More.
• Click on Hosting Settings.
• In the Security section, select SSL support.
• Select the certificate you created, and then click OK.

What is the effect of ssl on site SEO?

Having an SSL certificate on your website is the new standard. Be sure to have an SSL certificate on your site. It shows visitors that your site is verified and safe from hackers. It also improves your SEO ranking.

Research shows that Google rankings are based on real HTTPS. SSL is directly related to higher rankings.