What is SSL?
SSL, also known as Secure Sockets Layer, is a security protocol that enables secure communication over the internet. It works by establishing an encrypted connection between a web server and a client, such as a web browser. This encrypted connection ensures that any data transmitted between the server and the client is kept private and secure.
SSL was first introduced in the mid-1990s and has since become the standard for secure communication on the internet. It is used to protect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, login credentials, and other personal data, from being intercepted by third parties.
How does SSL work?
SSL works by using a combination of public key encryption and authentication. When a client establishes a connection with a web server, the server sends a copy of its SSL certificate to the client. The certificate contains the server’s public key and other information about the server, such as its name and the issuing authority.
The client verifies the authenticity of the certificate using the issuing authority’s public key, which is stored in the client’s trust store. If the certificate is authentic, the client generates a unique session key and encrypts it using the server’s public key. The encrypted session key is then sent back to the server.
The server decrypts the session key using its private key and uses it to establish an encrypted connection with the client. From this point on, all data transmitted between the server and the client is encrypted using the session key. This ensures that the data is kept private and secure, even if it is intercepted by a third party.
Why is SSL important?
SSL is important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it helps to protect sensitive information from being intercepted by third parties. This is especially important when transmitting sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or login credentials, over the internet.
SSL also helps to build trust with users. When a website is secured with SSL, it displays a padlock icon in the address bar of the browser. This helps to reassure users that their data is being transmitted securely and that the website is legitimate.
In addition, SSL is important for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Google and other search engines give higher rankings to websites that are secured with SSL, as it demonstrates to users that the website is trustworthy and secure.
There are several different types of SSL certificates available, each with its own level of security and features.
- Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificates
Domain Validated SSL Certificates are the most basic type of SSL certificate. They are designed to verify the ownership of a domain, but do not provide any additional information about the organization or individual owning the domain. DV SSL certificates are typically issued within a few minutes, as they do not require any additional verification.
- Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificates
Organization Validated SSL Certificates provide more information about the organization or individual owning the domain. In addition to verifying the ownership of the domain, OV SSL certificates also include information about the organization, such as its name and location. These certificates typically take a little longer to issue, as they require additional verification by the issuing authority.
- Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates
Extended Validation SSL Certificates provide the highest level of security and trust. In addition to verifying the ownership of the domain and providing information about the organization, EV SSL certificates also undergo a rigorous validation process to ensure that the organization is legitimate. When a website is secured with an EV SSL certificate, the address bar of the browser turns green and displays the organization’s name, providing a visual indication of the website’s authenticity.
- Wildcard SSL Certificates
Wildcard SSL Certificates are used to secure multiple subdomains of a single domain. For example, if you have a Wildcard SSL Certificate for the domain “example.com”, it will secure subdomains such as “www.example.com“, “mail.example.com”, and “login.example.com”. Wildcard SSL Certificates are a cost-effective solution for organizations that have multiple subdomains that need to be secured.
- Multi-Domain SSL Certificates
Multi-Domain SSL Certificates, also known as SAN (Subject Alternative Name) SSL Certificates, are used to secure multiple domains with a single certificate. This is useful for organizations that have multiple websites that need to be secured, but do not want to purchase separate SSL certificates for each domain.
- Self-Signed SSL Certificates
Self-Signed SSL Certificates are SSL certificates that are signed by the organization or individual owning the domain, rather than a trusted third-party issuing authority. Self-signed SSL certificates are generally not recommended for use on public websites, as they are not trusted by web browsers and can cause security warnings to be displayed to users.