What is an SSL certificate? Why do we require SSL HTTPS on our website?

SSL (HTTPS) encrypts the website so it’s content, forms, database data is scrambled, so in the event of a hack, all data is non readable.

The components of an SSL certificate and their role

The methodology applied in the execution of an SSL certificate has a two-pronged dimension, which is based on Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). It is basically termed as Public Key Cryptography (PKC). It consists of basically two well defined cryptographic keys. Private Key and Public Key. The public key is mainly used for encryption, and the private key is for decryption. Encryption is meant for solving codes and decryption is to decode with or without knowledge of keys.

Public Key

A public key is shared with all and sundry who instinctively receive a certificate upon visiting a website. The web visitor uses the public key and is not aware of it. The reason behind it is that these keys are concealed in the digital certificate. The visibility of the public key of a website is confined to the SSL certificate details in your web browser.

Private Key

Both Public and Private Keys are different by nature and functions but are interdependent. As a result, when you encrypt information using a specific public key, the potential customer will obviously try to decrypt it. The Private Key is the only option to decode the required information which is also an integral part in the SSL Certificate along with the Public Key.

Asymmetric Encryption

As both Public and Private Keys are different from each other, a challenge looms large as to how can a secure connection be established.  On the client's part, to make certain whether the connectivity is set up or not, he needs to verify that the Public key matches the Private Key. This process of bringing two separate keys to complement each other is known as 'Asymmetric Encryption.'

The functions of an SSL certificate that you should understand

When a user visits a secure website, the SSL certificate informs about the identity of the web server and following that an encrypted connection is established. The whole process takes place within a second.

• When you attempt to connect to a website secured with SSL, the browser tries to pass on information to the web server to identify it.
• The server then identifies the activity and transmits an authentic image of the SSL certificate.
• The browser responds with checking the credibility of the said SSL certificate and post verification, sends back its compliance to the server.
• The server then, in turn, acknowledges message in the shape of a digitally signed accord to start an SSL encrypted session.
• The relevant encrypted data points are shared amongst the browser and the server.

Basic SSL factors

The SSL certification activity is comprised of 3 essential ingredients:

Secure Sockers Layer (SSL) protocol

Computer protocols are meant to enable different systems to work in harmony. Encrypted communications can shape only when SSL protocol is maintained by web server and browser to surface with encrypted connections. The activity of the server being requested by the browser to identify it is a simple SSL protocol.

Credentials

You can aptly define an SSL certificate a breed of a digital certificate in relevance to the online territory. Each SSL certificate uniquely identifies a specific website and web server.

Certificate Authorities

Issuing an SSL certificate depends upon the credibility of the issuing authority. Hence, internet browsers extend their trust to the servers only if the digital certificate is issued and endorsed by a competent authority.

Why would you need SSL certificates for your websites?

Privacy

Today’s internet world has reached beyond the breakeven point post having passed through the passage of revolutionary transformation. According to reports, it is seen that Internet users have increased by leaps and bounds and corresponding traffic congestion is beyond imagination. Privacy and security is a must for every individual net user and there lies the significance of an SSL certificate which contributes to keeping all online exchanges private though it travels across the public frontier. The amount of confidentiality is the signature step of an SSL certificate which genuinely reflects on your mindset when you happen to initiate an online bank transaction, divulging all personal data.
By installing an SSL certificate, you can get SEO and Google Ads Pay Per Click benefits as Google has SSL as a high ranking factor.

For more information about our SSL packages, contact our technical team on [email protected]