What is SSL and why is it so important?
SSL certificate assures secure internet browsing on a particular website. Therefore, online shopping, financial transactions, and personal data transfers are sent safely between the user’s computer and a server. SSL basically shows your customers that you protect their personal data and creates trust.
You can determine whether a website is safe by checking the address bar at the top of your browser: how does your website’s address start? HTTP or HTTPS? Do you see a green lock?
If you see something similar (a lock), that means:
- Websites identity is authorized – you are surfing a real deal and you are not redirected to a website created by hackers and thieves.
- Data is encrypted – all data that is being transferred between a computer and a server is encrypted and it is impossible to read by anyone else.
- Guaranteed Data’s authenticity and integrity – routers are unable to change or censor transferred information.
As far as fall, 2014 “Google” announced, that ‘https’ will be one of the factors to determine to rank in search results. “Google sent a message” to the whole world that they are taking actions to make internet safer places.
In 2016 “Google” releases a new version of Google Chrome where the most important upgrade was a warning about unsafe connections.
SSL and e-commerce
One of the key factors in e-commerce is a trusted environment, where a client feels safe while making purchases. SSL certificate is a foundation of this trust because it ensures a safe connection and safe data transfers. An e-commerce site must have SSL certification, especially if it collects payment-related information.
It is very important to obtain a certificate from a trusted institution, otherwise, after checking certification a browser will warn user that it is invalid.
SSL marking in address bar
Surfing a website, which is uncertified, certification was obtained from an untrusted source or installed incorrectly you will see a sign near the address bar. Usually, a website visitor is alerted with crossed out ‘https’ and red lock with an ‘X’ on top.
This signals that you are possibly connected to a copied and most likely malicious website or the site’s owner forgot to renew SSL certification.
An image below shows some examples of the certified and authenticated websites address bar.
Risks you take while surfing HTTP websites
- To end up in a copied malicious website where you might send personal data to other people.
- To reveal information about other websites you visit and data you download.
- To reveal personal data that is sent to the servers.
- To receive false response from hackers.
- To send commands changed by hackers to the server.
You can minimise all of the above using SSL certification.
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