What is an SSL certificate and why is it needed by the site owner?
SSL is the standard for encrypting and transmitting encrypted data over the network, from the user to the server and in the opposite direction from the server to the user. The abbreviation SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. In the web space, the transmission of data encoded by the SSL standard is performed using the HTTPS protocol. When you access a page with https, all data that is transmitted in the browser is encoded. If any information is even intercepted by intruders, they will not be able to decrypt it. Decoding is possible only with a secret key, known exclusively to the owner of the certificate.
An SSL certificate can be:
- Signed by a trusted certification authority (CA). The most reliable option.
- Signed by an untrusted CA. This means that the website certificate is verified, but it is not clear by whom.
- Self-signed. In fact, this means that you have issued a certificate and signed it by yourself. The degree of reliability of the certificate is zero.
Why the owner of the site needs HTTPS?
If the resource provides the registration for users, making online purchases and other transactions that require the protection of transmitted data, the ssl certificate will help to maintain the confidentiality of personal data (for example, the number and CVC of the credit card) and simultaneously show the user (the client) that the site should be trusted. Technically literate “Internet-shoppers” are becoming more and more, and the number of users who are thoughtlessly transferring payment data through unencrypted channels is getting smaller. Thus, the profit of the project is often directly dependent on the security of the connection. What should I do after I receive the certificate? Read the description of the installation process on the website of the hoster or contact the technical support of the hosting provider. There is no single solution, the installation method varies depending on the server software.
Classification of SSL certificates
SSL certificates come in three levels:
• Initial level
Used if the resource belongs to an individual or company, but you do not need to confirm the company, and the site owner only needs a secure connection. Features: Price: minimal. Processing time: about several hours. Confirmation: there is no confirmation of the company, there is confirmation of the right to the domain. Required documents: not required. Who is suitable for: individuals and legal entities.
• Intermediate level
Confirms the domain owner’s company. Compliance of the company’s documents with the declared is verified by a specialized certification center. The maximum level of user confidence. Features: The website address (https) in the address bar of the browser is highlighted in green. Cost: medium. Processing time: up to a week. Confirmation: The domain owner is confirmed. Required documents: documents confirming the company and its legal address. Who is suitable: only legal entities.
• High level
Similar to the intermediate level, but the cost is higher, since additional bonuses are possible. For example, you can use the https connection on browsers of outdated versions, it is also possible to use a certificate on subdomains. SSL certificate for the site can be issued at different times. The maximum period for registration is usually one year from the date of issue.