SSL Certificates provide secure, encrypted communications between a website and an internet browser. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, the protocol which provides the encryption. SSL Certificates are typically installed on pages that require end-users to submit sensitive information over the internet like credit card details or passwords.

Why Do I Need An SSL Certificate ?

Data transferred in plain-text form or in non-encrypted format can be intercepted, eavesdropped, compromised and stolen. Transactions performed online may involve submitting personal information such as credit card information, social security numbers, usernames and passwords. Cybercriminals who intercept unencrypted communications will gain full access to this data and can use it for fraudulent purchases and activities.

Trust and security are what make people confident enough to provide private, sensitive information online. SSL certificates are what make a website trusted. Organizations must use an SSL certificate to secure their site if they wish to take online payments or expect their visitors to submit confidential information. Apart from building essential trust and security into your website, SSL certificates also help with SEO efforts now that Google is providing a rankings boost for pages that are served over https.

To implement SSL/TLS security on your website, you need to get and install a certificate from a trusted CA. A trusted CA will have its root certificates embedded in all major root store programs, meaning the certificate you purchase will be trusted by the internet browsers and mobile devices used by your website visitors. You should also decide which type of certificate suits you best.

You should also decide which type of certificate suits you best.

1) Single domain certificates allow you to secure one fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

2) Wildcard certificates secure a single domain and unlimited subdomains of that domain. For example, a wildcard certificate for ‘*.domain.com’ could also be used to secure ‘payments.domain.com’, ‘login.domain.com’, ‘anything-else.domain.com’

3) Multi-domain certificates allow website owners to secure multiple, distinct domains on a one certificate. For example, a single MDC can be used to secure domain-1.com, domain-2.com, domain-3.co.in, domain-4.net and so on.

4) Extended Validation certificates provide the highest levels of security, trust and customer conversion for online businesses. Because of this, EV certificates contain a unique differentiator designed to clearly communicate the trustworthiness of the website to its visitors. Whenever somebody visits a website that uses an EV SSL, the address bar will turn green in major browsers such as Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome.

To Activate the SSL certificate first of all web admin has to generate CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and send it to the CA authority. Based on CSR CA authority will send you the certificates mostly by email.