What Is an SSL Certificate and Why It Matters

Online security is more important than ever, and if you run a website, safeguarding your users’ data is crucial. SSL certificates—or Secure Sockets Layer certificates—play a key role in protecting sensitive data by creating secure connections between users and websites.

This guide covers everything you need to know about SSL certificates, how they work, their types, and why they’re essential for every website owner.

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Table of Contents

1. What Is an SSL Certificate?
2. How Do SSL Certificates Work?
3. Types of SSL Certificates
4. Why You Need an SSL Certificate
5. How to Get an SSL Certificate?

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What Is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital document that authenticates a website’s identity and enables an encrypted connection. This encryption is vital for protecting user data in transit, making it unreadable to any outside party. SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, has evolved into the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol, but the term SSL is still widely used.

When an SSL certificate is active, it enables the HTTPS protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure), signifying that the website uses secure encryption. You can recognize HTTPS websites by the “HTTPS” in the URL and a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. These visual indicators show users that the site is safe, building confidence that any data they enter, such as passwords, credit card information, or personal details, is protected from hackers or malicious third parties.

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How Do SSL Certificates Work?

SSL certificates protect data by encrypting it during transfer, ensuring that sensitive information remains private between the user and the website. The security provided by an SSL certificate is based on public-key cryptography, which involves a pair of keys—a public key and a private key. Here’s how these certificates work, from start to finish, focusing on the essential steps of the SSL/TLS handshake:

1. Connection Request: When a user’s browser attempts to connect to a website secured with an SSL certificate, the browser requests a secure connection by reaching out to the web server.
2. Server Identification: The web server responds by sending a copy of its SSL certificate to the user’s browser. This certificate contains the website’s public key and information about the certificate, including its issuing Certificate Authority (CA) and expiration date.
3. Certificate Validation: The user’s browser verifies the SSL certificate, ensuring that it’s valid and issued by a trusted CA. During this check, the browser also confirms that the certificate hasn’t expired and hasn’t been revoked. If the certificate is deemed trustworthy, the process proceeds; if not, the user receives a “Not Secure” warning.
4. Session Key Creation: Once the certificate is validated, the browser and server agree on an encryption method and create a session key—a temporary, symmetric key used only for this session. The browser encrypts this session key using the website’s public key and sends it back to the server.
5. Secure Connection Establishment: The web server decrypts the session key using its private key, enabling both the server and the browser to use the same session key to encrypt and decrypt the data exchanged during this session. This session key allows for faster symmetric encryption, providing both security and speed for the data transfer.

This entire SSL/TLS handshake occurs within milliseconds, making it invisible to the user but essential to establishing a secure, encrypted session. During this secure session, any data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website, such as login details, credit card information, and personal data, is encrypted and protected from interception or tampering by third parties.

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Types of SSL Certificates

SSL certificates come in various types, each designed to meet different security needs and validation levels. Choosing the right SSL certificate depends on factors like the level of security needed, the type of data being protected, and the nature of the website. Here’s a closer look at the main types of SSL certificates and their specific applications:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates provide a basic level of encryption and are the easiest and quickest to obtain. The CA verifies that the applicant owns the domain but doesn’t perform additional checks on the organization’s identity. Ideal for personal blogs, informational websites, and small businesses that don’t handle sensitive data or payments.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL certificates provide a mid-level validation where the CA verifies both the domain ownership and some organizational details, including the organization’s name and location. This level of validation is higher than Domain Validated (DV) certificates but less extensive than EV SSL. Ideal for public-facing websites, corporate sites, and organization portals where it’s important to display legitimacy, such as educational institutions and nonprofits.
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates offer the highest level of security and validation. EV SSL certificates involve a rigorous vetting process where the Certificate Authority (CA) confirms the legitimacy of the organization and verifies the business’s identity, location, and legal rights to the domain. Due to this extensive verification, EV certificates provide the greatest level of user trust. Ideal for financial institutions, eCommerce sites, healthcare providers, and high-profile websites that handle sensitive data.
• Wildcard SSL certificates secure a primary domain and all its subdomains with a single certificate. They are designated with an asterisk (*) before the domain name, which indicates that all subdomains under the primary domain are covered by this certificate. Ideal for websites with multiple subdomains, such as eCommerce sites with separate subdomains for accounts, payments, and support.
• Multi-Domain SSL certificates, also known as SAN (Subject Alternative Name) certificates, allow for the encryption of multiple domain names and subdomains within a single certificate. This flexibility is useful for businesses managing a variety of websites under different domain names. Ideal for businesses or organizations with multiple unique websites, such as a parent company with several brands or a business with a range of web services.
• Single Domain SSL certificates secure only one domain (e.g., example.com). They don’t cover any subdomains or additional domains, making them a straightforward choice for websites focused on a single, standalone domain. Ideal for small businesses, blogs, or websites with a simple structure that don’t require subdomains.
• Self-Signed SSL certificates are issued and signed by the organization itself, rather than a trusted Certificate Authority. They work similarly to other SSL certificates in providing encryption but are not verified by an external CA, which can lead to browser warnings. Ideal for internal testing environments, intranet sites, or non-public-facing applications where external validation isn’t necessary.
• Email SSL certificates, also known as S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) certificates, encrypt email communications and verify the identity of the email sender. These certificates are not directly related to website SSL but are essential for securing email transmissions. Ideal for businesses and individuals needing to secure email communication, protect data integrity, and confirm sender identity.
• Code Signing Certificates are used to digitally sign software and code, verifying the identity of the software publisher and ensuring that the code has not been altered since it was signed. While not a website SSL certificate, they are crucial for software distributed online. Ideal for software developers, app creators, and any company distributing software to the public.

Each type serves a specific need, so choosing the right SSL certificate depends on the nature and requirements of your website.

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Why You Need an SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate is crucial for websites looking to secure data, build user trust, and improve their online presence. Here’s why it’s essential:

• Protects Sensitive Data: SSL encrypts data like login details, payment info, and personal data, ensuring privacy and security against interception.
• Builds User Trust: SSL’s visible indicators—such as the padlock icon and HTTPS—reassure users that the website is secure, boosting confidence and encouraging engagement.
• Prevents Phishing Attacks: By verifying a website’s authenticity, SSL helps prevent attackers from creating fake sites to steal user information.
• Enables HTTPS and Secure Browsing: SSL certificates activate HTTPS and the padlock icon, protecting users from “Not Secure” warnings that discourage engagement.
• Improves SEO: Google considers HTTPS as a ranking factor, giving SSL-secured sites a competitive edge in search engine results.
• Meets Compliance Standards: SSL helps websites comply with regulations like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR by encrypting user data and protecting privacy.
• Enhances Site Integrity: SSL prevents data tampering and ensures that information transmitted between the server and user remains intact.
• Reduces Bounce Rates: Users are more likely to trust and stay on a secure site, leading to lower bounce rates and higher conversions.

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How to Get an SSL Certificate?

To secure your website with SSL, you’ll need to obtain a certificate from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) like Let’s Encrypt, Sectigo, or DigiCert. Here’s a simple guide to acquiring an SSL certificate:

1. Choose the SSL Type: Select a certificate type based on your needs—whether it’s a single-domain, multi-domain, or a high-assurance EV certificate.
2. Check with Your Hosting Provider: Many hosting providers now offer SSL certificates as part of their hosting packages. Some providers, especially those offering managed hosting, include free SSL certificates from services like Let’s Encrypt. Checking with your host first could save time and reduce costs, as they might handle SSL setup and renewal automatically.
3. Choose a Certificate Authority (CA) or Reseller: If your hosting provider doesn’t offer SSL, you’ll need to purchase one from a Certificate Authority (CA) or a trusted reseller. Popular CAs include DigiCert, Sectigo, or GeoTrust. Alternatively, you can buy SSL certificates from resellers like SSL Dragon who offer certificates from multiple CAs, allowing you to compare options.
4. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): A Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is a file containing essential information about your website, such as domain name, organization details, and location. Most web hosting control panels (e.g., cPanel) provide a simple interface to generate a CSR. This request is then sent to the CA to confirm your identity and domain ownership, and it’s necessary for issuing the SSL certificate.
5. Complete the Validation Process: CAs verify the requestor’s identity to ensure they control the domain in question. Higher-assurance certificates, like EV SSL, require more extensive checks.
6. Receive and Install the SSL Certificate: Once the CA approves the request, they will issue the SSL certificate, which you can then install on your server:
   
   Managed Hosting: Many managed hosting providers automatically handle installation.
   
   Self-Managed Hosting: In platforms like cPanel, upload the certificate to the SSL/TLS section, or manually configure it in your server’s settings.
   
   If installing manually, refer to your server documentation, as steps vary between server types (e.g., Apache, Nginx, or Microsoft IIS).
7. Test Your SSL Certificate: After installation, test your SSL certificate to ensure it’s working correctly and not triggering security warnings. Online tools like SSL Labs provide detailed SSL tests that reveal potential issues, such as insecure content or expired certificates. Testing your SSL certificate ensures data security and a seamless user experience.
8. Configure Automatic Renewals (Optional). SSL certificates are typically valid for one to two years, after which they must be renewed. To avoid disruptions:
   
   Automate Renewals: Many CAs and resellers offer automated renewal options.
   
   Set Reminders: If renewal automation isn’t available, set reminders before the expiration date.
   
   Automatic renewals reduce the risk of SSL expiration, which can lead to “Not Secure” browser warnings and a potential drop in user trust.

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Bottom Line

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is essential for data protection, user trust, and SEO benefits. Whether you need basic encryption or high-level validation, SSL Dragon offers a range of certificates from top Certificate Authorities to meet any website’s security needs. Protect your site and build credibility today with SSL Dragon’s trusted SSL solutions.