SSL Certificates

SSL certificates work by establishing a secure and encrypted connection between a user’s web browser and the web server hosting the website. This secure connection is achieved through a process called SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security) protocol.

When a user visits a website with SSL enabled, their web browser requests a secure connection from the web server. The server then responds by sending its SSL certificate to the user’s browser. The certificate contains the website’s public key, which is used to encrypt any data sent between the user’s browser and the server.

The user’s web browser then checks the SSL certificate to make sure it’s valid and issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). If the certificate is valid, the web browser creates a unique session key, which is used to encrypt and decrypt all data sent between the user’s web browser and the server.

This process ensures that any data exchanged between the user and the website is protected from interception or tampering by third parties.

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The steps to install an SSL certificate vary from server to server. Generally, after you receive the SSL certificate files from your Certificate Authority via email, you need to download them on your local device and then upload them on the website’s server you intend to secure.

You can do this directly from your web hosting panel interface or with OpenSSL through a command-line interface (CLI) or terminal. Here’s how a typical SSL installation works:

• Download the ZIP archive from your CA containing the SSL files. Extract the archive’s contents on your device.
• Upload the server certificate (issued for your domain name) and the CA Bundle files with root and intermediate certs on your server.
• Enforce HTTPS across all your website.
• On our website, you will find in-depth, step-by-step tutorials on how to install an SSL certificate. We cover over 80 platforms, from web servers and hosting panels to networks, firewalls, and VPNs.

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Several types of SSL certificates are available, each with different levels of validation and features.Here are the most popular ones:

Domain Validation (DV) Certificates -verify domain ownership only but do not validate an organization’s identity. These are the most basic and affordable SSL certs.

Organization Validated (OV) Certificates – validate the domain and organization, providing higher customer trust. OV certificates are the perfect choice for businesses that collect sensitive information from users.

Extended Validation (EV) Certificates – offer the highest assurance for visitors that the website is authentic. EV certs require a rigorous vetting process and protect brands against phishing attacks.

Wildcard SSL Certificates – cover a domain and all its subdomains, allowing you to secure multiple subdomains with a single certificate.

Multi-Domain SSL Certificates – protect multiple domains under a single SSL installation. Multi-domain certs come with 1-3 domains by default and up to 250 additional SANs.

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The type of SSL certificate you need depends on the specific requirements of your website or web application. Consider the validation level required, the number of domains and subdomains you intend to secure, and your budget.

With so many SSL certificates on the market, choosing the right one for your project may require thorough research. Thankfully, there’s a faster option: Our SSL Wizard can recommend the ideal SSL solution for your website and budget. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions about requirements and preferences, and the tool will display several SSL certificates to choose from.

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