You’ve likely seen “HTTPS” in front of a website address before. But what does that mean? And why should you care?
Simply put, an SSL certificate is a way to add security to your website by encrypting information between your site and visitors’ web browsers.
In other words, it helps keep your site safe from hackers.
An SSL certificate is a must-have if you’re running a small business website.
Here’s everything you need to know about SSLs and what they can do for your website.
Encrypt Communication
Securing website communications is an ever-important task, and SSL certificates are vital.
When a user visits a site that uses an SSL certificate, their browser can establish a secure connection with the server.
This means that data shared between the two will remain encrypted even if intercepted, ensuring malicious third parties cannot access personal and financial information.
This is especially important for online banking sites, shopping sites, and other websites where users share sensitive information.
SSL certificate providers offer varying encryption options depending on the security needs of the areas they protect.
Acquiring an SSL certificate for your website is one of the most effective methods of keeping users’ data safe and secure in today’s digital world.
Protect Sensitive Information
In a world interconnected by the web, security becomes increasingly important for websites collecting personal and sensitive data.
SSL certificates provide website owners with a way to encrypt data, ensuring that any information transmitted remains confidential for both the sender and receiver.
Furthermore, encrypted transactions help authenticate website identity so customers can transact safely with businesses they say they are.
Without an SSL certificate, websites handling personal information could easily be exposed to malicious actors attempting to steal confidential data.
So such websites must have this protection in place.
SSL Certificates Help To Build Trust
When securing data in a digital world, SSL certificates are essential.
These digital certificates help to securely identify the website and its owner by authenticating their connection.
This allows visitors to trust that their information is safely transferred and stored as they use the website.
Web Browsers Warn Users If A Website Does Not Have An SSL Certificate.
Many internet users expect their private data to be secure when they use a website, so it’s no surprise that web browsers are taking extra precautions regarding their safety.
Many of the most popular browsers now alert their users if the website they are attempting to access does not have an SSL certificate.
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates protect and encrypt data on websites so that sensitive information remains private and secure as it passes back and forth between the browser and a web server.
While this may result in some frustration for users having to acknowledge the warnings, it is ultimately beneficial for everyone involved by helping to ensure online security.
Additionally, many browsers will show a lock icon beside the address bar if the website has an SSL certificate installed (check our domain right now).
They are seeing this icon can give users extra peace of mind that their information is safe and secure.
By building this trust with users, companies can create loyalty with their customers, which can be invaluable for business owners.
Getting An SSL Is Simple & Inexpensive
SSL certificates are a great way to ensure website security and defend your business from cyber-attacks.
Obtaining one is surprisingly simple and inexpensive, with providers offering varying levels of coverage for various prices.
If you’re looking for an SSL certificate, shop around to get the best deal that meets your needs – there are many reliable providers with competitive prices.
Remember that some packages may require additional maintenance to keep up-to-date, so be sure to factor this into your decision on a provider.
Sloane Web Services offers SSL Certificates at no added cost as part of our small business hosting and maintenance plans for our clients.
Install SSL On Your Web Server.
Installing an SSL certificate is often the most critical step when protecting sensitive data transmitted over your web server.
An SSL certificate creates a secure connection between the browser and your website, ensuring safe communication for sensitive data such as financial details or personal information over an HTTPS connection.
This ensures that the data is encrypted at both ends and is protected from hacking attempts.
Installing the SSL certificate correctly is paramount and can be done through the web server control panel, although it may also require modifications to your web server’s configuration files.
Once correctly installed, you’ll be one step closer to securing your website and providing an optimal experience for users.
Your current hosting provider should be able to instruct you on how to do this.
If you are having an issue doing this, please don’t hesitate to contact us for help.
Conclusion
If your website handles sensitive information, you must have an SSL certificate.
These certificates encrypt communication between your site and a user’s browser, ensuring that data cannot be intercepted or stolen.
Not only does this protect your users’ information, but it also helps to build trust – users are more likely to do business with a website that appears safe and secure.
Furthermore, many web browsers will now show a warning if a user visits a site without an SSL certificate, which could lead to lost traffic and sales.
Luckily, SSL certificates are usually simple and inexpensive to obtain – you can purchase one from any number of providers.
Once you have your certificate, you’ll need to install it on your web server.
If you’re unsure how to do this or need assistance securing your website, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We would be happy to help!