Why Is An SSL Certificate So Important?
Apr 26, 2019
What is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate is a small file added to a server that encrypts data; when installed onto the server that a website is attached to, it changes the site’s URL to ‘https’ - the ‘s’ standing for secure. This means that all connections from your device to the destination server are encrypted which highly decreases the chances of personal data being stolen or hacked.
How can I tell if a website has an SSL Certificate?
A secure site is easily identifiable through the padlock shown on the left of the search bar at the top of a browser. If this padlock shows as green or ‘locked’ it means that the website is secure and has an SSL certificate.
Why is it so important to have an SSL Certificate?
It is so important to have an SSL certificate because it means that any data taken about a site user is transported with encryption. An SSL certificate protects all kinds of information that a website receives, including data from cookies. Depending on the purpose of your website, the amount of data transferred will vary. If you have an e-commerce website or a site with a contact form where people will be entering personal, important information there will be much more of a need for the data to be encrypted in order to avoid serious problems with hacking and data theft. However, this does not mean that simple information-based websites do not need an SSL certificate because data will be transferred, no matter the purpose of the website.
Having an SSL certificate can also help visitors to see your site as a website to be trusted. Most people know that the green padlock means that the website is more secure than a site without it. By having the SSL certificate on your website, it shows users that you value their privacy because your website has a secure connection.
How can I get an SSL certificate?
In order to get an SSL certificate, you will need to speak to the people who host your website as they have access to the server that your website runs off of. Ask the server hosts to add in an SSL certificate for you; you may have to pay for this. Once this has been done, your website will be redirected from an unsecured ‘http’ website address to a secure ‘https’ website address.
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