Shahid Iqbal

What exactly is an SSL certificate and how does it work? What is an SSL certificate? When you visit a website, you want to know that it's safe and that any information you share is secure. This is where SSL certificates come in. An SSL certificate is like a digital passport that proves a website is who it claims to be and creates a safe connection between your web browser and the website's server. This is important because it prevents hackers or other bad actors from intercepting the information you share, like your login details, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. You can tell if a website has an SSL certificate by looking for a padlock icon in the address bar. SSL certificates have been around for about 25 years and have gone through some changes since then. The most recent version is called TLS, but people still tend to call it SSL. Either way, the important thing to remember is that SSL (or TLS) is what keeps your online transactions and personal information safe and secure. How do SSL certificates work? Have you ever noticed the "HTTPS" in the web address of some sites? It stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure. It means that the website you're visiting is safe because it has an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. This certificate encrypts any information that you enter into the website, such as your name, address, or credit card details so that no one can read it. When you visit a website that has an SSL certificate, your browser and the webserver have to go through a process called an "SSL handshake." This process takes only a few milliseconds, but it ensures that a secure connection is established between your browser and the web server. If the website has an SSL certificate, you'll see a padlock icon in the URL address bar, which indicates that the website is safe to use. If you want to know more about the SSL certificate that a website has, you can click on the padlock icon. This will show you information such as the name of the organization where the certificate was issued, the date it was issued, and when it expires. The SSL certificate helps you to trust the website and feel reassured that your personal information is safe. Why do you need an SSL certificate? Websites need SSL certificates to keep your information safe, verify that the website is real, and make sure that nobody else can pretend to be the website you're using. If you're entering personal information like your credit card number or other important details, you want to be sure that it's kept private and secure. SSL certificates help to keep your information safe and also give you confidence that the website is trustworthy. If a website doesn't have an SSL certificate, it won't have the "https" in its web address. Instead, it will have "http" which means that it's not secure. This could make it easier for people to steal your information or do something else you don't want them to do. An SSL certificate helps to keep your information like your login details, credit card information, and personal details like your name, address, and phone number safe. It also helps to protect sensitive information like medical records, legal documents, and other confidential information. Types of SSL certificate There are various SSL certificates available with varying levels of validation. The six primary types of SSL certificates are as follows: 1. Extended Validation certificates (EV SSL). 2. Organization Validated certificates (OV SSL). 3. Domain Validated certificates (DV SSL). 4. Wildcard SSL certificates. 5. Multi-Domain SSL certificates (MDC). 6. Unified Communications Certificates (UCC). Note that each type of SSL certificate offers a different level of validation and has its unique features. Extended Validation certificates (EV SSL) An EV SSL certificate is a type of security certificate that is used by websites that collect sensitive information and facilitate online payments. It is the most advanced and expensive type of SSL certificate. When a website has an EV SSL certificate, you can see a padlock, HTTPS, business name, and country on the address bar. This helps you know that the website is secure and legitimate. To get an EV SSL certificate, the website owner has to go through a verification process to confirm that they are authorized to use the domain name. This ensures that the website is trustworthy and safe to use. Organization Validated certificates (OV SSL) This SSL certificate version provides similar assurance as the EV SSL certificate as it requires the website owner to complete a rigorous validation process. The certificate displays the website owner's information in the address bar to differentiate it from malicious sites. OV SSL certificates are the second most expensive type of certificate and are primarily used to encrypt the user's sensitive information during transactions. Commercial or public-facing websites should install an OV SSL certificate to ensure that any customer information shared remains confidential. Domain Validated certificates (DV SSL) One of the simplest and most affordable types of SSL is called a Domain Validation SSL certificate. These certificates are best suited for websites that don't require users to enter personal information or make online payments, such as blogs or informational websites. To obtain this type of certificate, website owners only need to prove that they own the domain by responding to an email or phone call. While these certificates provide basic encryption and security, they don't offer the same level of assurance as other types of certificates, and the browser address bar will only display HTTPS and a padlock, without showing the name of the business. Wildcard SSL certificates Wildcard SSL certificates are a type of certificate that allows you to secure a base domain and all of its unlimited sub-domains under one certificate. This is much more cost-effective than purchasing individual SSL certificates for each sub-domain. A Wildcard SSL certificate contains an asterisk (*) as part of the common name, which represents any valid sub-domain that shares the same base domain. For instance, if you have a Wildcard certificate for the *website, you can use it to secure a wide range of sub-domains such as: payments.yourdomain.com login.yourdomain.com mail.yourdomain.com download.yourdomain.com anything.yourdomain.com. Multi-Domain SSL Certificate (MDC) Multi-domain certificates are designed to provide security for multiple domains and sub-domain names. These certificates can cover unique domains and sub-domains, including those with different TLDs (Top-Level Domains), except local/internal ones. For instance, a Multi-Domain certificate can secure URLs such as www.example.com example.org mail.this-domain.net example.anything.com.au checkout.example.com secure.example.org It's important to note that Multi-Domain certificates don't support sub-domains by default. If you need to secure both www.example.com and example.com with a single Multi-Domain certificate, you must specify both hostnames when obtaining the certificate. Unified Communications Certificate (UCC) Unified Communications Certificates (UCC) are SSL certificates that can secure multiple domain names on a single certificate, making them a type of Multi-Domain SSL certificate. Initially, UCCs were designed to secure Microsoft Exchange and Live Communications servers, but today, any website owner can use them. These certificates are organizationally validated and will display a padlock on a browser, providing users with assurance that their connection is secure. UCCs can also be used as EV SSL certificates, which is the highest level of SSL certificates as it displays a green address bar on the browser. It is important to understand the different types of SSL certificates to choose the right one for your website. sHow can I get an SSL certificate? SSL certificates are important for secure and trusted online interactions. You can get them from Certificate Authorities (CAs), which issue millions of SSL certificates every year. There are different levels of security, and the cost of an SSL certificate can vary from free to hundreds of dollars. To get an SSL certificate, you need to prepare your server and update your information to match your company details. Your hosting company can help you generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), which you submit to the Certificate Authority for validation. Once the process is complete, you receive the certificate, which you need to install on your website or server. The time it takes to get your certificate depends on the type of certificate and the provider you choose. A simple Domain Validation SSL certificate can be issued within minutes, while Extended Validation can take up to a week. Is it possible to use a single SSL certificate on multiple servers? Did you know that you can use one SSL certificate to secure multiple websites on the same server? Some certificate vendors even allow you to use one SSL certificate on multiple servers. This is possible with Multi-Domain SSL certificates, which are specifically designed to work with multiple domains. They are different from single-domain SSL certificates, which can only secure one domain. Multi-domain SSL certificates are also known as SAN certificates, which stand for Subject Alternative Name. Essentially, a multi-domain certificate has additional fields that can be used to list additional domains that you want to secure under one certificate. Other types of certificates such as Unified Communications Certificates (UCCs) and Wildcard SSL Certificates allow you to secure multiple domains and subdomains. What happens when an SSL certificate expires? Did you know that SSL certificates do expire? They don't last forever! An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that verifies the identity of a website and ensures that all communication between the website and the user's browser is secure. The Certificate Authority/Browser Forum regulates the SSL industry and states that SSL certificates should have a lifespan of no more than 27 months, which means two years plus up to three months if you renew with time remaining on your previous SSL certificate. The reason SSL certificates expire is that they need to be periodically re-validated to ensure that they are still accurate. Companies and websites change hands, and as a result, the information relevant to SSL certificates also changes. The expiry period ensures that the information used to authenticate servers and organizations is up-to-date and accurate. In the past, SSL certificates could be issued for as long as five years, which was subsequently reduced to three years, and most recently to two years plus a potential extra three months. In 2020, Google, Apple, and Mozilla announced that they would enforce one-year SSL certificates, despite this proposal being voted down by the Certificate Authority Browser Forum. This took effect in September 2020. When an SSL certificate expires, it makes the website unreachable. If you arrive at a website and the SSL certificate has expired, you will receive a message saying "This site is not secure. Potential risk ahead." Although it is possible to proceed, it is not advisable to do so, as there are cybersecurity risks involved, including the possibility of malware. Keeping track of when SSL certificates expire can be challenging for larger businesses. While smaller businesses may have only one or a few certificates to manage, larger organizations that transact across markets will have many more. The best way for larger businesses to keep on top of when their SSL certificates expire is by using a certificate management platform. This allows enterprises to see and manage digital certificates across their entire infrastructure. If an SSL certificate expires, it becomes invalid, and you will no longer be able to run secure transactions on your website. The Certification Authority (CA) will prompt you to renew your SSL certificate before the expiration date. To ensure you don't forget to renew your SSL certificate, the Certificate Authority or SSL service you use will send you expiration notifications at set intervals, usually starting at 90 days out. It's important to ensure that these reminders are being sent to an email distribution list, rather than a single individual, to ensure that the right people see the reminders at the right time. How can I determine if a website has an SSL certificate? To check if a website has an SSL certificate, simply look at the address bar in your browser. If the URL starts with HTTPS, instead of HTTP, it means that the site is secured with an SSL certificate. Secure sites are represented by a closed padlock symbol that you can click to view the security details. The most trustworthy sites will display green padlocks or address bars. Browsers will also display warning signs if a connection is not secure, such as a red padlock, an open padlock, a line crossing through the website's address, or a warning triangle on top of the padlock symbol. How can you ensure that your online session is secure? When you shop or do anything online, it's important to protect your personal information and avoid scams. Here are some tips to help you stay safe: Only give your personal information and payment details on websites that have EV or OV certificates. These certificates show that the website is secure and trustworthy. You can tell if a website has one of these certificates by looking at the address bar on your web browser. Make sure you see the organization's name and details before entering any personal information. Always read the privacy policy of the website you're using. This will tell you how your information will be used. Legitimate companies will be clear about what they do with your information. Look for trust signals on websites. These include security badges and logos that show the website meets specific security standards. Also, check for a physical address and phone number, and make sure the prices are reasonable. Be aware of phishing scams. These are fake websites that try to trick you into giving them your personal information. They can look just like real websites, so be careful. Check the domain name of the website and make sure it's spelled correctly. If you're not sure, type the website name directly into your browser. Never enter your personal information unless you're sure the website is safe. Keep your devices protected. Use a good antivirus program and make sure it's up to date. Kaspersky Internet Security is a great option that checks URLs against a database of phishing sites. By following these tips, you'll be able to protect yourself and your personal information when you're online.