For the normal person looking to get online, searching through a web host’s website can simply be a confusing list of technological terms and abbreviations. Just one quick look at the Digital Pacific site and you will probably encounter a number of them, such as Gb, VPS and MySQL, right off the bat. Do you happen to know what all of these terms refer to?
If not, (it’s OK!) then there’s a good chance that SSL also makes that list of confusing terms, but it definitely doesn’t have to. That’s why we’re going to break it down and explain why SSL certificates are important to ANY website owner that wishes to exchange sensitive information with customers via their website.
What does an SSL certificate do?
Basically, an SSL (secure socket layer) certificate protects the information that is being transferred between a web user and the server. That information can be credit card details while making an online transaction, login details for protected pages of websites and file transfers. An SSL certificate sends the information in an encrypted form, up to 256-bit, so as to provide security to both the web user and website owner.
Do I need an SSL certificate?
If you are a website owner looking to take part in ecommerce or to provide a secure area in your site, then YES, you will need an SSL certificate!
What are the benefits of using an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate authenticates a website, providing peace of mind to your visitors as well as yourself. The benefits of using an SSL certificate include the following:
• Website authentication and business validation proof for web visitors
• Secure transactions and information transfer
• Chance for increased web sales since customers feel more comfortable
You may not realize it, but the GeoTrust seal that comes with our SSL certificates says a lot to wary online shoppers. GeoTrust provides products for more than 100,000 customers around the world, making them more than just a company, but a household name when it comes to Internet security. There are seals to match each of the different SSL certificates available that can be displayed on your website to provide immediate trust to your customers; some even have an instant click-to-verify capability. With today’s online environment swarming with hackers, scammers and identity thieves, there is every reason to invest in an SSL certificate, and no reason not to.
Beyond the seals, an SSL certificate provides a “locked” lock icon in the bottom of your browser window that will display a certificate’s information when clicked. Some certificates go as far as providing a different colour address bar that also displays the lock icon and credentials.
If you would like to learn more about the SSL certificates on offer at Digital Pacific, please take a closer look at our SSL Certificates page. As always, our sales and support teams are ready to answer any additional questions you might have.
Hopefully this aids you in understanding the SSL certificate a bit more in non-technological terms. Please do let us know if you found this article helpful by leaving a comment below!
