SSL Certificate
A digital certificate that enables encrypted connections between a web server and browser.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates enable HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP. They encrypt data transmitted between visitors and your website, protecting sensitive information.
What SSL Provides:
- Encryption: Data can't be read if intercepted
- Authentication: Proves your site's identity
- Trust Signals: Shows padlock icon in browsers
- SEO Benefit: Google prefers HTTPS sites
Types of SSL Certificates:
DV (Domain Validation):
- Verifies domain ownership only
- Issued in minutes
- Cheapest option (often free)
- Good for most websites
OV (Organization Validation):
- Verifies business identity
- Takes 1-3 days to issue
- Moderate cost
- Better for business sites
EV (Extended Validation):
- Highest verification level
- Shows company name in browser
- Takes 1-2 weeks to issue
- Highest cost
- Best for e-commerce, banking
Getting SSL:
- Free: Let's Encrypt, Cloudflare
- Included: Many hosts include free SSL
- Paid: For OV/EV certificates
Technical Note: SSL is technically outdated—TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the modern standard. However, "SSL certificate" remains the common term.
Why It Matters
SSL is no longer optional. Browsers mark HTTP sites as 'Not Secure,' Google penalizes them in rankings, and visitors don't trust sites without the padlock. It's essential for any website.
Practical Example
When you visit https://example.com, your browser and the server exchange SSL certificates. The padlock icon appears, and all data you send (passwords, payment info) is encrypted.
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