Why ssl is needed

While the primary purpose of SSL is securing information between the visitor and your website, there are benefits for SEO as well.

In addition, let's say two websites are similar in the content provided but one has SSL enabled and the other doesn't. That first website may receive a slight rank boost because it's encrypted. When you visit a website with SSL, there are a few distinct differences that display within the browser. Click here for a free SSL checker tool.

The URL should look something like the screenshot below. Remember, an SSL-encrypted website will always have that "s" that stands for "secure. The padlock will show up on the left- or right-hand side of the URL bar, depending on your browser.

For example, on Chrome and Safari, it'll be on the left. You can click on the padlock to read more information about the website and the company that provided the certificate. In most cases, a site that displays as https will be secure but, if you encounter a site that asks for a lot of personal information, it may be worth double-checking to be sure the certificate is valid.

From there you will need to navigate to the Security tab to see if the SSL certificate is valid or expired. If you click the View certificate button, you will be able to see more information about the SSL certificate and the specific date it's valid through. The next time you visit a website, check its encryption status. I love knowing that by clicking a little padlock, I can see if my data is secure. On the flip side, if you are a part of a business that doesn't have SSL certificates, make them a part of your next goal set, so you can protect your customers' data and privacy.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in June and has been updated for comprehensiveness. Originally published Jun 18, PM, updated January 22 Logo - Full Color.

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Why HubSpot? Marketing Sales Service Website. Sometimes cyber attackers create websites that mimic existing websites to trick people into purchasing something or logging in to their phishing site. It is possible for a phishing site to obtain an SSL certificate and therefore encrypt all the traffic that flows between you and it.

A growing proportion of phishing scams occur on HTTPS sites — deceiving users who feel reassured by the padlock icon's presence. Cybersecurity risks continue to evolve but understanding the types of SSL certificates to look out for and how to distinguish a safe site from a potentially dangerous one will help internet users avoid scams and protect their personal data from cybercriminals.

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What is an SSL certificate? How do SSL certificates work? The process works like this: A browser or server attempts to connect to a website i. The browser or server requests that the web server identifies itself.

The web server sends the browser or server a copy of its SSL certificate in response. The browser or server checks to see whether it trusts the SSL certificate. If it does, it signals this to the webserver. The web server then returns a digitally signed acknowledgment to start an SSL encrypted session.

Encrypted data is shared between the browser or server and the webserver. Details typically included within SSL certificates include: The domain name that the certificate was issued for Which person, organization, or device it was issued to Which Certificate Authority issued it The Certificate Authority's digital signature Associated subdomains Issue date of the certificate The expiry date of the certificate The public key the private key is not revealed Why you need an SSL certificate Websites need SSL certificates to keep user data secure, verify ownership of the website, prevent attackers from creating a fake version of the site, and convey trust to users.

An SSL certificate helps to secure information such as: Login credentials Credit card transactions or bank account information Personally identifiable information — such as full name, address, date of birth, or telephone number Legal documents and contracts Medical records Proprietary information Types of SSL certificate There are different types of SSL certificates with different validation levels.

Wildcard SSL certificates Wildcard SSL certificates allow you to secure a base domain and unlimited sub-domains on a single certificate. For example: www. Obtaining your SSL involves the following steps: Prepare by getting your server set up and ensuring your WHOIS record is updated and matches what you are submitting to the Certificate Authority it needs to show the correct company name and address, etc.

This is an action your hosting company can assist with. Submitting this to the Certificate Authority to validate your domain and company details Installing the certificate they provide once the process is complete. Can an SSL certificate be used on multiple servers? What happens when an SSL certificate expires? Secure sites show a closed padlock emblem, which you can click on to see security details — the most trustworthy sites will have green padlocks or address bars.

Browsers also show warning signs when a connection is not secure — such as a red padlock, a padlock which is not closed, a line going through the website's address, or a warning triangle on top of the padlock emblem.

How to ensure your online session is safe Only submit your personal data and online payment details to websites with EV or OV certificates. To avoid these kinds of attacks: Always examine the domain of the site you are on and ensure it is spelled correctly.

The URL of a fake site might differ by only one character — e. If in doubt, type the domain directly into your browser to make sure you are connecting to the website you intend to visit.

Full disclosure: SiteGround is a Let's Encrypt sponsor. Formed by a group of professionals from leading IT companies, Let's Encrypt has managed to revolutionize website security by making it easy and free!

And the company also recently released Wildcard SSL certificates for free. Still, in some circumstances, it is better if you use paid Certificate Authority.

If you have an enterprise-level site or multiple sites , consider using an EV certificate. The EV certificate has a strict authentication process and will add even more visible indicators of trust like the name of your company, country abbreviation, green bar in the URL of the browser and more.

To sum up, the benefits of activating SSL certificates for your business or personal websites are incredible, and some web hosting providers have made installing them easy and quick.

This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here. SSL certificates have been a ranking factor since but as time goes on and Google works toward a more secure internet, their importance has grown. This is a good thing for your business, as it gives you a competitive advantage against businesses who do not have an SSL certificate on their site. Authentication helps verify ownership of your website. Believe it or not, there are people out there that make replicas of websites and divert traffic in an effort to steal from you.

Most people know that they need to check for the green lock in the URL window before entering personal information into a website. But you can go one step further and verify the SSL certificate to make sure your visitors know their information is safe on your site. If your website is not secure, people who are technologically inclined can tamper with the data relayed from your server back to the client.