SSL Certificate From Semalt


Table of Contents

  1. WHAT IS AN SSL CERTIFICATE?
  2. WHAT IS THE NEED FOR AN SSL CERTIFICATE?
  3. TYPES OF SSL CERTIFICATES
  4. CLASSIFICATION OF SSL CERTIFICATES
  5. HOW TO FIND WHETHER A WEBSITE IS SECURED?
  6. HTTPS AND SEO. IS THERE ANY RELATION?
  7. SSL CERTIFICATE FROM SEMALT. IS IT DIFFERENT?
  8. CONCLUSION
Exploring a website has always been an easy task, but not keeping your information safe. Someone might steal personal data is a common worry all over the world.

Surfing the internet is still not 100% safe, but one thing that has deteriorated the fear of theft significantly is the SSL certificate.

Today web browsers also show security alerts for the sites not having an SSL certificate. Such warnings prevent most users from moving forward.

It has different meanings for users as well as for business/ website owners. From the users' perspective, such alerts seem good. They feel that the warning has prevented a virus attack on their device or theft of their information.

A business's website without an SSL certificate is enough to kill its online presence. Because of the warnings by browsers, most users won't even open that business's website.

Today, you are going to learn not only many things about SSL certificate but also why getting an SSL certificate from reliable sources, like Semalt, is right. 

What is an SSL Certificate?

In SSL certificate, SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a digital certificate that authenticates websites and allows data integrity as well as data encryption on them.

It is used for the security of sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, details of credit cards, and other such data sent and received around the internet. 

You can identify a website with an SSL certificate by looking at the address bar. You'll see a secured hypertext transfer protocol (HTTPS) instead of the regular one (HTTP).

You may often come across the term TLS certificate while learning about SSL certificates. Let's see what it is.

TLS Certificate

TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the SSL's successor protocol. It works like SSL but in an improved way.

It also provides encryption to guard the transfer of information and data over the internet. Like SSL, the URLs of websites or webpages secured with TLS are also branded with HTTPS.

What is the Need for an SSL Certificate?

There are always security risks when websites and personal devices connect via the internet. An SSL certificate makes sure that the connection between websites and devices is secure and no information is stolen.

A security certificate also makes a website trustworthy and protect users from falling in traps of scammers.

Below are some of the many types of information an SSL certificate secures:
  • Usernames and Passwords
  • Bank Account Details
  • Credit Card Details as well as Transactions
  • Proprietary Information
  • Personal Information - full name, date of birth, address, or contact number
  • Medical Records
  • Contracts and other Legal Documents

Types of SSL Certificates

Depending upon the security integrity, three types of SSL certificates exist. If you own a website and looking for an SSL certificate, you must understand these three types of certificates.

It will help you decide what kind of certificate will satisfy your needs. Let's have a look at them:

1. Domain Validation (DV)  

These are simple SSL certificates and are issued after verifying the website's owner. To verify the owner's identity, Certificate Authorities (CA) send a verification email to the registered email of the website.

There is no need to verify the company's identity in the case of Domain Validated Certificates. You should also note that these easily obtainable certificates provide the lowest level of security. That's why cybercriminals use them the most to create unsafe websites that look secure.

2. Organization Validation (OV)

These certificates provide a moderate level of security. An Organization Validation Certificate is issued only when the Certificate Authorities (CA) validate information like the organization, domain name of its website, physical location, and other similar things.

These certificates are best for websites dealing with less sensitive transactions. Remember, the validation process of OV certificates usually takes 1-3 days.

3. Extended Validation (EV)

An Extended Validation Certificate provides the highest level of security and is mandatory for websites handling sensitive information. 

A website with this certificate is considered most trustworthy. To issue this certificate, Certificate Authorities (CA) perform the applicant's detailed review. 

While reviewing, the authorities examine the corporate documents, confirm the applicant's identity, and verify its information via an unbiased source/ database.

Classification of SSL Certificates

Based on their usage, SSL certificates are classified into the following three types:

1. Single Domain SSL Certificate

As the name suggests, this type of SSL certificate applies to a single domain. This certificate secures all pages falling under this domain, but you can't use it to authenticate any subdomain of that domain.   

2. Wildcard SSL Certificate

A Wildcard SSL certificate secures not only a domain but also all the subdomains falling under it. If users want to know about the subdomains secured by a Wildcard SSL certificate, they can click on the padlock in their web browser's address bar. Next, they should click on the "Certificate" (in Google Chrome) to see the details. 

3. Multi-Domain SSL Certificate (MDC)

An MDC is an SSL certificate that provides security to multiple domains. Domains that are not even subdomains can share the same SSL certificate.

If you own multiple websites and want a single certificate to secure all of them, go for a Multi-Domain SSL Certificate. 

If you want a customized and dedicated SSL certificate, get in touch with a reliable certificate provider.  

How to find whether a website is secured?

To find whether a website is secured by an SSL certificate, you just need to look at the address bar in your browser. If the first thing over there is a padlock and the site's address starts with https, rest assured the website is secured by an SSL.

If you want to go a step further and know whether a website has a robust SSL certificate or not, again look at the URL bar of your browser. If you see a padlock, click on it. You'll see who this certificate belongs to and other information. To learn more details, click on the respective field.

HTTPS and SEO. Is there any relation?

It is commonly known that Google's SEO ranking algorithms are ever-changing. On December 17, 2015, Google started prioritizing HTTPS pages. 

The availability of an SSL certificate on websites starts with HTTPS. It signifies that the website is trustworthy and will get an SEO lift.

Suppose that there are two websites (one starting with HTTP, and another with HTTPS) and their content is about the same thing, let's say eco-friendly products. 

If you keep all other ranking factors constant, then the website starting with HTTPS, or better say having an SSL certificate, will rank higher on the search results page of Google. 

Webmasters must ensure the correct implementation of SSL certificates as it will lead to the increased number of visitors and enhanced ranking in search engines.

SSL Certificate from Semalt. Is It Different?

SSL certificate from Semalt is similar to those offered by other sources. The difference is in the kind of service and ease of installation provided by Semalt.

Semalt offers three kinds of plans:

1. Basic

The basic plan is for the time when you already have an SSL certificate, but it is not installed on your site. This plan offers SSL installation as well as HTTPS support.

2. Standard

Also famous as the best deal, the standard plan provides the most value. It is because this plan includes a positive SSL certificate from Comodo along with installation. 

Comodo's Positive SSL certificates provide a high-level of security. They follow the paperless validation procedure, but the most important thing is their installation from Semalt. Your site gets a padlock and becomes highly secure within a few minutes.

3. Premium

This plan also ensures a high level of security. It includes a Positive SSL Wildcard certificate for your website, its subdomain, and installation for all.

If you are running an eCommerce store or have multiple subdomains to your site, go for the Premium plan from Semalt.

With the installation of every SSL certificate from Semalt, you'll get:

  • Robust security for your domain and subdomains (in case of Premium plan)
  • Quick installation of SSL certificate
  • A padlock or similar sign of security on all web browsers
  • Privacy protection surety to all people visiting your website
  • Increased organic traffic, especially from Google SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages)

Conclusion

In the online world, protection against information theft is the biggest concern. An SSL certificate fades a lot of security-related worries of both website owners and users/ visitors. 

Whether your website represents an eCommerce store, financial institution, or large enterprise, an SSL certificate is a must-have.

It makes your site trustworthy and provides security if your site deals with sensitive customer information, such as usernames, passwords, payment details, addresses, etc.

As Google also gives preference to a secured website or webpage, an SSL certificate from a trustworthy source can improve the much-required SEO ranking of your website.


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