How Is a Website Made Secure?
Have you ever noticed when browsing the web, your browser’s address bar sometimes changes to green and shows a padlock? That’s HTTPS. This green padlock is becoming extremely important as more of your online security is eroded.
HTTPS is a secure version of HHTP. Its stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. The ‘Secure’ indicates that communications are encrypted between your browser and the website. Website that contain confidential data through online banking or shopping, are likely to have HTTPS to protect these files.
How Does HTTPS Work?
To encrypt communications, websites with HTTPS use a secure protocol like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). This type of system uses two a ‘Private Key’ and a ‘Public Key’ to encrypt communications. Anything which is encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted by the private key and visa versa.
The ‘public key’ is available to any client who wishes to transmit data securely to the server.
What is an SSL Certificate?
One of the most important factors if an online business, is creating that trust between a customer and the business, and giving the customer confidence when they’re making a purchase. SSL is a form of security for websites that use confidential information. The system creates a safe and private connection between the server of the company that they are working with, and a browser. For sites that sell products, an SSL is vital. It certifies that all information which is stored is kept private and protected.
What are the Benefits of Having an SSL?
Provides Authentication
The main function of an SSL Certificate is to make sure the information is only viewed by the planned audience, by encrypting it. A server certificate is also supplied when an SSL Certificate is purchased. This protection shows that the SSL Certificate can be trusted. Logins, passwords and account details are all protected with an SSL, and all information is encrypted before it is submitted. This means that only the web server and the website visitor have personal codes to recognise it.
An SSL Certificate meets Payment Card Industry Compliance Standards.
It’s essential for an online business to have an SSL Certificate with the right encryption to meet Payment Card Industry compliance. Payment Card Industry standards very that the certificate is from a reliable source, and provides a private connection on pages which contain any confidential information. If a site does not have a certificate which meets those standards, it will not be able to take payments via credit cards.
Boosts Search Rankings
Google stated that having an SSL Certificate on your website will increase your ranking position. Having a website that has a URL starting with https will give you ranking advantages in search engines.
Having an SSL Makes Your Website Look More Professional
SSL Certificates adds professionalism to any site using it, and is a great way to endorse how safe your platform is. This is highly true for e-commerce sites which contain highly sensitive data including card details. PCI (Payment Card Industry) standards require that online payments through SSL have at least 128-bit encryption, making online transactions as safe as possible.
Find out how to secure your website.
Improves Customer Trust
These components work together, creating a strong trust between a business and a customer. A customer’s confidence will be highly improved if you provide them with reassurance for all their confidential information.
With all these benefits, getting an SSL Certificate is worth it. Online shoppers will want reassurance that all their confidential information is safe and protected, and getting a secure SSL is the best way to give your customers that trust.
