SSL Certificates are now the standard for online security. They encrypt your data so that it can’t be read by anybody except for you and the recipient. This blog post will answer three questions: what an SSL certificate is, why they’re important, and how to get one today!
What is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate, or Secure Sockets Layer certificate, is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to it. This is done by creating a secure connection between the web server and your browser. When you visit a website with an SSL certificate, your browser will display a padlock in the address bar and the URL will start with “HTTPS.”
Why are SSL Certificates important?
SSL certificates are important because they create a secure connection between the web server and browser. This helps protect your data from being intercepted by hackers. Additionally, since Google began penalizing websites without SSL certificates in 2014, having one has become increasingly important for maintaining good search engine rankings.
How to get an SSL Certificate?
To get an SSL certificate you have a number of options.
- You can purchase different types of SSL certificates directly from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). There are many different CA’s to choose from, so be sure to do your research before selecting one. Requesting and installing your certificate can get a bit technical so make sure you read through the instructions provided by the CA carefully.
- Purchase your SSL Certificate directly with your web host. Most hosting companies offer the purchasing and installation as an automated service and is the easiest way to get everythign set up and working.
- Use a free SSL CA such as Let’s Encrypt. Even though they are free these types of SSL ceritificates are very secure. Most web hosts will offer this as a free add-on to their hosting and this also is our recommended solution.
Now is the time to get an SSL Certificate! With more and more websites requiring them, it’s becoming increasingly important to have one for your own website. Not only will it help keep your data safe, but it could also improve your search engine rankings.
If you’re still not sure if an SSL certificate is right for you, or if you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to help!