Digitization of consumers’ lives and enterprises may have its benefits. But according to research from leading market analysts, the digitization also increased the cost of data breaches. Consequently, the financial loss due to cybercrimes is predicted to exceed $2 Trillion by 2019.
Web security experts and web hosting companies have already started rolling out guidelines to web owners to educate them on fortifying their digital defenses. Tech behemoths like Google have implemented advanced firewalls to protect their web assets from cyber-attacks. The search engine giant also recommended measures to protect web properties. Among those, the two most significant measures include:
- Migrating to HTTPS
- Using SSL to secure confidential data and keep them safe from cyber intrusions
SSL and How it Works
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) was introduced by Netscape as an encryption technology to encrypt the connections between web servers and the viewers’ web browsers. SSL secures the connections ensuring safe data transfers, and protects the data from intrusions, tampering, and forgery.
In a nutshell, an SSL certificate is basically a padlock with a cryptographic key. The ‘padlock’ is a combination of small data files that can be installed on a web server. Once installed, the file invokes https protocol and activates the ‘padlock’ to secure connections from a server to a web browser.
To put it in technical terms, SSL certificates use two public keys and one private key. The public keys secure the connection with encryptions while the private key decrypts. The keys add one additional layer of protection to your data, securing your messages from the rest of the world, and from cyber threats.
Types of SSL Certificates
Your web hosting company can give you these 5 types of SSL certificates using the same standard encryption methods. However, each type has its own requirements.
- Single Domain SSL: Like the name says, this certificate protects only a single domain, and therefore an ideal option for small websites that mostly post content. An eCommerce website with a single domain for all transactions can use this SSL certificate for excellent security.
- Multi Domain SSL: A multi domain SSL or SAN (Subject Alternative Names) can encrypt an entire suite of websites – multiple similar domains. However, there is generally a cap on the number of websites this SSL can encrypt, which is decided by the domain registrar.
- Organization SSL: This certificate is akin to Single Domain SSL and can authenticate an organization’s identity. The certificate also encrypts the payment components of an organization’s website.
- Wildcard SSL: This is an ideal option for transaction-heavy websites. It can comprehensively encrypt every subdomain of a single domain.
- Extended SSL: The Extended SSL is the one that grants the most security among all types of SSL certificates. The certificate not only verifies the domain but also checks the legal aspects of the website. Have you ever noticed green address bars for some websites while browsing? That’s an extended SSL.
These are 5 important SSL certificates your website can use. Buying one is quite hassle-free, and you can set one up by contacting a domain registrar. You can also have a reputed web hosting company do it for you.
