The Basic Of Secure Sockets Layer
Posted in Basic Webmastering on Jul 7th, 2011 |
The worldwide web can be a very surreal world where just about anything can take place. The problem is if you are an individual or a company that is running a serious business on the internet, you definitely do not want your online stuff subjected to the various negative incidents that can occur.
Things such as scams and hacks are a common day to day part of the worldwide web life. Fortunately, through constant efforts of people who want to eliminate the downside of internet technology, we have tools that can secure your business online. It is possible to keep your files confidential and inaccessible by people from the outside of your business. One effective tool for this security purpose is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
What is Secure Sockets Layer?
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is the customary technology and security protocol when it comes to internet security. It was created by Netscape and has been an internationally acclaimed tool for exchanging confidential information since then.
SSL works by establishing an encrypted connection between a browser and a web server or a website and any computer that is connecting to it. This encrypted link makes certain that all the pieces of information transferred from the web server to browsers and vice versa are kept private and confidential. Consequently, SSL has become an indispensible security tool in the internet industry. Numerous websites use this technology to ensure that their online transactions with their clients are protected and secure.
(Image Credit: Verisign – How SSL Secuirty Works)
Web servers always require an SSL certificate in order to create a Secure Sockets Layer connection. When activating SSL on a web server, the user is required to answer questions regarding the identity of his or her website or company. After that, the web server will create a public key and a private key which are cryptographic keys.
In the case of the public key, it is placed in a CSR or Certificate Signing Request— which is a data file that contains certain details— since it is not needed to be kept confidential. The user must submit the CSR after that. The process of SSL Certificate application concerns the validation of details and issuing of an SSL certificate— which has the user’s details and allows the user to use SSL— by the certification authority. The user’s web server will then match the issued SSL certificate to the private key. Subsequently, the web server will be capable of establishing an encrypted link or connection between the user’s website and clients’ browsers.
A user or client connecting to a website can tell that he or she has a secure connection with a website when the URL begins with “https” instead of “http”. The client can also see a lock icon on the lower right corner of his or her browser which can display the SSL certificate and its details.
However, the complex procedure of this protocol is not visible to the client. Also, when a browser connects to a site that utilizes SSL, the browser will automatically get that site’s SSL certificate and validate that it is not yet expired, that it was given by a certification authority trusted by the browser, and that it is used by the site for its issuance purposes. If one of these criteria is not met, the browser will warn the end user and let him or her know that the site he or she is connecting to is not secured with SSL.
More about How Secure Socket Layer Works.
Who Should Consider Using SSL?
Evidently, all the information mentioned previously suggest that SSL must be used by individuals, groups, or companies that wish to have a secure connection with their clients or any other person that connects to their website. With SSL, both the company and the client will have the assurance that the data passed in between them will be confidential.
It does not matter if you are an individual running your own business or a big corporation that has millions of customers all over the world visiting your site daily. SSL is simply for everyone who wishes to have security when exchanging sensitive information such as credit card information and banking account passwords with their clients.
What are the Benefits of SSL in Your Website?
Using SSL is very advantageous not only for you or your company but also for your customers. Just imagine the heightened sense of security your clients will get by knowing that every piece of information they give you is secured and kept confidential. You can actually attract more clients through this.
On the other hand, even though SSL enables trading of confidential information online in a secure manner, it cannot ensure that all those information will be kept confidential once it is received by the recipient. The sending process is certainly secured through SSL but once the recipient receives it, there are many other factors at play.
To address this, you have to make sure that your site has a privacy policy and that your clients actually read it before any exchange of information transpires between the two of you. This will let your clients know that both parties (you and your client) are not allowed to share confidential information to third parties or keep those information in servers that are not protected with restricted access and other online security measures. By doing this, both you and your client will be assured that all your transactions and pieces of confidential information are kept secured.
Top Web Host Reviews
Shameless Plug: Check out these popular web hosting reviews by our editors.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| iPage Review | BlueHost Review | FatCow Review | CoolHandle Review | JustHost Review |
Comments On "The Basic Of Secure Sockets Layer"
Have Your Say
Have your say! Leave us a reply and tell us what you think about this article.
Excellent overview! I came across this article researching SSL hosting, and it answered some of the questions I had. Thank you! (I like the graphic, too – pictures are always helpfulf for us visual learners!)