What is an SSL certificate? Definition & why it matters Bryn Glover, November 6, 2023April 3, 2024 Home » Security » What is an SSL certificate? Definition & why it mattersWith online transactions, personal data sharing and information exchange becoming increasingly common online, ensuring the safety of data is critical for any website. One of the key tools for achieving this security is the SSL certificate.In this article, we’ll explore what an SSL certificate is, why it matters, and how it works to protect sensitive information online. Table of Contents What is SSL?SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is a protocol that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between a web server and a user’s browser.SSL ensures that the data exchanged between the two is protected from interception, tampering and eavesdropping.SSL has been replaced or evolved into, Transport Layer Security (TLS) in recent years, but the term SSL is still widely used.An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that verifies that a website follows the processes above. Often, SSL certification is included as part of your hosting provider’s offering.Key SSL Certification featuresThere are several important features incorporated into SSL certification. Take a look at the sections below to find out more about each.Public KeyPrivate KeyDigital signatureWebsite informationYou can click on any of the items in the list above to skip ahead.Public KeyThe public key is an important part of SSL certification used for encrypting data that is sent over the internet. The public key is accessible to anyonePrivate KeyUnlike the public key, the private key is known only to the website’s server. It is used to decrypt the data encrypted with the public key.Digital signatureThe SSL certificate includes a digital signature from the certificate authority (CA), which validates the certificate’s authenticity.Website informationThe SSL certificate contains details about the website, such as the domain name and the name of the organisation that owns the site.Why SSL Certificates matterSSL certificates perform a range of functions that support your website security. Find out more about some of them in the sections below.Data securityAuthentificationSearch engine rankingComplianceYou can click any of the options above to skip ahead for more information.Data securitySSL certificates encrypt the data that is transmitted between a user’s browser and the web server of the website they are accessing.This encryption makes it nearly impossible for would-be cybercriminals to intercept and decipher sensitive information, such as log-in credentials, credit card numbers or personal details.AuthentificationSSL certificates confirm the identity of the website. When an SSL certificate is present, users can trust that they are connecting to the legitimate website, and not to a malicious imposter that is attempting to steal their information.Search engine rankingMajor search engines, such as Google, prioritise websites with SSL certificates in their search results.This can positively impact your website’s visibility and trustworthiness and should be considered an integral part of your SEO strategy.ComplianceVarious data protection regulations and industry standards, such as GDPR and PCI DSS, require websites to use SSL certificates to safeguard user data and ensure legal compliance.Not having SSL certification can lead to larger issues down the line, and may result in you paying out legal compensation to impacted users.How SSL Certificates workFind out more about how an SSL certificate supports website security below.Handshake – When a user accesses a website with an SSL certificate, the browser and server engage in a handshake process to establish a secure connection.Encryption – Once the connection is established, the data exchanged between the user and the server is encrypted. This means that, even if it were intercepted, it would be unreadable to unauthorised parties.Data integrity – SSL certificates also ensure that the integrity of data is upheld. If any alteration or tampering occurs during transmission, the connection is terminated to protect against data manipulation.What is an SSL Certificate? Final thoughtsSSL certificates play a vital role in establishing security between websites and users by encrypting data and confirming the authenticity of websites.By using SSL certificates, website owners not only protect their users, they also build trust, comply with regulations and improve their online visibility. Bryn Glover Bryn is the founder and editor of WebsiteJumpStart. He has worked in the digital field for over a decade and was editor for Startups.co.uk - the UK's leading small business website - and for NerdWallet UK before launching WebsiteJumpStart to help people and businesses get online with ease. What is a website backup? 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