ssl certificate

Today, an ssl certificate has become essential for any website, and is no longer limited to large sites as in the past. sites that do not adopt this certificate may appear unreliable to users, which affects the level of trust and reduces the possibility of them returning to it. In addition, browsers display notifications warning the user that the site is unsafe, Which prompts him to leave the site quickly.

 

What does an SSL certificate mean?

ssl certificate, which is an abbreviation for (Secure Socket Layer), is a technology that aims to encrypt the data exchanged between the site server and the user, which protects the data from any hacking attempts. With this way, information sent between the user and the server remains secure, whether it is coming from the user or coming from the server.

 

An ssl certificate is necessary to protect your website, even if it does not include sensitive information such as credit card data, because it guarantees the privacy, security, and data integrity of the website and user information.

 

In addition to its role in encrypting data, it contributes to enhancing users’ confidence in the site, which makes them spend more time browsing it and feel safe during use.

 

Benefits of SSL Certificate

1. Protecting data from theft: SSL technology protects the data that is exchanged between the browser and the website server. When this technology is activated, the data is encrypted, Which makes it safe from hacking attempts.
2. Improving website performance: When switching from HTTP to HTTPS, site performance improves by up to 50%. Search engines, such as Google, also take HTTPS into account when ranking search results.
3. Increase your site’s ranking in search engines: Since 2014, Google has relied on HTTPS as an influential factor in ranking sites in search results. This has prompted many website owners to install an SSL certificate to ensure that their sites appear in search results and do not lose visitors coming from search engines.
4. Increase user confidence: In addition to the role of the SSL certificate in encrypting data, it enhances users’ trust in the site. Many users avoid sites that do not display a secure lock sign, Which makes SSL an essential factor in building trust between the site and visitors.

 

Types of SSL certificates

There are several different types of ssl certificates,They differ depending on the level of security they provide and the purposes for which they are used. Here are the most popular types of ssl certificates:

• Domain Validation Certificate (DV)

• This certificate is the most common, as it is used to confirm domain ownership only. It is a suitable choice for personal websites or blogs, as it provides basic data encryption between the user and the site, and a lock sign appears in the browser.

• Organization Validation (OV)

• This certification requires more verification of Entity requesting the certificate, where the identity of the organization or company that owns the site is verified. It is often used for commercial websites, as it provides a higher level of security and greater trust for users.

• Extended Validation Certificate (EV) 

• It is considered the highest level of protection among SSL certificates. It requires careful and comprehensive verification procedures To ensure the identity of the owner company. It displays the company name next to the green lock in the address bar, which gives greater confidence to users, and is ideal for sites that deal with sensitive data such as online stores and banks.

• Multi Domain SSL Certificate

• It allows multiple subdomains or different sites to be secured with a single certificate, making security management easier for large organizations or companies with multiple sites.

• Wildcard SSL certificate

• Provides protection for the main domain and all its subdomains using a single certificate. It is an ideal choice for companies that have multiple subsites under the same primary domain.

• SSL certificate for subdomains (Unified Communications Certificate – UCC)

• Also known as a multi domain ssl certificate, it is used to secure multiple domains and subdomains within one certificate. It is suitable for companies that use email servers or need to secure several domains at once.

 

Each type of certificate meets specific needs depending on the level of security required and the size of the site or organization.

 

What information does an SSL certificate contain?

An ssl certificate contains several important elements to ensure the security of the connection between the user and the website. And from it:

• Public Key: It is part of the encryption process. It is used to encrypt data sent from the browser to the site’s server, where it can only be decrypted by the associated private key.

• Private Key: It is kept securely by the website server and is used to decrypt data that is encrypted with the public key. This ensures that data exchanged between the website and the user remains secure.

• Specific information of Company or organization: Some SSL certificates, such as Enterprise Verification (OV) and Extended Verification (EV) certificates, include information about the company that owns the site, such as the company’s name, address, and geographic location. This information is visible to users and helps build trust.

• Validity Period: The certificate specifies its validity period, as it is valid for a specific period (usually from one to three years). After this period expires, the certificate must be renewed to ensure continued security.

• The digital signature of the issuer: The SSL certificate is signed by a certificate authority (CA) such as Comodo or DigiCert. This signature confirms that the certificate is reliable and issued by a recognized authority, which increases its credibility.

• Certificate Chain: A certificate includes a chain of intermediate certificates that link the granted certificate to the main issuer. This series ensures trust through multiple layers of security.

• Unique Serial Number: The certificate contains a unique serial number that distinguishes it from other certificates, which makes it easy to track and ensure its validity.

• Encryption algorithms: The certificate specifies the type of encryption algorithm used, such as RSA or ECC.

 

Collecting these elements in an ssl certificate ensures users that the site is secure and allows them to connect encrypted, which protects their data while browsing.

 

How do I know that the site has an SSL certificate?

• Lock sign: Look for the lock symbol in the address bar next to the URL.
• Site address begins with HTTPS: Make sure that the site address begins with https and not http.
• Certificate details: You can click the lock icon in the address bar to see SSL certificate details, such as issuing authority information and how long the certificate is valid.
• Browser warnings: If the site does not have an SSL certificate, the browser will display a warning message indicating that the connection is not secure or the site is not protected, especially when entering sensitive information. In this case, it is recommended not to enter personal data on the site.
• Verification Tools: Use services like SSL Checker to verify the authenticity of the certificate.

How do SSL certificates work?

SSL protocols work to ensure that all data transferred between users and websites remains unreadable. These protocols rely on encryption algorithms to encrypt data as it is in transit, Which prevents hackers from viewing it during the transmission process. This data includes sensitive information that may include names, addresses, credit card numbers, and other financial details. It includes the following steps:

• The browser or server starts trying to connect to a website that is secured using SSL.

• The browser asks the web server to identify itself.

• The web server sends a copy of its SSL certificate

• The browser checks whether it trusts this certificate. If so, it sends a notification to the web server.

• The web server sends a digital acknowledgment to initiate an SSL encryption session.

• Encrypted data is shared between the browser and the web server.

 

What is the difference between an SSL and TLS certificate?

SSL and TLS are protocols used to secure communications over the Internet, but there are some key differences between them:

• History and development:

• SSL: SSL was first developed in the mid-1990s by Netscape to provide data security between the browser and the server.
• TLS: It is an update to SSL, which was first introduced in 1999. TLS aims to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities that existed in SSL.

• Versions:

• SSL: It has several versions (SSL 1.0, 2.0, 3.0) but is no longer recommended due to known security vulnerabilities.

• TLS: also has different versions (TLS 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3) and each version represents significant improvements in security and efficiency.

• Handshake process:

• SSL: The handshake process is slower and involves more steps, which affects efficiency.
• TLS: Enjoys a faster, simplified handshake, especially with TLS 1.3, which reduces the number of round-trips needed to establish a connection.

• Documentation of messages:

• SSL: Uses message authentication codes (MAC) with the MD5 hash algorithm, which has been subject to attacks.
• TLS: HMAC (Hashed Message Authentication Code) is used with modern encryption techniques, enhancing security.

 

These differences confirm that TLS is the best choice for securing data transfer on the web today. Security requirements have evolved over time, and TLS has become the gold standard for secure communications.

 

SSL/TLS certificate with code time

Code Time offers you the latest versions of the SSL/TLS certificate, as it is distinguished by providing it for free with most hosting packages. Among the advantages of this service are:

1. Modern versions: Code Time offers the latest versions of SSL/TLS certificates,this ensures high protection for your site and your visitors’ data.
2. Free Certificate: You can get the certificate without any additional costs, making it an economical choice for different sites.
3. Renewal alerts:The technical support team will alert you when the certificate is renewed, which helps you maintain the security of your site without interruption.
4. Technical support around the clock: The technical support team is available around the clock to support you with any inquiries or problems, and providing support in the Arabic language to ensure easy and comfortable communication.

 

By using an SSL/TLS certificate from CodeTime, you can enhance the security of your site and increase visitors’ trust in it, which contributes to improving the overall user experience.