tech201What is Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology encrypts data transmitted between a web server and a web browser. It ensures a secure, encrypted connection in compliance with industry standards.
It enables the transmission of data over the internet securely. SSL offers users a way to communicate with the web server securely, confidentially, and with authentication.
The SSL protocol establishes a secure connection between systems on the internet, safeguarding data during transfer through encryption with digital certificates.
For example, Comodo SSL offerings, trusted by various businesses and government organizations, including banks, retailers, and online marketplaces, provide the highest-grade authentication and encryption to protect users’ data.
What is the History of SSL?
In 1995, Netscape Communications initially developed the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol to secure web traffic across the internet.
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) later established SSL as a standard and renamed it Transport Layer Security (TLS).
SSL/TLS forms the fundamental basis of how HTTPS operates, facilitating the secure transmission of data on websites. Its purpose is to protect user data, including credit card numbers, usernames, passwords, and other confidential information, during transmission.
Benefits of SSL for Web Security
The adoption of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) for web security offers many benefits for businesses and users. By utilizing an SSL certificate, businesses can secure data, protect users, and build trust.
Moreover, increased data encryption ensures that any information passing through the web server is securely transmitted. The information remains inaccessible to malicious outside sources.
How Does SSL Work?
The cryptographic protocol Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) aims to secure data transmissions over the Internet. SSL was developed to enhance security beyond basic cleartext transmission.
It achieves this by encrypting data with a unique digital encryption key specific to the website. Encryption renders the data unreadable to anyone other than the intended recipient. This ensures that only authorized parties can access the information.
SSL certificates, also serve to verify a website’s identity. These certificates are issued only after confirming the website owner’s identity. This enhances the security of data sent to or from the website.
After visiting a website with an enabled SSL certificate, users will observe a lock symbol in their browser or “HTTPS” in the address field, signaling the establishment of a secure connection.
Websites dealing with financial products, services, or sensitive data should prioritize acquiring a secure SSL certificate to safeguard their online presence.
How to Implement SSL
Implementing SSL can be straightforward, depending on the technology and infrastructure used. To begin, organizations must purchase a suitable SSL certificate. ComodoSSL offers a multitude of certificates, making it easy for businesses and individuals to find the best option for their needs.
Once the organization purchases the SSL Certificate, they need to install it on their server. This procedure varies from one server to another.
It involves basic steps such as generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), selecting the domain name, activating the certificate, and creating the private and public keys necessary to complete the process.
After installing the SSL certificate, the organization can configure the server to ensure traffic is encrypted. This includes setting up a connection with HTTPS and applying additional security measures such as HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS).
Regularly monitoring SSL encryption is also important to ensure it is properly enabled and provides the required security levels for all exchanged information.
Types of SSL Certificates
The most common and basic type of SSL certificate is the single-name certificate. Website owners use this type of certificate to secure a website with a single domain only.
More advanced SSL certificates are the Multi-Domain certificates (MDC), which allow website owners to secure multiple domains or sub-domains.
Additionally, there are Wildcard certificates used to secure a base domain name and all of its sub-domains.
For the most secure and important websites, EV (Extended Validation) certificates are available, offering the highest assurance of authenticity. Comodo offers both EV and other types of SSL certificates that can be used to keep websites secure and private.
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