How SSL certificate works?

How does an SSL certificate work?

First and foremost, it requires the user to securely and effectively connect the browser used by them and the web server. When the site is linked securely by virtue of SSL, the user’s browser, at visiting any site, then makes a request for the SSL certificate of the site from the web server. When the server sends the certificate, the browser validates it. Then, it forms an encrypted link. With that in place, the communication will be well secure from different kinds of threats, including interception, keyloggers, man-in-the-middle attacks, and so on-these kinds of threats are those that compromise sensitive user data during browsing activities, such as login credentials and payment information.

• Accessing the Web Server: When the browser connects to the Web Server, it triggers the user to open the website.
  
  
• Sending the Certificate by the Server: The server, in response to the connection request, provides to the browser a copy of the SSL certificate.
  
  
• Validation of the Certificate: The validation of this certificate is done on the basis of trust related to the certificate by the browser. This involves checking if the issuing authority is a secure certificate authority, whether it has expired, or whether it has been revoked.
  
  
• Set Up Encryption: After validation, the browser creates a session key, encrypts it using the web server’s public key, and then sends it back to the server for access.
  
  
• Secured Connection: The server then decrypts the session key using the server’s private key. The browser and server now share the session key enabling them to secure all data transferred.
  
  
• Secret Data Transfer: Since encrypted data is transmitted back and forth between the browser and server, it remains secure and private.
  
  

It would guarantee that no person can intercept extremely sensitive data, such as login credentials, personal information, or payment details.

 

Table Of Content

Introduction to SSL Certificates

It encrypts all communications between the user and the website. The information being sent can’t be read or tampered with, as it is secure between both parties. Once a successful SSL connection has been initiated, a small padlock icon is visible in the address bar of the user’s web browser. Furthermore, SSL protected websites will have only URLs beginning with “https” instead of “http” for those websites that are protected by an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate, thus, holds a very firm importance in securing sensitive information and trust for any user.

Why do I Need an SSL certificate?

An SSL certificate provides encryption and authentication for your website. This secures communications between your site and its visitors. Thereby making it less likely for fraudulent people to be able to intercept sensitive information like login credentials and payment details. Furthermore, having an SSL certificate inspires confidence and trust among visitors as it assures them that your website is safe. An SSL certificate is essential for your website. This gives encryption and authenticity to secure the communication between your site and your visitors, thus protecting sensitive information like login credentials and payment details from being intercepted by malicious actors. It also improves your site’s credibility and trustworthiness by showing a padlock icon in the address bar of your browser and thereby initiating URLs with https://.

And also it will increase

• The security of sensitive information would be kept away from detection or abuse.
  
  
• Trust: Builds trust and credibility with website visitors.
  
  
• SEO: The Google search engine and the other search engines align themselves in favor of safe sites (https) in their search results.
  
  
• Compliance: Enables websites to adhere to data protection standards and industry regulations.

Benefits of SSL Certificates

• Security keeps private information safe from detection or abuse.
• Trust: Enhances trust and credibility with website visitors.
• SEO: Google and other search engines prioritize secure websites (https) in search results.
• Compliance: Helps websites comply with data protection regulations and industry standards.

How to Get a Free SSL Certificate On WordPress

Here are some recommendations for free SSL providers:

When it comes to free SSL certificate providers, here are some reliable options:

1. Let Us Encrypt: Free SSL certificates are offered by Let Us Encrypt, a nonprofit certificate authority. Millions of web pages trust it and utilize it extensively.
   
   
2. Really Simple SSL: This lightweight WordPress plugin simplifies SSL setup. It automatically detects your site’s settings and configures SSL using Let’s Encrypt if needed.
   
   
3. ZeroSSL: ZeroSSL offers free SSL certificates for life, making it another great choice.
   
   
4. SSL For Free: As the name suggests, SSL For Free provides forever-free SSL certificates.

Remember to choose the one that best fits your needs and integrates seamlessly with your hosting provider or website builder! 

Of those four, which one is the best SSL certificate provider?

• If you have a WordPress site, Really Simple SSL is excellent due to its simplicity and seamless integration.
• Let’s Encrypt remains a top choice for non-WordPress sites for its widespread adoption and robust security.

Which one is the best SSL certificate provider in WordPress?

Really Simple SSL is the most user-friendly and lightweight plugin available for WordPress to secure the sites. It makes it easy to set up SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) on your WordPress site. Here is why it is the right choice:

• Simple Implementation: As soon as you activate Really Simple SSL, it checks your site settings and, if needed, it automatically generates an SSL certificate using Let’s Encrypt. This means that switching from HTTP to HTTPS happens, with a few simple clicks.
  
  
• Security Scans: The plugin scans for any potential vulnerabilities that might surface on your site, and will allow you to take the necessary actions to secure it. Plus, it guarantees that the SSL runs smoothly.
  
  
• WordPress Hardening: Really Simple SSL secures your web app against the very weaknesses that WordPress is notorious for like big holes inside its platform. Security hardening is built-in, and runs seamlessly.
  
  
• Security Headers: Configure advanced WordPress security headers to increase the safety of your site even more.
  
  
• The premium support: If you need help, Really Simple SSL offers premium support with a fast responsive team that will help you within 24 hours.

 

Is it really simple? SSL certificates are secure

Yes, it is safe. Really Simple SSL is a security plugin very simple to install and use with WordPress. It makes the implementation of SSL certificates on your site easier, thus increasing security without slowing it down or risking your data. Here’s why:

1. SSL Encryption: A simple SSL certificate (SSL/TLS) encrypts data between a user’s browser and the website server, securing sensitive information during transmission.
   
   
2. Seamless Transition to HTTPS: Really Simple SSL automatically migrates your site to HTTPS and enforces SSL with just one click. It configures your site to use HTTPS, ensuring a smooth transition without any negative impact.
   
   
3. WordPress Hardening: The plugin also offers essential WordPress hardening features, such as preventing code execution in the uploads folder, disabling XML-RPC, and more. These measures enhance security without compromising performance or the user experience.
   
   
4. Vulnerability Detection: Really Simple SSL notifies you when plugins, themes, or WordPress core contain vulnerabilities, allowing you to take appropriate action.
   
   
5. Pro Version: Upgrading to Really Simple SSL Pro provides advanced features like mixed content scanning, security headers, and vulnerability measures.

In summary, Simple SSL improves security without harming your website or compromising your data.

How to Install the Really Simple SSL WordPress Plugin

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install the Really Simple SSL plugin in WordPress:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New.
3. In the search bar, type “Really Simple SSL.”
4. Next to the Really Simple SSL plugin, select “Install Now.“
5. To activate the plugin, click the “Activate” button at the end.

The plugin improves security by automatically forcing HTTPS on your website once it is configured. Before making any changes, do not forget to backup your website! 

Most websites will work successfully with the plugin’s default settings. If you want to change the plugin settings, go to “Settings->SSL->Settings” and enable the 301. htaccess redirect.

How many Types Of SSL Certificates are there

There are three main SSL certificates. They are

• Domain Validated (DV) Certificates:
• Organization Validated (OV) Certificates:
• Extended Validation (EV) Certificates:
  
  

 SSL or TLS certificates are both names for a certificate which is the same thing. SSL certificates are used to encrypt information such as data that is transferred between a web browser and the server to make sure that it is transferred securely and intact on the web. There are three varieties of SSL certificates: DV certificate, which provides domain ownership authentication; OV certificates, which involve extra verification of the organization; EV certificates going through legal entities clearance procedure, which are thoroughly verified. Among other things, your SSL certificate selection should be driven by your security needs and the level of confidence you want to create in users.

Free SSL VS Paid SSL

Free SSL certificates provide basic encryption for your website, while paid SSL certificates offer additional features and higher levels of security.

Is an SSL certificate good from an SEO perspective?

Yes, having an SSL certificate is beneficial from an SEO (search engine optimization) perspective. Here’s why:

 

• The Evidence of Ranking by Google: Google considers HTTPS in their ranking signal. Websites using HTTPS (secured with SSL/TLS certificates) usually have better odds in gaining higher authority than competitors without HTTPS. This, therefore, means that HTTPS is an advantage to SEO in that it comes positive.

• Trust and Credibility: Websites with HTTPS display both a lock and the word “Secure” in the address bar of a browser. This graphical indication assures visitors about how secure their connection is and that their data is encrypted. It raises trust and, hence, assurance in your website to lower the bounce rate and improve user-engagement metrics; thus, this contributes to the SEO rankings indirectly.

• User experience: Secure websites create a safer browsing experience for the users. Google ranks very highly with respect to user experiences. Providing a secure connection contributes to a pretty good experience because the user will not worry about having their data intercepted, so they are certain the interaction is private and secure.

• Improved Referral Data: HTTPS to HTTPS refers to preserves referral data (referrer information) in Google Analytics, while with HTTP not guaranteeing the security for such site to HTTPS, data on referral may strip away when any traffic comes from there and makes it difficult to track the actual place the traffic originated from. This data integrity would help understand the traffic sources of your website, thus aiding the understanding of SEO strategy.

• Keeping in line with the evolution of online security standards, HTTPS is slowly but certainly gaining more importance. With search engines and browsers giving significance to secure connections, having a secure website with SSL certificate will ensure you comply with updated security and compliance norms, giving you an edge when SEO considerations arise.

 

In summary, while an SSL certificate directly impacts SEO rankings in terms of a slight boost and improved user experience metrics, its broader implications for trust, security, and compliance make it an essential component of a modern, SEO-friendly website.

What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) are two protocols concerned with transferring information on the internet but are quite distinct from each other in their capacity for protection.

HTTP is a protocol for transmitting resources, such as HTML documents, and provides a foundation for data exchange in the World Wide Web. While transmitting resources, data is usually sent in the plain text format. The plain text indicates that any data exchanged between the user’s browser and the server can be intercepted by unauthorized third parties, thereby becoming susceptible to attacks that can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of information.

While HTTP uses plain text for data communication, HTTPS uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption for secure communication. Using SSL-provided HTTPS protection, unsecured data cannot be easily intercepted or tampered with by unauthorized parties. In a browser’s address bar, this is indicated by a padlock icon beside the “https://” prefix in the URL.

Obviously, data between users and the web server must be secured. The encryption process using SSL/TLS certificates is, simply put, the issuing of the digital certificates by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) to verify a website’s identity, thereby establishing a secure encrypted channel for safe data exchange. Hence, HTTPS is indispensable for sites exchanging sensitive information pertaining to online banking, e-commerce, security-oriented login pages, and any dens of user data.

To summarize, HTTP provides for unsecured communication where data is not encrypted, unlike HTTPS, which provides for secure communication that protects both integrity and confidentiality for the information being relayed.

I have written written article related to SSL

• What Technical SEO Issue Can You Solve With an SSL Certificate?