Have you ever visited a website and noticed a green padlock icon in the address bar? That's the sign of a secure website that has an SSL certificate installed. In this post, we'll break down what SSL certificates are, their types, encryption levels, validity period, and more.
SSL certificates are digital certificates that verify the identity of a website and enable secure communication between the website's server and user's browser. They use a cryptographic protocol known as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to encrypt data transmitted between the server and browser.
There are several types of SSL certificates available, ranging from basic to premium. Here are the most common types:
The encryption level provided by an SSL certificate depends on its type. Here's how they compare:
The validity period of an SSL certificate varies from one issuer to another but typically ranges from 1 to 2 years. It's important to renew your certificate before it expires to maintain uninterrupted security on your website.
SSL certificates can be issued by trusted third-party Certification Authorities (CA), including companies like Comodo, Symantec, DigiCert, etc.
Installing an SSL certificate on your website's server can be a technical process that requires some expertise. Most web hosting companies provide SSL installation services or you can do it yourself using online tutorials or instructions provided by your certificate issuer.
