What is SSL/TLS and why is it important?
SSL/TLS stands for Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security. It is a cryptographic protocol that provides secure communication over a computer network. SSL/TLS is used to protect data in transit between two applications, such as a web browser and a web server.
SSL/TLS works by encrypting the data that is being exchanged between the two applications. This encryption makes it very difficult for eavesdroppers to intercept and read the data. SSL/TLS also provides authentication, which helps to ensure that the two applications are communicating with each other and not with a third party.
SSL/TLS is important because it protects our sensitive data from being intercepted and stolen. When we visit a website that uses SSL/TLS, our personal information, such as our name, address, and credit card number, is encrypted and protected from eavesdroppers. SSL/TLS is also used to protect our email communications and online transactions.
Here are some of the benefits of using SSL/TLS:
- Protects sensitive data: SSL/TLS encrypts data in transit, making it very difficult for eavesdroppers to intercept and read. This helps to protect our personal information, such as our name, address, and credit card number, as well as our email communications and online transactions.
- Provides authentication: SSL/TLS helps to ensure that the two applications are communicating with each other and not with a third party. This is important for preventing man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts communication between two parties and impersonates one of them.
- Improves user trust: SSL/TLS helps to improve user trust in websites and online services. When users see the lock icon in the browser address bar, they know that their connection is secure and that their data is protected.
SSL/TLS is an essential security measure for any website or online service that handles sensitive data. It helps to protect our data from being intercepted and stolen, and it provides authentication to ensure that we are communicating with the right parties.
How to tell if a website uses SSL/TLS
There are two ways to tell if a website uses SSL/TLS:
- Look for the lock icon in the browser address bar. The lock icon indicates that the website uses SSL/TLS to encrypt the connection.
- Check the website's URL. A website that uses SSL/TLS will have a URL that starts with "https://" instead of "http://".
How to enable SSL/TLS on your website
If you are the owner of a website, you can enable SSL/TLS by purchasing an SSL/TLS certificate from emSign. Once you have purchased an SSL/TLS certificate, you will need to install it on your web server.
There are many different ways to install an SSL/TLS certificate, depending on the type of web server you are using. Once the certificate is installed, you will need to configure your website to use it.
Conclusion
SSL/TLS is an essential security measure for any website or online service that handles sensitive data. It helps to protect our data from being intercepted and stolen, and it provides authentication to ensure that we are communicating with the right parties.
Go to https://order.emsign.com to get an SSL Certificate, or create an account in https://hub.emsign.com to buy / manage all your SSL Certificate needs.