SSL Certificates Explained

An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a form of security technology that creates an encrypted link, keeping information sent between clients and servers private and protected.

SSLs work by using a public key and a private key to encrypt the information it’s receiving.  Each pair (public and private) are uniquely connected cryptographic keys which are basically comprised of long random numbers and letters.

The public part is available to everyone whereas the private key is only available to the owner and remains confidential. The information that is inputted via the public key can only be unlocked by the private key, thus information submitted by the user such as personal information or bank details can only be seen and used by the server or website it was intended for.

Why do I need an SSL?

When you’re receiving information from your customers, whether it’s personal information such as contact details or sensitive information such as bank details, it’s important that you protect that information the best you can in order to prevent devastating security and privacy breaches if an identity thief gets access. Your customers need to be assured that you value security and will take the necessary precautions to protect their information. They can also have a huge effect on your website’s success from Google’s point of view, even if the site is not taking user details or information, the idea that a site is insecure is an immediate deterrent.

Which type do I need?

The type of SSL you need is based on what level of assurance you want to give your potential customers. When SSL’s were first introduced to the industry, encryption would be levelled differently depending on which SSL was installed on the website, now the encryption technology is actually exactly the same no matter which SSL you are purchasing. The only thing that is different is visitor assurance. When you input your bank details on a site you want to be confident your information is safe and protected. The more obvious a site can make this clear, the better for user experience. It has been drummed into us that user experience is everything when it comes to conversion rate so the smoother you can make their journey the more chance they’ll purchase.

To find out more about our SSL certificates, have a read here.