A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is a digital credential that verifies a website’s identity and secures information transmitted to the server through SSL technology. Encryption involves converting data into an unreadable format that can only be reverted to a comprehensible form with the correct decryption key.
A certificate functions as a digital “passport” that validates an online entity’s credentials when conducting business on the Internet. When a user on the Internet tries to transmit sensitive information to a web server, their browser retrieves the server’s digital certificate and creates a secure connection.
An SSL certificate contains the following information:
- The certificate holder’s name
- The certificate’s serial number and expiration date
- A copy of the certificate holder’s public key
- The digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority
How does an SSL certificate work?
An SSL certificate provides a secure, simple, and convenient way to shop online. When a user enters a secure area—such as inputting credit card details, an email address, or other personal information—the SSL certificate on the shopping site allows the web browser and server to create a secure, encrypted connection. The “handshake” process necessary for establishing this secure session happens quietly in the background, ensuring that the consumer’s shopping experience remains uninterrupted. The only signs of an active secure session are the “padlock” icon displayed in the browser’s status bar and the “https://” prefix found in the URL.
In contrast, when a user tries to provide personal information to an unsecured website (meaning a site lacking a valid SSL certificate), the browser activates its security alert system to inform the user that the site is unsafe and that private data could be captured by unauthorized parties. Confronted with this alert, the majority of Internet users will probably seek alternative options for making a purchase.
How to Check SSL installation
It is recommended to use Qualys® SSL Labs’ SSL Server Test for information about a website’s SSL’s configuration.
What is a Wildcard SSL certificate?
Wildcard SSL certificates protect your website address along with an unlimited number of its subdomains. As an illustration, one Wildcard certificate can secure www.coolexample.com, blog.coolexample.com, and store.coolexample.com.
Wildcard certificates protect the specified common name along with all its subdomains at the chosen level when you make your request. Simply place an asterisk (*) in the subdomain section to the left of the common name.
Examples
If you request your certificate for *.coolexample.com, you can secure:
- coolexample.com
- www.coolexample.com
- photos.coolexample.com
- blog.coolexample.com
If you request your certificate for *.www.coolexample.com, you can secure:
- www.coolexample.com
- mail.www.coolexample.com
- photos.www.coolexample.com
- blog.www.coolexample.com
What is an intermediate certificate?
Intermediate certificates serve as a substitute for our root certificate. We utilize intermediate certificates as a proxy because it’s essential to protect our root certificate with multiple security layers, guaranteeing that its keys remain completely secure.
Since the root certificate has signed the intermediate certificate, this intermediate certificate is capable of signing the SSLs that our customers install, thereby preserving the “Chain of Trust.”
What is a Multiple Domain (UCC) SSL certificate?
A Unified Communications Certificate (UCC) is a type of SSL certificate designed to secure various domains and subdomains. UCC certificates are applicable to Secure Server hosting services for safeguarding multiple websites, provided that all the websites are under the same hosting account.
They are perfect for Microsoft® Exchange Server 2013, Exchange Server 2016, and Microsoft Live® Communications Server.
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