Quick summary
- What it is: An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer), now more commonly referred to as a TLS certificate (Transport Layer Security), is a type of digital file that provides security.
- What it's for: it helps protect the website, email, access and service reputation.
- When to check it: when activating certificates, reviewing access, analyzing threats or wanting to reduce risks on your site.
An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer), now more commonly referred to as a TLS certificate (Transport Layer Security), is a type of digital file that provides security for online communications. SSL/TLS certificates encrypt the connection between the user's browser and the website server, ensuring that all information transmitted is secure and private.
Key functions of an SSL certificate:
- Encryption: Protects data transmitted between users and websites, ensuring it cannot be read or modified by unauthorized third parties.
- Authentication: Verifies the identity of the server the user is connecting to, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Data integrity: Ensures that data is not altered during transmission, maintaining the integrity of information sent and received.
Types of SSL certificates:
- Single-domain certificates: Protect a single domain name or subdomain. These are the simplest and most common.
- Wildcard certificates: Cover a primary domain and an unlimited number of its subdomains.
- Multi-domain certificates (SAN or UCC): Allow securing several domain names or subdomains (for example, www.example.com, www.example.net) with a single certificate.
SSL certificate validation levels:
- Domain Validation (DV): This is the most basic level, where only domain ownership is verified. It is quick and generally automatic.
- Organization Validation (OV): Requires more detailed verification, including the authenticity of the organization requesting the certificate. Offers a higher level of security and is visible in certificate details.
- Extended Validation (EV): This is the highest level of validation and requires an exhaustive verification process. EV certificates activate the green address bar in browsers, explicitly showing the organization name to visitors, which increases user trust.
Implementation and use of SSL:
- Purchase and selection: An SSL certificate can be acquired through a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). There are free options like Let's Encrypt, which offer DV certificates at no cost.
- Installation: Once acquired, the certificate must be installed on the web server. This process varies depending on the server and hosting management system used (such as cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
- HTTPS configuration: After installing the certificate, it is important to configure the website to use HTTPS by default, which may include redirecting all HTTP connections to HTTPS.
The use of SSL certificates is now considered standard practice for all websites, especially those handling sensitive information such as credit card details, personal information or login data. Not only does it improve website security, but it also contributes to the trust and credibility of a company's or individual's online presence.
Why it matters in hosting
Understanding this concept will help you make better decisions when managing your service. In practice, it relates to protecting the website, email, access and service reputation. If it appears in a guide, the control panel or a support response, review the context before making changes.
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