What is SSL?
SSL is the acronym for Secure Socket Layer. In simpler terms, this allows and guarantees safe interaction and transactions from one server to another server. Using certificate authorization, this allows for the server to identify both ends, creating a safe web page for you to visit and input your information into.
How does this work?
You might be wondering how this all works and if it’s easy for a website to fake this to steal your information? To ensure that it is not easy for a phishing website to implement this software on their website, we’ve created a list of steps for you to understand SSL and how it works with websites that use your entered information such as Facebook, eBay, government websites and more.
- Your Internet browser will request a page that is secure. Usually, it will start off with https:// in the URL. The “S” stands for Secure. Another way you can secure that a website is using SSL is if your Internet browser has a closed padlock image at the very bottom right. This is most commonly seen in the Internet Explorer browser.
- The web server will send back its key with a virtual certificate. You usually don’t see this yourself as it is done within the inner workings of the website when you’re logging on.
- Then your browser authorizes that this SSL certificate was given by a trustworthy company, website or party.
- Your browser then checks to see if this certificate is still valid.
- Then your browser sends the receiving end with an encrypted key that will allow a unique and one of a kind, safe, and secured connection between your computer and their server only. No one else has this key.
- Then within nano seconds, that server decrypts the secret key that your computer has sent.
- After they have verified your key, the web server will send back the secure key that will match with yours on your computer.
- When each party has decrypted the keys, the web server sends you back the secured webpage.
Why should I get an SSL certificate?
If your website deals with monetary transactions, buying, bidding, etc., then purchasing an SSL certificate may be the best option for you. This is to let customers know that they are putting their card and personal information into a safe website that will not spill their information to third parties. A lot of websites sell login emails to third parties, but this certificate will assure users that you won’t do that and their information is in safe hands.
Types of SSL Certificates
- Shared SSL – With a shared SSL, the host will offer multiple domains under the same IP address. This makes it easier to manage your SSL’s.
- Dedicated SSL – While being the highest priced, this offers the most secured certificate and connection. There is only one IP address for each domain with an SSL certificate and is only verified for the domain it is registered to.
- Wildcard SSL – This is dedicated towards websites that use sub-domains; for example, stop.website.com, store.checkout.com, etc. This is very similar with a shared SSL except this is for one domain with sub-domains under the same umbrella instead of multiple domains.
What websites use SSL?
This sounds as if it takes a long time; however, the process is very quick and your page loads in the same amount of time as a normal page would. Websites like PayPal, eBay and Facebook use SSL security for transactions and login information as credit cards, passwords, emails and more are used on these websites. The more important the website, the higher priority an SSL is.
Types of Websites
s mentioned, if the website you own handles sensitive information, then an SSL certificate is necessary. If you own an email hosting website or something where login information is to be kept private, an SSL certificate is also crucial for you. If you own a blog that is mainly for reading and there are no forums or financial aspects, then an SSL certificate isn’t necessary for you unless this page needs to be only seen by a certain group of people.
What providers can I purchase an SSL certificate from?
- Symantec
- GlobalSign
- Entrust
- Digicert
- GeoTrust
- Comodo
- GoDaddy
- Network Solutions
And a whole lot more.
Levels of Certificates and Choosing a Level
When it comes to purchasing an SSL certificate for your website, you have to go through trusted providers. There is no universal certificate, as there are different levels and the ones with a higher and secure connection has more features to offer. This is why prices will vary greatly from provider to provider.
A standard SSL is less expensive than a premium SSL certificate. This is because a standard certificate with most companies has a lower warranty. With premium on most websites, you’re able to receive a “green bar” which lets the user know that your website is secure the moment they log on.
Can Spam Websites Purchase an SSL Certificate?
A spam website is usually detected by the certificate provider as each certificate includes:
• Owner’s name
• Serial number for identification
• Expiration date of the certificate
And other information needed that a spam website usually can’t provide.
As most spam sites are practicing illegal processes on how they retain their information, a spammer will not buy one as it will contain their real information and get them into legal trouble. There is also malware and virus protection within the features as well and they will pick up on this and will be counterproductive to the spammer’s intentions.
DNS Security and Owning Multiple Websites
This isn’t something you should be concerned about as most do not offer this up front and as a feature in their packages.
If you have multiple websites, you’re going to need multiple certificates. A certificate is usually good for one year per registered website, which may be costly if you have multiple sites. Most websites offer the option to buy up to 5 years in advance, so you don’t have to keep renewing and risk missing the renewal window.
Provider Comparison and Cost Comparison
These seven certificate providers mentioned work with 99% of Internet browsers and offer unlimited amount of certificate re-issues within your certificate time frame. Excluding the Entrust Standard Certificate and Symantec, which only allows certificate re-issues within 30 days of purchase. Norton anti-virus and accessories are under the Symantec umbrella. Norton (Symantec) has a higher encryption strength which is why it costs $695 for two years as opposed to $60 for 3 years with GoDaddy.
In comparison, Symantec has a broader horizon with security options, which is another reason why it costs that much more. Go Daddy works with any desktop and mobile browser and is one of the best and largest SSL certificate providers known, as the price is amazing for what you receive. Network Solutions offers everything GoDaddy does, but for a higher price; coming in at up to $699.99.
Certificate Re-issues and Extra features with purchase
GoDaddy and Symantec offer the same features listed above, except GoDaddy has an unlimited amount of certificates you can use per server, whereas Symantec only allows one per server. GeoTrust and Network solutions also offer an unlimited amount of certificates per server whereas Thawte only allows one per server, much like Symantec.
GeoTrust and Thawte do not offer a free malware scanner like GoDaddy, Symantec and Network Solutions. Each of these providers has different features and prices to offer. The most inexpensive is Go Daddy, which is named as one of the most secure while offering everything Symantec does at a more affordable price.
SSL Certificate Warranties and 24/7 Support
Each one of these certificate providers offer a $250,000 warranty for your certificate as well as browser recognition for all devices as well as an unlimited amount of certificate re-issues, excluding Entrust and Symantec which only allow re-issues within 30 days of your purchase. These comparisons are crucial when trying to find the right SSL certificate provider as your customer’s security depends on this.
SSL certificate providers offer 24/7 support in order to make sure your certificate process for your domain is easy and stress free. This comes at no extra cost and is included within all certificates from every provider. The SSL certificate aspect of your website may be confusing to new website owners who want to implement higher security on their website, and the support provides help with that.
Why buy with us?
Buying with PAKO will ensure that you have the best SSL provider options right in front of you. We resell only the highest quality and most secure certificates from the best providers. PAKO is becoming one of the best and most trusted Certificate Authorities, commonly known as CA in SSL terms. We only sell products we recommend one hundred percent and have only had great experiences with.
PAKO is a registered and authorized re-seller for SSL certificates from these providers. In simple terms, we are the super market and our products are the groceries from many different companies. We sell the unexpired, best of the best groceries.
Authorized Re-seller: Satisfaction Guaranteed with PAKO
As an authorized SSL reseller, your security and satisfaction is our guarantee. We only want the best for you and your company, which is why security is what we specialize in and have permissions to do so in. We offer the most inexpensive options from the highest quality providers with the most security.
