Definition and how SSL works
You may have heard about Google’s security update whereby all websites that do not use an SSL certificate will be marked as not secure. You sure don’t want to be marked as Not Safe, right? As a business owner, you want the best for your company.
We know that you will be wondering, what is this SSL Certificate and how does it work? Don’t worry; We will see what an SSL is and how this security layer affects your website.
What is an SSL?
As you run your business online, one of the most important mechanisms to consider is creating a trusted environment where your customers can feel safe sharing their personal and payment information.
How would you create that safe environment? That’s where SSL comes in. In its most direct definition, SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a security layer that you use to establish a secure connection between your site and a browser.
When you use this SSL technology, you are creating an environment where you and your customers are protected from potential hackers. To build this layer of security, you need to ensure that your website runs with an SSL certificate.
Remember that for an online transaction to complete; You should ask your customers to provide information such as credit card numbers, account details, and other sensitive data. If your website does not use an SSL certificate, it means that it will be easy for hackers to access this type of customer information while it is being transmitted to your site.
As a business owner, you don’t want any security breaches to happen while transacting business with your customers, right? That is why it is imperative that you use an SSL Certificate to protect your business and the interests of your customers.
How does SSL work?
When you use an SSL certificate on your website, it means that you are encrypting all information that is shared on your site. It has a two-way process, when a client shares information with you and when you also share data with your client.
It means that no one can access this information except you and the customer. It’s like adding a lock that only you and the company know about. No one else would see the combination to the lock.
This is how SSL works.
It makes sure that all data shared on your website remains protected against potential cyber attacks. Even if hackers try to intercept the data exchange, they can obtain this type of information because it is protected.
The clients would know if a website is using an SSL certificate or not. Internet users often check the green lock icon before a web address or see if a site is using HTTP or HTTPS.
Let’s go back to Google’s security update if your website does not use an SSL certificate; Google will mark your site as Not Secure. However, if you are using an SSL certificate, Google labels your site as secure.