Yes, internet security is that important today, especially since we do a lot of our daily activities online. Thus, not being secure could lead to lots of issues. SSL Certificate is one of the major things that play a key role in ensuring internet security.

SSL Certificate: An introduction

How SSL works?

It’s a very systematic multi-step process. When a browser attempts to connect to a website that is secured with SSL certificate, the browser first asks the web server to identify itself. The website identifies itself with a copy of the SSL certificate. The browser, if it trusts the SSL certificate, sends a message to the server, which in turn responds with a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session. From this point an encrypted communication starts between the browser and the server, the user and the website and all data shared is thus rendered safe.

How to identify SSL protected websites
Identifying SSL protected websites is quite easy. A website that has been secured with SSL certificate would have the website address starting with https:// instead of http://. You can also find a lock icon in the address bar. If you want to find details pertaining to the SSL Certificate and the website, you can just click on the lock icon and get it.

The benefits of having SSL certificate

The uses of having SSL certificate are manifold. The first and foremost of course is making sure all data transmitted between the user and the website or the browser and the web server remains encrypted and secure. Thus all data that’s entered for different kinds of transactions- credit card data, bank account related data etc remains encrypted and totally secure. SSL certificate also helps ensure the identity of the remote server or the computer and also helps convey your identity to the remote computer/server. SSL also ensures software genuineness, making sure it has all come from trusted and authentic sources/publishers. Providing E-mail security is another thing that SSL certificate does. Whatever data we send through emails travels in encrypted form between the sender and the recipient and thus remains safe.

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