SSL Certificate A BIG Deal for Websites?

Sometimes things come down from up on high and we either ignore it or do not really think it’s a BIG deal or important.

This issue of a SSL Certificate is BIG and getting bigger every day.

SSL certificates were once used to keep information safe on websites that sold goods directly and Google wanted people to enter at their own risk with a warning at front of the menu bar.

That has all changed now.

They are now being used to keep ALL website safe.

This 1st image is what a website looks like on Firefox in the browser bar. The green lock signifies that it is safe website. If you look close you can see next to the green lock is the letters https://. If the website does not have a certificate it will be missing the “s” or look like this: http://. The “s” stands for secure.

Secure Sockets Layer

What really is an SSL Certificate?

They are what is known as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, sometimes called digital certificates. They are used to establish an encrypted connection between a browser or user’s computer and a server or website.

The SSL connection protects sensitive data, such as credit card information, exchanged during each visit, which is called a session, from being intercepted from non-authorized parties.

This 2nd image is what a website looks like on Google Chrome in the browser bar. Just a bit different but very much the same.

That all makes sense if money is flowing through a website between buy and seller. We want that level of protection which is good thing.

Google is now requiring that ALL website have this level of security when they did not require it in the past.

They began to in-force a certain amount of leverage about this issue at the start of 2018 but now at the start of June they are tightening the screws further.

Not only will there be a warning that the website you are entering does not have protection in the form of a SSL Certificate and that you are entering at your own risk but your website will be ranked much lower in search engines results.

This image is what is called Encoded Certificate Signing Request. You have to have this first to start the ball rolling. You then send it over to the SSL Certificate maker and then they make sure you are the owner of the website by sending you a email that is on the account at the hosting company that your website is hosted by.  

Making Your Website Safe

In the modern age when security has become a major issue this is one way that Google and other search engines are trying to get back some control of security.

SSL Certificates are not cheap and can be purchased in two year increments.

Most hosting companies where your website is hosted sell them or have some kind of deal because you host with them that is built in to the hosting account.

They usually give you the first year Free but after that you will have to pay for it.

Connecting you’re your SSL Certificate is a bit of a complicated matter.

There is a process to go through to connect the certificate and many hosting companies do this automatically when you buy it from them but for a hefty price.

I do this for all my websites that I design to make sure everything is working the way it should.

Sometimes people hire me to clean up a website or to do monthly website maintenance so I include it in the price to make sure they are safe.