HTTPS / SSL – What is it ? Why it’s so Important ?

Recently Facebook introduced SSL i.e. HTTPS support. Many people still don’t have any idea about what exactly is SSL or HTTPS. The HTTPS or SSL revolves around something knows as SSL certificates. Whether you realize it or not, SSL certificates are something which are more than likely to be encountered by internet users on a regular basis. Yet, for many people, it is not a term with which they are familiar.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It functions, basically, as an internet security measure, which are put in place in order to prove the identity of almost any website which you might choose to visit.

A number of websites might also require data to be exchanged between your internet browser and the site itself. This is particularly true of online shopping sites, when you may need to enter information such as your bank details, but can also apply to passwords and addresses. In such cases, the SSL certificate is proof that the information which you supply cannot be intercepted by a third party, who might otherwise tap into this connection.

It is usually easy to spot which sites have an SSL certificate, as they will show ‘https://’ at the beginning of their URL address, ie the usual http with the addition of an ‘s’ to prove that it is secure. Another way to identify whether or not a website has a secure connection is through the small padlock image which will usually appear in the search bar of the web browser. This is most often found on transaction pages, after you have indicated that you wish to make a purchase. You should also be able to click on the padlock itself, which will enable you to view the full SSL certificate details.

For those hosting a website, the advantage of having an SSL certificate is that your customers will be more confident when visiting your webpages and using your services. If your business site is primarily used as a platform for e-commerce, then such authentication can prove essential in generating the desired profits. If your web page is deemed secure and trustworthy by those who visit it, it is more likely to gain popularity.

Internet security is often a priority for those who carry out online transactions, and so SSL certificates can prove to be an essential investment for many businesses and organization. They work by linking a cryptographic key to details such as a particular domain name, location and business contact details. Once such authentication has been established, the connection between the web server and the internet browser is secure, and not at risk from third party infiltration.