What Are SSL, TLS and HTTPS? Website Security Basics

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SSL, TLS, HTTPS

Due to an increasing number of cybersecurity threats on a global scale and Google’s increasingly strict security criteria following SSL certification, it is more important than ever for companies to take proactive measures to safeguard their websites using SSL certificates.

While there is still hope, one may demonstrate to people with SSL certification that they can trust businesses by providing them with a safe, encrypted experience using something called Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS).

To utilize HTTPS, one must first get a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate, which verifies the security of the website.

According to the most recent statistics, over half of websites use the more sophisticated HTTPS/2 protocol, which is used by about 95% of websites.

The majority of businesses utilize SSL certificates, and the majority of nations in the world claim that over 90% of website traffic is encrypted.

What exactly are SSL/TLS and HTTPS?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. Encrypted communication between a website and a web browser is a sort of digital security. TLS has completely superseded the technology, which is now deprecated.

TLS, which stands for Transport Layer Security, protects data privacy in the same manner as SSL does.

Because SSL is no longer in use, this is the right phrase that people should begin using.

To enable SSL/TLS, one must first put a certificate on the site. This will reassure visitors that the website is secure.

In practice, the site will establish connections via the HTTPS protocol. This is the secure version of the regular HTTP protocol.

Why is an SSL/TLS Certificate Required for Any Website?

Having an SSL/TLS certificate (and hence offering an HTTPS connection) is crucial to the security of the website.

It ensures that no one can intercept or access the data flow between the server and the browsers of the visitors (also known as man-in-the-middle attacks).

These aren’t the only kinds of assaults. A vulnerability in mitmproxy, an open-source HTTPS proxy, was discovered earlier, allowing HTTP request smuggling attacks.

Using the HTTPS protocol is crucial in light of the numerous security issues that exist online. In actuality, Google Chrome started classifying HTTP sites as “not secure” in July 2018.

Losing Google’s confidence in not having an SSL certificate might have serious consequences for the search rankings. Not having SSL might also make visitors suspicious of business websites.

After all, if their browser tells them that the site may be unsafe, businesses are more likely to lose visitors.

Google began altering its algorithm in 2014 to favor sites that have SSL certificates. Today, it is emphasizing them even more, claiming that those with SSL/TLS certificates will outrank those without, even when all other variables are equal.

Installing an SSL/TLS certificate is crucial if one operates in a sector where certain standards must be met. In the financial business, for example, meeting payment information security criteria is necessary.

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) establishes criteria for having SSL/TSL that websites must follow in order to take credit card information safely on their websites.

How to Verify If One’s Website Is Using SSL/TLS

It is critical that the website employs an SSL or TLS certificate. It must also be constantly monitored to ensure that it has not expired.

According to a Keyfactor survey, 81% of businesses experienced SSL/TLS certificate-related outage in the last two years.

If the SSL/TLS certificate expires suddenly, the website without HTTPS may be jeopardized. Outages can take hours to repair, and prolonged downtime can be detrimental to your organization.

It is quite simple to determine whether one has a valid SSL/TLS certificate. To begin, use Google Chrome or another browser and navigate to the website.

Then, look at the top of the browser’s address bar to determine if the site utilizes http:// or https://.

Is SSL/TLS Important for SEO? 

SEO-analysis-chart

It certainly does. Google changed its algorithm in 2014 to prefer websites that employed an SSL certificate, and they’ve continued to prioritize SSL certificates ever since.

Google has said openly that if all other factors are equal, sites with SSL statistics will outrank those without, and while secure sites account for just 1% of results, 40% of inquiries result in at least one SSL-secured site on the first page.

How to Implement SSL/TLS on Your Website

It might be challenging to add an SSL/TLS certificate to the website, thus only a web professional should do it. You’ll be able to tell if you fit in or not.

Before installing the ACME client, the first step is to enable SSH access. At this point, you may produce your SSL/TLS certificate and install it through the admin section of your web server.

If you’re looking for an SSL/TLS certificate supplier, Exabytes is the place to go. Once the certificate is available, you may require HTTPS by copying the following code into your .htaccess file.

Related: Buy SSL Certificate to secure customer sensitive data

Where Can One Purchase an SSL/TLS Certificate for Your Website?

Once a website user is aware that an SSL/TLS certificate is required. They may obtain it quickly from a source like Exabytes.

There are different types of SSL/TLS certificates available one should consult the experts and get the SSL/TLS certificates that suit you.

Furthermore, some hosting companies give them free bonuses as part of their premium hosting plans.

Conclusion

Keeping the company website safe with SSL/TLS is an ongoing concern, but it’s also critical to ensure that with HTTPS your users feel they can rely on the business.

One may safeguard businesses and users by adding an SSL/TLS certificate to the website and mandating secure connections through HTTPS. This ensures that everyone knows that site is safe to use.

The advantages of SSL/TLS certificates come in a variety of types. Exabytes makes it easy to find an SSL certificate that complies with the standards.

Businesses can get SSL certificate for their websites as low as RM13.25/month.

To learn more, contact an Exabytes Malaysia specialist and get a SSL certificate installed on your website.

Buy SSL Certificate

Related articles:

3 Types of SSL Certificate You Need To Know

Basic Facts About SSL Certificates for a Website