What is SSL and why is it important for website?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and, in short, it's the standard technology for keeping an internet connection secure, private and intrinsic, between a web server (host) and a web browser (client), and preventing any sensitive data being sent between two systems, in order to avoid criminals from reading and modifying any information transferred.

It is an electronic passport that has now become important for every website, in order to make their website and transactions secure for their customers. If you have ever visited a website using the https:// in the address bar you were creating a secure connection via SSL. It ensures purchases, transactions, and connections done are shield and secure and no one encrypts information. Whereas if the user enters login credentials on the unprotected website, then an attacker can see this information and use it for the wrong purpose. This is the jeopardy because users mostly use same username and password on many sites, including bank accounts. If the website is asking to save user login details, then as an alert web user you should first check whether the website is protected with an SSL or not for the safety.

SSL supports the following security for the secure website:

SSL Protects Data

The key function of an SSL certificate is to protect server-client data/information. Once SSL is installed, every bit of information is encrypted. In layman’s terms, no one else can open the data except the intended recipient that is browser or server. SSL helps you protect against the hackers. It also helps in workflow and virtualization applications or cloud-based computing platforms and protect hosting control panel logins and activity like Parallels, C-Panel and others.

SSL Affirms Your Identity

The second primary task of an SSL is to provide authentication to a website. Identity verification is one of the important aspects of web security. Such verification makes sure that no hoaxer creates a fake website pretending to be yours. Technically, this is called Phishing. Thus, SSL helps users drive to your real website, protect from frauds and enhances your reputation.

SSL boosts website Search Engine Ranking

As we know, Google is contently changing its algorithm in order to give the upper hand to https://-enabled websites and announced HTTPS as ranking signal. Deploying an SSL Certificate on to your website will make your site secure and browsers will show trust indicator (Pad Lock) in the address bar which will increase your website traffic and indeed increase your website ranking.

SSL is required for PCI Compliance

In order to accept online payments on your website, you must pass certain audits that show that you are complaint with Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards and satisfy all the requirements.

SSL Improves Customer Trust and Revenue

Apart from encryption and authentication, SSL is vital from a customer trust point of view. Web browsers gives trust seal, such as a lock icon or a green bar signs to instill the users that their connection is secured. Websites need SSL certificates to keep user data safe and secure, verify ownership of the website, prevent attackers from creating a fake website, and convey trust to users. HTTPS is the reliable form of HTTP, that means HTTPS websites have their traffic ciphered by SSL.

SSL Encrypts Sensitive Information

The primary reason why SSL is used is to keep for sensitive information across the Internet so that only the intended recipient can access it is to protect and secure the customer information. Any computer in between you and the server can see your credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, and other sensitive information if it is not encrypted with an SSL certificate. Usage of SSL certificate ensures the information becomes unreadable to everyone except for the server you are sending the information to which protects it from hackers and identity thieves.

SSL Protects Customer Data and provides authentication

In this highly-competitive market, customer data is inestimable for the organization with which it cannot compromise. SSL secures the data which is in transit between server and browser. SSL helps in protecting the data from hackers and skimmers by converting them into the undecipherable format which means information is sent to the right server.

Enhances Website Speed

The speed of a website is directly proportional to its ranking on search engines. Faster website speed leads to more traffic. Therefore, website with SSL certificates will get preference in search engine results. HTTPS increase the loading speed of web pages. Eventually, more number of people can visit your site and stay there for longer time because they know more about your deliverable. There are various factors that differentiate an HTTP from an HTTPS-enabled website, and speed is one of them.

Google Displays your site properly and provide better user experience

Users are much aware of a secured website. They know the significance of the SSL certificate. For the website which is not SSL validated, Google shows a page alert saying that your connection isn't private. Google Chrome supports encrypted pages with a padlock icon and green address bar. With SSL, data and communication will be secure which will eventually help in improving the conversion rate for any online business.