What exactly is it?
The purpose of an SSL certificate is to protect the exchange of information (personal data, financial data, etc.) from possible theft by hackers and computer pirates.
Its operation is not at all complex and is based on trust between two parties. Basically, an encrypted connection is created between the server and the user using a password that only both parties know. Thanks to this password, communication between the points is encrypted, reinforcing security .
The importance of SSL for our website
Having an SSL certificate is of vital importance to secure access to our website, especially if we manage an e-commerce site. Ensuring a safe visit or purchase must be a priority for every community manager.
But how do our visitors know they are accessing a secure site? Well, there are four indicators that guarantee our good faith.
A padlock is displayed next to the URL.
The prefix of this URL is https.
The website address is in green.
A phrase that indicates its legality: “Secure site”, “It is safe”, etc.
Don't be fooled by a nice appearance: if a website doesn't display these four points, you should avoid visiting it. Better safe than sorry, right?
Where to get our SSL certificate
Obtaining our SSL certificate must be a task that we must carry out with caution, because there are many websites that issue fraudulent certificates that can lead to the theft of private information. We must always contact the Certification Authorities (CA), entities of great reputation and security in charge of verifying the legitimacy of the applicant after passing a series of tests.
Another option to acquire an SSL certificate is by contacting a web hosting provider or using a domain name registrar.
When choosing an SSL provider, we must take into account that most browsers have a list of secure Certification Authorities inserted in their cache, and if they do not appear in it, the user will be warned of a possible risk of violation of their privacy if they decide to enter our website.
