- Security · 2. Confidence · 3. SEO
The main reason to use an SSL certificate on your website is to secure sensitive information sent across the Internet. Keeping data encrypted so that only the intended recipient can understand it.
This is important because the information you send on the Internet is passed from computer to computer to get to the destination server. Any computer in-between you and the server can see your credit card numbers, usernames and passwords, and other sensitive information in plain text and easily readable if it is not first encrypted using an SSL certificate.
When an SSL certificate is used, the information becomes unreadable to everyone except for the server you are sending the information to. This protects you from hackers and identity thieves.
For example when you visit an ecommerce website to view their catalogue. When you’re ready to order, you will be sent to a order form or checkout with an address that starts with https://.
When you click “Send”, to submit your order details back to the retailer, your browser’s HTTPS layer will first encrypt the information. At the other end only the website which knows the SSL encryption can decrypt your information and use it to complete the purchase.
The acknowledgement you receive from the server will also travel in encrypted form and arrive with an https:// address that can be decrypted for you by your browser.
Next: Why use an SSL? Number 2: User Confidence
November 2024
In an era where digital privacy concerns are at the forefront of online discourse, many organisations are reassessing their tools to ensure compliance with data...
→ Continue reading"Simple Analytics: A Privacy-Focused Alternative to Google Analytics"
November 2024
In today’s digital world, protecting your privacy online has become essential. With personal data constantly being shared, stored, and potentially accessed by unauthorised parties, safeguarding...
→ Continue reading"Simple steps to protect your privacy online"
November 2024
With the increasing dependency on web applications in daily operations, securing these applications is paramount to safeguarding data and protecting against breaches. This blog post...
October 2024
Cookieless website tracking is a method of collecting analytics data and monitoring website behaviour without the need for traditional browser cookies. Traditionally, cookies have been...
→ Continue reading"Cookieless website tracking and analytics"
March 2024
As PHP continues to evolve, so do the threats that target its vulnerabilities. Ensuring robust PHP security practices is paramount to safeguarding sensitive data and...
→ Continue reading"PHP Security in 2024: navigating the evolving landscape"
July 2023
Securing a WordPress website involves a combination of practices, including using secure hosting configurations, regularly updating WordPress and its plugins/themes, and implementing strong security measures....