For anyone who is not familiar with the term, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), these are protocols that provide communication security over the Internet. They do this by encrypting data that is transmitted between a web server and a web browser.
Why SSL/TLS is Important
This encryption offered by SSL/TLS makes it difficult for anyone to intercept and read the data being transmitted between a server and a browser. In addition to encrypting data, SSL/TLS also authenticates the website, which means that you can be sure you are communicating with the website you intended to connect to. This authentication is important because it helps protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, in which someone impersonates a website in order to steal sensitive information.
How SSL/TLS works
SSL/TLS work by using a public key cryptography system. When you connect to a website that uses SSL/TLS, your browser will request the server’s public key. Once it has received the public key, it will create a message that can only be decrypted by the server using its private key. This encrypted message is called a digital signature.
Once the server has received and decrypted the digital signature, it will send the website’s content back to your browser. Because the content is encrypted with the server’s public key, only the server can decrypt it.
The Benefits of Using SSL/TLS
Some of the key benefits of using SSL/TLS on your website include:
- Secures data – SSL/TLS provides a secure connection between your website and your users’ browsers, ensuring that all data is exchanged securely. This helps to protect your users’ data from being intercepted by third parties.
- Builds trust – When users see a trusted SSL/TLS certificate, it builds confidence in your site and encourages them to interact with your content.
- Increases your site’s ranking – HTTPS is now a ranking factor in Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs), so using SSL/TLS can help to improve your website’s position in those results.
- Helps with compliance – Many industries are now requiring that websites use SSL/TLS in order to be compliant with regulations. This includes industries like healthcare, finance, and e-commerce.
How to tell if a site is using SSL/TLS
You can tell if the website contains “https” at the beginning of its URL. In certain web browsers, you will see a locked padlock icon, or a green URL bar. If you click on the padlock, you can learn more about the security of the site, and whether the site’s certificate has been validated.
If you have questions about implementing SSL/TLS on your site or anything related to encryption, certificates, authentication, website security, or server security, reach out to us at CanSpace! We are more than happy to discuss options with you to ensure your site’s security. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and usually respond in less than 20 minutes.
