What Is an SSL Certificate For?

When providing valuable information over the Internet such as Social Security numbers, bank information or credit card numbers you should always submit through a secure website. SSL certificates allow a server to prove that it is secure.

Significance

The amount of information required from internet shops, online banking applications and other online tools has created the need to ensure the safety of that information even as it is transmitted.

Function

SSL certificates allow a server to use the Secure Sockets Layer protocol to encrypt and transmit secured data as well as verify its identity. SSL encryption provides privacy and security by using a key encoded in the SSL certificate.

Features

SSL certificates act as a type of digital handshake between connecting machines. The SSL certificate identifies the server and is usually tied to a domain name, company name and contact details.

Considerations

Owners of a business that conducts transactions through a website should have an SSL certificate so that the connections through its website are secure and buyers are easily able to verify the site's identity.

Benefits

Using an SSL certificate can increase trust a buyer may have in an online company. Using an SSL certificate to ensure security and privacy can reduce the chance of identity theft or interception of any valuable data.

Warning

It is possible to spoof an SSL Certificate. Always verify that the name on the SSL Certificate matches the name of the company you are interacting with.