About a Shared SSL Server

A shared SSL server serves multiple customers.

A secure socket layer (SSL) certificate provides Web application and e-commerce security by creating a secure tunnel in which the user can transmit data. The secure socket layer server stores the certificate needed to authenticate users and decrypts the user data to send to the main website server. Web hosts offer space on a shared SSL server as an alternative to an expensive and high maintenance dedicated SSL certificate.

Function

Web hosts manage a primary SSL server and certificate. The Web host's customers can then pay a fee to use the host's SSL certificate for their own domain. Multiple customers can use the same SSL server. Some hosting companies only allow customers to use the shared SSL server for an e-commerce shopping cart. The URL or link to pages protected with shared SSL certificate might contain the name of the hosting company depending on the settings for the shared SSL server.

Advantages

Using a shared SSL server provides a cheaper solution for security on a small website. It costs less to set up and maintain but still provides the same protection as a dedicated SSL server.

Disadvantages

Customers may not trust a certificate from a shared SSL server as much because it will not have the business' name on it. Also, website owners do not have any control over the SSL certificate's maintenance. If the hosting company allows the certificate to expire the website or business will lose protection.

References

• Best SSL Certificates: Shared Vs. Dedicated SSL
• Our Shop: How Does Shared SSL Work?