How to Encrypt All Web Traffic

Encrypting Web traffic is important if you are maintaining a website that facilitates transactions of money or sensitive information. Encryption essentially scrambles all the personal information in a private secured channel so spammers and hackers cannot access them. The best and most common way to encrypt Web traffic is by using a SSL certificate. SSL stands for Secured Socket Layer that ensures complete protection of all the data that are exchanged to and from your website.

Instructions

1. Use an administrative account to log in to the computer. Note, you will need administrative rights to encrypt Web traffic.

2. Click on the Start button and select "All Programs." Click on "Administrative Tools" and select "Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager."

3. Double-click to expand the contents of "Web Sites." You will find this folder on the left pane of the IIS Manager.

4. Find the website folder where you want to encrypt web traffic. Right-click on it and select "Properties."

5. Click on "Directory Security." Next, click on "Edit." Hit the "Next" button when you get to the "Secure Communications" dialog.

6. Choose "Create a new certificate." Click the "Next" button. Choose "Prepare the request now, but send it later." Click the "Next" button again.

7. Enter a name for the SSL certificate to encrypt Web traffic. Choose the highest bit length under "Bit Length."

8. Type your organization name, domain and location. Choose a secured location on your hard drive to save the SSL certificate. Review all information and click "Finish."

References

• Microsoft: How to Implement SSL in IIS