Why SSL Matters for All Websites

 

In 2018, there was a cyber-attack nearly every month.

 

The Health South-East RHF’s data breach in January, “DDoS” attacks on the developer platform GitHub in February, MyFitnessPal data breach in March, Security breach of the Hudson’s Bay Company in April … the list goes on. Not to mention, the lesser-known attacks that cost just as much to website owners.

 

Data breach not only costs money but also risks an entity’s reputation. Who would trust a company with a hacked website?

 

For this reason, every website, no matter the size, must protect against hackers and data breach. There are many ways to go about this and one of which is the installation of SSL.

 

There’s a reason why an SSL certificate is a vital part of web design services. And if it’s not, you should definitely have one installed on your website.

 

 

What is SSL?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a technology that encrypts communication between the server and the end-user. A website that is protected by SSL will show an “https://”, lock icon, or green bar on the address bar.

 

Any hacker that attacks a system based on eavesdropping will not succeed with an SSL certificate. Think of it as a windshield that sits between your view and the bugs flying around.

 

SSL protects your website and your users from worms, bugs, and other web creatures.

 

To get an SSL certificate, you need to provide the name of your company, domain name, your address, and other necessary information. There is an expiration date for every SSL that must be renewed to maintain website security.

 

 

Who needs SSL?

Every website should have an SSL certificate installed but it is highly recommended for e-commerce sites and other sites that collect and store client information, such as personal login information, credit card numbers, SSS numbers, and other details that are considered sensitive/private.

 

If you will process credit card transactions on your website, an SSL is a must. So, make sure that the web design services you hire have SSL included in the package.

 

 

How does SSL work?

In a nutshell, every time that a browser initiates a connection with a website with SSL protocol, the browser will first retrieve the SSL certificate to check its validity. Once verified, a secure connection is established.

 

However, if any of the checks fail, a user will be notified that the website lacks a valid SSL certificate and is not secure.

 

If you still want to explore the website, you do so at your own risk.

 

 

Does SSL guarantee website security?

SSL only secures the network communication link, which makes it an important layer of security but not fail-proof. It prevents third-parties from eavesdropping on the communications between the website and the user. But it can’t protect against direct attacks on the web server or through malware of phishing scams.

 

Online, several layers of security are needed to make a website truly impregnable. But security protocols start with an SSL certificate.

 

 

Get one for your website now

If you don’t see a lock or https:// on the address bar, have one installed. Better yet hire web design services that offer free SSL for the websites they create and host.