Most websites these days support SSL/TLS encryption. It’s become fairly standard, and I’m going to assume that you already have it installed. If not, you should install it right away. SSL/TLS protects your users and your business in two ways: It prevents others from reading the traffic exchanged between you and your users It prevents man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker is able to intercept communications and thus impersonate the website
Let’s dig into it….
What is SSL in layman’s terms?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a standard security protocol that is crucial for establishing an encrypted connection between a web server and a user browser for safe online communication. The encryption uses 128 bit or 256 bit keys to scramble data in transit, making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept the information.
How Does SSL Work – The Technical Side?
SSL works by using a combination of two keys – a public key and a private key. The public key serves the purpose of encrypting data, while the private key is important to decrypting it successfully. When you visit a website that uses SSL, your browser will use the site’s public key to encrypt any data you send to the site. Once the data arrives at the site, the server will use the private key to decrypt it.
Why Do I Need SSL – Most Important Reason?
If you’re doing anything online that involves sending or receiving sensitive data – such as credit card information, personal data, or login credentials – you need SSL to protect the exchange of confidential information to prevent it from being hacked during transmission. When you’re shopping online, look for the HTTPS:// prefix in the URL of the site you’re visiting; this indicates that the site is using SSL.
5 key differences between 128 bit and 256 bit SSL Encryption
128 Bit SSL
256 Bit SSL
10 Advantages of SSL Certification for Businesses
1. Increased security
With an SSL certificate, data is encrypted and transmitted securely, preventing cyber criminals from intercepting sensitive information.
2. Improved search engine ranking
Google gives preference to websites that are SSL-encrypted, meaning a higher ranking in search results.
3. Greater customer trust
Customers are more likely to purchase from a website that is secure and trustworthy. An SSL certificate builds confidence in your business and reassures customers that their personal and financial information is safe.
4. Reduced shopping cart abandonment
A study by Baymard found that 26% of online shoppers abandon their purchase due to concerns about security and privacy. By having an SSL certificate, you can help reduce shopping cart abandonment and increase conversions.
5. Fraud prevention
With an SSL certificate, businesses can take advantage of fraud prevention features like address validation and card security codes to protect themselves from chargebacks and loss of revenue.
6. Enhanced data protection
In addition to encryption, SSL certificates also offer data integrity, which means that data cannot be tampered with or corrupted during transmission. This is especially important for businesses that deal with sensitive information such as medical records or financial data.
7. Compliance with industry regulations
Many industries have regulations in place that require the use of SSL encryption for transmitting sensitive data (e.g., PCI DSS for businesses that accept credit card payments). By using an SSL certificate, businesses can ensure compliance with these regulations.
8. lower risk of malware infection
Websites without SSL certificates are at a higher risk of being infected with malware, which can lead to significant problems such as loss of customer data, damage to reputation, and legal liability.
9. Easier integration with third-party applications
Many applications (such as social media widgets) will not work on websites without SSL encryption, so by having an SSL certificate in place, businesses can make sure they can take advantage of all the features and tools available to them.
10. Peace of mind
Perhaps the most important benefit of all is the peace of mind that comes with knowing your website is secure and your customer’s data is protected. With an SSL certificate, you can rest assured that your business is running as safely and efficiently as possible.”
FAQ
What is 256 bit SSL encryption?
256 bit SSL encryption is a form of security that is used to protect websites and online communications. It uses a complex algorithm to encrypt data so that it can only be decrypted by the intended recipient.
Why is it important?
256 bit SSL encryption is important because it helps to keep information safe from being intercepted by third parties. It also helps to ensure that the information you send or receive is not tampered with in transit.
How does it work?
256 bit SSL encryption works by using a key that is generated by a mathematical algorithm. The key is then used to encrypt data before it is transmitted over the internet. The data can only be decrypted by the intended recipient who has the key.
Who uses it?
256 bit SSL encryption is used by businesses, government agencies, and individuals who want to protect their confidential information.