Welcome friend! 👋 Today we’re going to be discussing SSL/TLS certificates and their role in keeping our internet communication secure. As you may already know, sensitive information like credit card numbers, login credentials etc. transmitted over the internet need to be protected from prying eyes. SSL/TLS is a protocol that adds an additional layer of security to our web interactions.

What is SSL/TLS?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are cryptographic protocols that provide communication security over the internet. They work by establishing a secure channel between two websites and encrypting the information that flows between them. SSL was the predecessor to TLS and is now generally considered to be depreciated. TLS is used in the majority of cases as of now.

What are SSL/TLS Certificates?

SSL/TLS certificates are digital certificates that are used to verify the identity of a website and to establish a secure connection with the visitors’ browsers. They are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs) after a website has been authenticated. When a user connects to a website secured with an SSL/TLS certificate, their browser validates the certificate and verifies that they are connected to the right website before establishing a secure connection.

Types of SSL/TLS Certificates

There are various types of SSL/TLS certificates available, the most common ones being Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV) Certificates. DV certificates are the most basic type – they only verify that the domain is valid. OV certificates verify not only the domain, but also the organization that owns the domain. Finally, EV certificates offer the highest level of verification, verifying the domain, organization, and legal existence of the entity requesting the certificate.

An image of a lock icon in a web browser indicating a secure website

How do SSL/TLS Certificates Work?

When a user visits a secure website, their browser establishes a connection with the web server using SSL/TLS. The web server then sends its SSL/TLS certificate, containing a public key, to the user’s browser. The browser then validates the certificate and uses the public key to encrypt all subsequent communication between the two parties.

The Certificate Chain

Sometimes, an SSL/TLS certificate is issued by an intermediate CA which was issued the certificate by a root CA. This is called the certificate chain. When a browser validates a certificate, it checks the entire chain to ensure that each certificate is valid and trustworthy.

HTTPS vs. HTTP

HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is the secure version of HTTP. When a website has SSL/TLS enabled, it is accessed via https:// as opposed to http://. When a user accesses a website via HTTPS, the information transmitted between the user’s browser and the web server is encrypted, making it difficult for an attacker to intercept and read any sensitive information.

An image of a server and client communicating securely via SSL/TLS

Importance of SSL/TLS Certificates

SSL/TLS certificates are important because they protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. They help ensure the authenticity of a website, protect information from interception by attackers, and provide a secure channel for communication between a server and a browser.

SEO Benefits

In addition to the security benefits, SSL/TLS enabled websites have higher search engine rankings and are more likely to be trusted by users. Google has even acknowledged the importance of SSL/TLS certificates and has made it a ranking factor.

🔑 Tip: Be sure to check for the green “lock” icon in the address bar of your browser when using websites that handle sensitive information.

Conclusion

That’s all for our discussion on SSL/TLS certificates! They’re crucial for keeping our internet communications secure. Remember to always be on the lookout for that green lock and to keep your information safe online.

An image of a shield with a lock indicating security and protection