How to secure your website with an SSL Certificate…

By Clook Internet

28 Feb 2017

By Jamie Hoyles, Clook Internet Account Manager

As more and more of us use the internet and publish content online, the prevalence of risks, vulnerability exploits and security threats also increases. A way to negate these challenges is to protect your domain with an SSL Certificate.

What is SSL?

Secure Socket Layer – or SSL - is a technique for encrypting and authenticating data traffic over the web in order to improve the security of your website. SSL is installed to the hosting server and encrypts communications. Higher level SSL Certificates will undergo stringent vetting on the organisation applying for the certificate whilst the validation on entry level certificates is only checked against the domain ownership.

When SSL is enabled, the transfer of data between the web server and browser is secured. For online shops, membership databases, etc where confidential and sensitive information is regularly transferred, using an SSL certificate is a necessity.

Here are some examples of types of sensitive data that should be protected with SSL encryption: Registration data: names, addresses, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers Login data: e-mail addresses and passwords Payment information: credit card numbers, bank details Data entry forms Customer documents Using SSL helps keep communication safe from those looking to snoop into or manipulate personal data.

How to identify SSL?

The most common way to see whether a domain has an SSL Certificate installed is to look for a padlock icon within the URL bar of your browser. Another way you may tell is that the regular protocol of http has been changed to https – both of these will identify that a website is secure.

The higher level certificates (Extended Validation will also turn the URL bar green.

How to secure your domain?

SSL certificates are issued by organisations called Certificate Authorities, also known as Signing Authorities. Our provider is Globalsign, a global, well established company who are specialists in digital security. Their clients include the BBC, Netflix & Dell so you can rest assured you are in good hands.

Usually your SSL Certificate will be supplied by your web host who will also be able to install the certificate on your server. Customer input is minimal – simply place an order, enter your configuration details (Domain & Contact Information), validate and away you go.

SSL is most often used with business/e-commerce websites but with Google using SSL as a ranking tool, we are seeing more and more smaller, personal websites taking advantage of the cheaper certificates which are ideal for those basic needs.

Types of SSL Certificate

Alpha SSL This certificate comes with a basic level of encryption. The AlphaSSL is ideal for personal websites or small businesses without e-commerce. Quick to validate, these certificates can be installed within a couple of hours of ordering.

Domain SSL This SSL provides medium range coverage. A DomainSSL is ideal for small-to-medium businesses or organisations without complex security needs beyond basic e-commerce.

Organisation SSL With increased recognition, OrganizationalSSL is perfect for medium-to-large businesses or organizations with complex security needs and those storing customer accounts and sensitive information.

Wildcard SSL A wildcard SSL allows multiple subdomains to be covered under one certificate – eg shop.yourdomain.com; mail.yourdomain.com, etc. These are available to add to Alpha, Domain & Organisation SSLs.

Extended Validation (EV) SSL This SSL Certificate shows the green URL bar in browsers and provide the most extensive recognition, coverage and warranty. EVSSL is ideal for high-security businesses and organizations with extremely sensitive personal or financial information.

Adding SSL to Your DomainSecuring a domain is easy with SSL, and a huge positive in terms of risk mitigation, customer confidence and now SEO rankings. You can view our full range of GlobalSign SSL certificates here. For advice on which SSL Certificate is right for you contact us today…

Enjoyed this? Read more from Clook Internet

Latest news

1

Lancashire inspires next generation of cyber specialists with activities Cyber Education Week

Lancashire inspires next generation of cyber specialists with activities

07 Feb 2025

2

Harris Your Place project enters final fit-out phase Michael Conlon, Chairman of Conlon Construction handing over The Harris ceremonial key to Councillor Anna Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council

Harris Your Place project enters final fit-out phase

07 Feb 2025

3

PM pledges nuclear power surge EDF Heysham

PM pledges nuclear power surge

07 Feb 2025

4

Rayner “hopeful” of an elected mayor by 2026 Angela Rayner

Rayner “hopeful” of an elected mayor by 2026

07 Feb 2025

5

University of Cumbria announces new international partnership

University of Cumbria announces new international partnership

06 Feb 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Amber River True Bearing Quarterly Investment Seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
13 Feb 2025

Amber River True Bearing Quarterly Investment Seminar

Mercure Blackburn Dunkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, Blackburn Rd, Clayton-le-Moors, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB5 5JP

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200atkinsons 1
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
14 Feb 2025 - 14 Jan 2025

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 Celebration - Business Breakfast Showcase

Media Factory , Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 10:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
Freelancer Meet-Up Feb.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin