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

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin