What is an SSL Certificate?
A common topic these days, an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate is a digital certificate for your website that serves 2 main purposes:
First, it serves as an authentication that you own your website. The certificate includes information about the certificate holder, guaranteeing that it’s not a bogus/scam site.
Second, the certificate is used for encryption, hiding any sensitive data sent to or from your website, preventing would-be hackers from accessing your (or your clients’) sensitive data.
When someone visits your website, the browser accesses the certificate automatically, and when it finds it, your browser will show the URL prefixed with HTTPS and a ‘secure padlock’ icon near the URL, indicating the site is securely processing any data.
Do I need an SSL Certificate?
Absolutely! An SSL Certificate is such an important part of a secure site that your browser will often warn you when you try to visit a website that doesn’t have one.
In fact, nearly all modern search engines will actually lower the position of (or, in some cases, completely remove) your website from its search results if you don’t have an SSL certificate.
How do I get an SSL Certificate?
SSL Certificates are generated and served by your website hosting. If you use BuyingTime’s hosting, we automatically include an SSL certificate for your website. Some hosts have the ability to generate a free SSL certificate from inside their hosting control panel, while others offer it as a paid service.
To get your SSL certificate added, contact your hosting company or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you get set up and secure!
Happy (and secure) browsing!
V.A. David Ramsey