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Deciding If Your Website Needs An SSL Certificate

When it comes to online security, what you don't know can hurt you. Consumers and business owners alike benefit from understanding Internet security and applying safe practices. Being aware of encryption, SSL certificates and other security tools is especially important for e-commerce website owners.

If your website isn't secure, people will be nervous about making purchases from you and will choose other retailers. Keeping your customers' information safe is one of the best things you can do for your business. These certificates help keep you and your customers safe as you exchange sensitive information online. Not every website needs one, but many do. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to obtain one.

What is it for?

An SSL certificate is an electronic document that confirms the identity of a website or server and encrypts information transmitted over the Internet. When personal information (like a credit card number or password) is encrypted, it is transferred in a complicated code so no one can read it while in transit. When the information reaches its destination, it is put back into plain text.

What information needs to be protected?

Any personal information your customers give you needs to be secured. That includes credit card information, usernames, passwords and other sensitive information. If customers submit these through your website, you need an to get a certificate. You might think that a password used only for making comments in your forum doesn't need to be protected, but unfortunately many people use the same passwords for forums as they do bank accounts. Any information that could be potentially harmful if compromised should be protected, including simple passwords.

What are my options for obtaining an SSL certificate?

If your site needs an SSL certificate, there are a few ways to go about getting one. First, you can purchase one online. Different websites provide certification with varying levels of security for a variety of prices. You should research SSL certificates carefully before deciding which one to purchase.

You can also use a third-party payment processor and avoid purchasing a certificate of your own. This method allows you to redirect customers to a third-party website like PayPal to make purchases. Because no information is submitted on your website, you won't need an SSL certificate. Just make sure customers make purchases on the third-party site and no personal information is submitted when the address bar shows your domain name. If it does, you will need an SSL certificate.

Breanna Olaveson is an experienced writer working with [http://8008608068.com]Professional Marketing International helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.

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What Is an SSL Certificate?

SSL is an open protocol, so it can be used by any manufacturer of Internet applications, one of the great advantages that can be used with any Internet services (WWW, FTP, news, mail), but more often it is used for traffic through the WWW. The protocol is based on the use of an encryption system that uses mathematical algorithms and a key only known by the user and the server. These keys allow the encryption of data for anyone who did not have to read its contents.
This means that any information sent from a secure server using a browser with SSL technology, travel over the Internet safe from prying eyes.
To use the SSL protocol requires that the web server that supports SSL is in possession of relevant security digital certificate (is issued by a duly authorized independent agency, such as Verisign or Thawte), and by the user, it is necessary have a WWW browser that supports SSL (Netscape and Internet Explorer both support it).
SSL security system is based on the algorithm (public key / private key) for RSA, which uses a security key 40 or 128 bits long. This means that to break this key and access the information it protects, it would be necessary to use a personal computer for all years. The increase in computing power of personal computers gradually reduces the time needed to break the encryption keys, which is saved with the increase in the number of bits used.
When connected to a secure server ("https://www."), browsers warn of this fact by a yellow padlock in the bottom and it can verify the information contained in the digital certificate as a server that enables insurance. SSL can collect data such as credit card information, etc. in a safe environment because the information sent through a secure form is transmitted to the server in encrypted form.
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Tips For Making Secure Online Payments

Every year, consumers are defrauded out of millions of dollars online. Unlike purchases made in brick-and-mortar stores, online fraud can go virtually undetected if security measures (such as encryption) are not in place to protect a consumer's information. Here are few tips that can help you ensure the payments you are making are secure and encrypted.

Determine whether or not the site utilizes a SSL (secure socket layer) or TLS (transport layer security). TLS and SSL (the predecessor of TLS) are encryption protocols that encrypt information when transmitted from one point to another via the Internet. There are a few ways to find out if the site is using encryption. First, check the URL of the website at the top of the browser. While most sites start with "http" a secure website will have "https" in the URL, the "s" indicating the web page is hosted on a secure server. Another indication a page is secure is a "lock" icon displayed somewhere on the browser (the icon will appear regardless of the browser being used). If you double click on the lock, you can view the valid security certificate for the site. Some sites may utilize an icon of an unbroken key, which also signifies the page is secure.
Read through the terms of service and or privacy policy provided by the merchant on their website. The information should detail the security measures they take to ensure your credit card number and other personal information remains secure when stored on their servers. Other places you may find this information on a merchant's website include the frequently asked questions or the "about" page.
Don't disclose your credit card number and other personal information (including mailing address and rel=nofollow [http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/]social security number) to just anyone - only provide payment information to online businesses you know and trust.
If you have any doubts, contact the company or merchant directly to ask if sensitive information is encrypted before you make a purchase. Similarly, only shop with companies you are familiar with.
Keep detailed, accurate records of all rel=nofollow [http://www.globalcollect.com/payment-methods/payment-processing/]online payments you make. This way you can dispute any fraudulent or suspicious orders made with your card. Also, routinely check your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious or unauthorized activity. [http://www.globalcollect.com/payment-methods/payment-processing/]Online Payments

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