The presence of an SSL certificate or SSL certificate is one sign of a website's security. Currently, SSL is present on the majority of websites on the internet. What is SSL, then, and why is it so crucial for websites? Learn what SSL stands for, how it operates, what types of SSL there are, and how SSL differs from TLS in this article.
What is SSL?
Secure Socket Layer, or SSL, is one of the security certificates that every website needs to have. Increasing the security of data transfer on a website is one of the primary uses of SSL. Different browsers also indicate that a site is "not secure" or "not safe to visit" if it lacks SSL.
If a website already has a security certificate, the URL will switch from HTTP to HTTPS on its own.
Although SSL is a crucial component of website security, it is currently not used at all. Transport Layer Security has now supplanted SSL as the preferred security protocol (TLS).
But because the name SSL is already familiar to the public, the abbreviation is still used.
TLS itself has the same function, namely to secure the data transfer process on a website. However, TLS has a variety of better and up-to-date features so that the security level of the data transfer process becomes more stringent.
Why is SSL Important for Websites?
As discussed above, SSL serves to secure websites from various security threats. But apart from that, there are also several other reasons why you need to have SSL on your website. These are those reasons.
1. Avoiding Data Transmission Errors
SSL/TLS has an authentication feature that can guarantee that the information requested from the server will be obtained by the right person. So, the information transfer process will be protected from third parties (hackers) who want to interrupt the information transfer process.
2. Protects from Data Theft
SSL/TLS has a big role to play in protecting your website and its visitors from data theft. This protection process is carried out by means of end-to-end encryption or randomization of sensitive data. Thus, only the sender and recipient of the request can read the information.
3. Increase Website Reputation
If your website has an SSL/TLS certificate, the browser will label it as a secure site. In popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, a secure website is marked with a lock icon to the right of the URL.
This security label is, of course, very important, especially if you have a business website or an online store website where financial transactions occur. With this security label, visitors will feel more comfortable when transacting on your website.
4. Increase Website Ranking in Search Engines
Search engine algorithms, especially Google, also prioritize sites with security certificates for display in search results. This is evidenced by Google blocking user access to sites that do not have an SSL/TLS certificate.
How SSL Works
After learning about what SSL is and why you need to use it on your website, it's a good idea to also know how SSL/TLS works in securing websites.
Basically, online data exchange such as visiting websites, online transactions, sending and receiving emails, and other data transfers is carried out by two computers: one server and one user's computer.
SSL/TLS secures data by means of end-to-end encryption or end-to-end encryption. This means that no computer or third party can read the information being transferred.
SSL certificates use a combination of two encryption keys: the public key and the private key. The public key is useful for scrambling or encrypting the data to be sent. The private key is useful for decrypting or restoring data that has been scrambled into a format that can be read again by the user.
SSL Benefits
After discussing what SSL is, its functions, and how it works, let's talk about its benefits for your website.
1. Increase Website Reputation
Without using SSL/TLS, your website will be labeled "Not Secure" or unsafe. Even recently, major browsers like Chrome and Firefox have banned their users from visiting sites that still use HTTP or don't have an SSL certificate.
By using SSL/TLS, your website will be registered as a secure site. Indirectly, your website will be more trusted by visitors.
2. Improve Website SEO
Since 2014, Google has used SSL as one of the parameters to determine the ranking of a website in search results. The use of HTTPS is also one of the 'web vitals' used by the Google search engine to determine the quality of a website. Although SSL is one of the many factors that affect SEO, it's a good idea to keep it on your website.
3. Protecting Data Security on Website
As alluded to above, SSL encrypts information and data so that no third party can read it. The use of two encryption keys, namely the public key and the private key, will make it difficult for third-party attempts to steal data and information that is being transferred on your website.
The presence of a lock icon and a URL with HTTPS is also a marker that is easily recognizable, even for ordinary people who are not very tech-savvy.
SSL/TLS Certificate Types
The following are several types of SSL/TLS which are distinguished based on website security needs.
1.Domain Validation SSL (DV SSL)
The DV type SSL certificate is the most common type of SSL used by most websites on the internet. This type of SSL provides basic encryption protection with minimum authentication.
This type of DV SSL is very easy to obtain; you only need to prove ownership of the registered domain. With easy access, this type of SSL can be used by blogs, personal sites, and other non-business sites to secure the data transfer process.
Unfortunately, DV SSL is so easy to obtain that cybercriminals can also obtain these certificates for sites that look'secure' but are actually traps for phishing or other cybercrimes.
2. Organization Validation SSL (OV SSL)
By verifying the ownership and legitimacy of the registered domain, SSL with OV type can be obtained by verifying the ownership and legitimacy of the registered domain. SSL certificate issuers such as GeoTrust, Comodo, and so on will check the validity of the domain by checking the business name, location, and other legal information.
OV SSL is generally used on company websites to provide a sense of comfort and increase the trust of their visitors.
3. Extended Validation (EV SSL)
The EV type SSL certificate has the highest level of security compared to the other two types. Therefore, EV SSL is highly recommended to be used for online business websites, e-commerce, or online stores.
This type of SSL is generally used by trusted business entities such as PT, CV, and state agencies. Therefore, the process of obtaining an EV SSL certificate requires verification of domain ownership by attaching various legal documents.
How to Choose SSL/TLS for Website
You now understand what SSL is, as well as its various types and applications. Let's now discuss how to select SSL for your website.
Please be aware that there are both free and paid SSL options. Try the free SSL from Let's Encrypt or Cloudflare if you're a beginner and want to use a cheap SSL certificate. Naturally, you won't have access to the premium features.
A complimentary SSL DV from Let's Encrypt or Cloudflare should be adequate if you have a personal blog or website. However, it is strongly advised to use the paid version of DV SSL if your blog or website's traffic has started to increase.
If you want to develop your blog into a company or business, then you should use OV SSL to register domain ownership with an organization or company.
If your business is growing rapidly and has transaction features, the best choice is EV SSL, which has the highest security.
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