Applies to: SSL Certificates

SSL Certificates Help

How does an SSL certificate work?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server using SSL technology. Encryption is the process of scrambling data into an undecipherable format that can only be returned to a readable format with the proper decryption key.

An SSL certificate ensures safe, easy, and convenient internet shopping. Once an internet user enters a secure area — by entering credit card information, email address, or other personal data, for example — the shopping site's SSL certificate enables the browser and Web server to build a secure, encrypted connection. The SSL "handshake" process, which establishes the secure session, takes place discreetly behind the scene without interrupting the consumer's shopping experience. A "padlock" icon in the browser's status bar and the "https://" prefix in the URL are the only visible indications of a secure session in progress.


By contrast, if a user attempts to submit personal information to an unsecured website — a site that is not protected with a valid SSL certificate — the browser's built-in security mechanism triggers a warning to the user, reminding him/her that the site is not secure and that sensitive data might be intercepted by third parties. Faced with such a warning, most internet users will likely look elsewhere to make a purchase.

To find product information, please see our SSL Certificate page.

Our fully managed SSL solution automatically secures your site, redirects to HTTPS, and fixes security issues for you. Protect your site now!

Share this article