If you’ve ever been on a website and noticed a little padlock icon in your browser’s address bar, you’ve encountered SSL in action. But what exactly is SSL, and why does it matter?
SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s a security technology that ensures a secure, encrypted connection between your web browser and the website you’re visiting. SSL prevents hackers from spying on or altering the data being transferred, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information.
What is SSL?
SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a cryptographic protocol that provides security for communications over the Internet. It is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser. This link is used to securely transmit sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and personal data.
SSL works by creating a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and the website you are visiting. This connection is protected from eavesdropping and tampering by third parties. When you visit a website that uses SSL, your browser connects to the website’s server and exchanges a series of messages. These messages establish a secure channel for communication between your browser and the server. All data that is transmitted between your browser and the server is then encrypted using a strong encryption algorithm.
SSL is used to secure a wide variety of online transactions, including online shopping, banking, and email. It is also used to secure other types of online communications, such as web conferencing and remote access.
SSL is a very important security technology. It helps to protect your personal information and your online transactions from being intercepted and misused. If you are concerned about the security of your online activities, you should make sure that the websites you visit use SSL.
How does SSL work?
When you visit a website that uses SSL, your browser connects to the website’s server. The server then sends your browser a digital certificate. This certificate contains information about the website, such as its domain name and the organization that issued the certificate.
Your browser verifies the certificate to make sure that it is valid. If the certificate is valid, the browser creates an encrypted connection with the server. All data that is transmitted between your browser and the server is then encrypted using a strong encryption algorithm.
The SSL handshake is a complex process that involves several steps. First, the client (your browser) sends a message to the server indicating that it wants to establish an SSL connection. The server then responds by sending a certificate to the client. The certificate contains information about the server, such as its domain name and the organization that issued the certificate.
The client then verifies the certificate to make sure that it is valid. If the certificate is valid, the client generates a random number and encrypts it using the server’s public key. The client then sends the encrypted number to the server.
The server decrypts the encrypted number using its private key. The server then generates a random number of its own and encrypts it using the client’s public key. The server then sends the encrypted number to the client.
The client decrypts the encrypted number using its private key. The client and the server now have a shared secret that they can use to encrypt and decrypt data.
How to see if a website is using SSL
There are a few ways to tell if a website is using SSL:
- Look for the https:// prefix in the website’s URL. The “s” in https stands for “secure.”
- Look for a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. This icon indicates that the website is using SSL.
- You can also view the website’s security certificate by clicking on the padlock icon.
Differences between SSL and non-SSL traffic
SSL traffic is encrypted, while non-SSL traffic is not. This means that SSL traffic is protected from eavesdropping and tampering, while non-SSL traffic is not.
SSL traffic is also more secure than non-SSL traffic because it uses stronger encryption algorithms. SSL uses symmetric-key encryption, which is a type of encryption that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Non-SSL traffic typically uses asymmetric-key encryption, which is a type of encryption that uses two different keys to encrypt and decrypt data. Symmetric-key encryption is generally considered to be more secure than asymmetric-key encryption.
SSL traffic is also more reliable than non-SSL traffic. This is because SSL uses a number of mechanisms to ensure that data is transmitted correctly and securely. For example, SSL uses checksums to verify the integrity of data, and it uses sequence numbers to ensure that data is not lost or reordered.
Finally, SSL traffic is more private than non-SSL traffic. This is because SSL encrypts all data that is transmitted between the client and the server. Non-SSL traffic, on the other hand, is transmitted in plain text. This means that anyone who intercepts non-SSL traffic can read the data.
In summary, SSL traffic is more secure, reliable, and private than non-SSL traffic.
Different Types of SSL Certificates Over the Years
There are various types of SSL certificates, each offering different levels of security. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
1. Domain Validation (DV) SSL Certificates
- What it is: The most basic type of SSL certificate. It verifies that the domain is owned by the person or company applying for the certificate.
- Who it’s for: Small websites or blogs that don’t handle sensitive data.
- Security level: Basic encryption, enough for most personal sites.
2. Organization Validation (OV) SSL Certificates
- What it is: This type verifies both the domain and the organization behind the website.
- Who it’s for: Businesses and organizations that want to provide users with a bit more trust in their identity.
- Security level: More trust than DV, as it confirms that a legitimate company is behind the site.
3. Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates
- What it is: The highest level of SSL certification. It requires a rigorous validation process, verifying not just the domain but also the legal existence and legitimacy of the organization.
- Who it’s for: Large companies, financial institutions, and e-commerce sites.
- Security level: Maximum. The green padlock and company name in the address bar indicate the highest level of trust.
4. Wildcard SSL Certificates
- What it is: This type covers not only the main domain but also all its subdomains. For example, it protects both
example.comandshop.example.com. - Who it’s for: Companies with multiple subdomains.
- Security level: Convenient for securing multiple subdomains with one certificate.
5. Multi-Domain SSL Certificates (MDC)
- What it is: A single certificate that can cover multiple domains. For example, it can secure both
example.comandanotherexample.com. - Who it’s for: Businesses with several domain names.
- Security level: Provides encryption for several domains with one certificate.
6. Unified Communications (UCC) SSL Certificates
- What it is: Developed for securing Microsoft Exchange and Office Communications environments but also used for other purposes.
- Who it’s for: Companies using Microsoft products for multiple services.
- Security level: High, specifically designed for secure communication platforms.
Bonus Section: What About TLS?
TLS, or Transport Layer Security, is actually the successor to SSL. Although people often use “SSL” as a catch-all term, modern websites actually use TLS for encryption.
Key Differences Between SSL and TLS:
- Stronger Encryption: TLS offers improved encryption compared to SSL, making it more secure.
- Security Enhancements: TLS fixed many vulnerabilities found in the older versions of SSL.
- SSL vs. TLS Today: While SSL is still widely referenced, most websites now use TLS. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox support only the more secure versions of TLS (version 1.2 and 1.3).
In short, SSL was the first widely used encryption technology for securing websites, but today, TLS has taken its place as the most secure option.
Conclusion
SSL (and its successor, TLS) is essential for protecting data when you browse the web. It encrypts your information, keeping it safe from hackers. By checking for the padlock icon or the “https” in a website’s address, you can ensure you’re visiting a secure website.
Whether you’re running a small personal blog or managing an e-commerce platform, SSL certificates are necessary to protect your website and build trust with your visitors. From Domain Validation certificates to the more robust Extended Validation, there’s an SSL certificate for every need.
And with modern TLS technology, you can be confident that your data is as secure as possible.
