SSL Certificates

What is an SSL Certificate?

SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When installed on a web server, it activates the padlock and the https protocol and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser. Typically, SSL is used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and logins, and more recently is becoming the norm when securing browsing of social media sites.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and it’s successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are methods used to secure and encrypt sensitive information like credit cards, usernames, passwords, and other private data sent over the Internet. Website pages secured with SSL and TLS are those branded with the HTTPS in their URL address.

The public and private keys used for SSL are essentially long strings of characters used for encrypting and decrypting data. Data encrypted with the public key can only be decrypted with the private key, and vice versa.

Why Do I Need an SSL Certificate?

This particular kind of cryptography harnesses the power of two keys which are long strings of randomly generated numbers. One is called a private key and one is called a public key. A public key is known to your server and available in the public domain. It can be used to encrypt any message.

• Keep data secure between servers
• Increase your Google Rankings
• Build/Enhance customer trust
• Improve conversion rates

SSL Certificates need to be issued from a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). Browsers, operating systems, and mobile devices maintain lists of trusted CA root certificates.

The Root Certificate must be present on the end user’s machine in order for the Certificate to be trusted.

What is a self-signed SSL certificate?

Technically, anyone can create their own SSL certificate by generating a public-private key pairing and including all the information mentioned above.
Such certificates are called self-signed certificates because the digital signature used, instead of being from a CA, would be the website’s own private key.

But with self-signed certificates, there’s no outside authority to verify that the origin server is who it claims to be.
Browsers don’t consider self-signed certificates trustworthy and may still mark sites with one as “not secure,” despite the https:// URL. They may also terminate the connection altogether, blocking the website from loading.

Is it possible to get a free SSL certificate?

Watchdog offers free SSL/TLS encryption and was the first company to do so, launching Universal SSL in September 2021.
The free version of SSL shares SSL certificates among multiple customer domains.
Watchdog also offers customized SSL certificates for enterprise customers.

To get a free SSL certificate, domain owners need to sign up for Watchdog and select an SSL option in their SSL settings.

Security From Hackers

Hackers are criminals who gain unauthorized access to a network and devices, usually with the intent to steal sensitive data, such as financial information or company secrets.

Reliability SSL

Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates provide the fastest, easiest,
and most cost-effective way to receive industry-standard 256-bit encryption within minutes. Once installed.

Increase Users Globally

he secure sockets layer (SSL) certification market is poised to grow by $ 2.55 bn during 2020-2024 progressing at a CAGR of 16% during the forecast period.

Better search rankings

Google favors HTTPS-encrypted websites and will push them higher in search results.

So a Watchdog SSL not only protects your customers but helps you find more.