SSL certificate for the site: what is it for?

Data protection is becoming increasingly relevant as information technology develops and spreads. An important role in this matter is played by the SSL certificate for the site. For what purpose is it created? How to install / connect a certificate? Is it possible to check its performance?

general information

First, let's figure out what SSL is. Its name translates as “secure socket level”. It is used to protect data transmitted on the Internet by millions of sites. By using this protocol, a high level of security is ensured between the server and the user. Its use provides for the transfer of all data over the HTTPS channel, while decryption can only be carried out using a special key. In favor of the high reliability of this protocol is the fact that it is used by all financial institutions. Of great importance in this scheme is the SSL certificate for the site. What is he like?

SSL certificate

For a site, it is a kind of unique digital signature. It is necessary for all banks, payment systems and other organizations that work with personal data. Thanks to it, transactions are protected and unauthorized access to information is prevented. It may contain the following information:

1. The domain name for which the certificate is created.
2. The legal entity owning it.
3. The physical location of the subject for which the certificate is being created.
4. Validity.
5. Details of the company that formed the certificate.

This file is used to confirm the results of identification of the owner and the legality of the actions taken. This is why you need an SSL certificate for the site.

What are they like?

There are several types:

1. With domain verification. They are also called entry-level certificates. This is the most common option that is found everywhere. The time taken to issue them takes from two to ten minutes. You can also get a free SSL certificate for the site. This does not require the availability of special documents, and just checks the level of human access to a specific resource (domain ownership is confirmed). So this option is ideal for small projects and sites that do not need a lot of trust from visitors.
2. With email verification. In this case, the certification center sends a letter where it will be necessary to follow the link and confirm the eligibility of the action. In this case, the letter goes to the address that was specified when registering the domain.
3. Check with DNS. In this case, the requirement is to create a special DNS entry that is checked by a certification authority.
4. Using a special file. In this case, the owner must upload the provided document to his server. After the certification authority is satisfied that this requirement is met, a certificate is issued.

Here's how to connect an SSL certificate to the site. Which way you like - and choose this. But there is another possibility.

Option for reputable services and companies

In this case, the issuance of certificates is implied only after verification of the company. This option is suitable for those who want visitors to have confidence in their products, services and companies. In such cases, certification authorities perform a thorough review. It is necessary to send the required package of documents and wait for the call to the corporate phone. When installing an SSL certificate on an extended site, security address is displayed in green in the address bar. This is exactly what we find on the pages of banks and payment systems. Often, additional subdomain support is also offered. This is a good option in case of significant branching of the site structure.

How can I find out that staying on the site is safe?

There are many ways to do this. The easiest is just to look at the address bar of the browser. If it is green, then everything is in order. And if not? Do not rush to draw conclusions, it is likely that there is protection. To check the SSL certificate of the site in this case, you need to view a brief information about it by clicking on the appropriate button. Each browser places it in its own way, but most often they can be found to the left of the address bar. Also, as an option, use special applications and services that let you know whether the data that is transmitted from the site is protected or not.

Where to get them?

How to install an SSL certificate on a website on a global network? To do this, you need to contact a company that specializes in this. If we talk about paid certificates, then their value can reach up to five thousand rubles per year. But there is an opportunity to ensure the security of your data for free. True, one does not have to rely on the level of banks. To obtain a certificate after choosing a company, you need to decide at what rate the service will be provided. If safety is simply ensured, then this is one amount. And if there is a desire to still tell customers in green that they can not worry, this is completely different.

Why are website owners increasingly using SSL?

E-commerce is growing rapidly. And in the global network, the security issue is paramount. Many people are repelled by the need to transfer personal data to someone else. After all, I so want to have a guarantee that all the information provided will be kept secret. If a potential customer does not have such confidence, he is unlikely to buy something. And the presence of SSL allows us to say that the organization respects this, and it will make sure that the data does not fall into the wrong hands. Of course, the mere presence of a certificate does not give full confidence. Indeed, for completeness, it is still necessary to ensure the security of internal channels in the organization, its units and the reliability of employees. But the certificate says at least that these issues are not an empty phrase.

How does it all work?

So, we already know that certificates are used to ensure confidential data exchange between the server and the client. But how does the encryption mechanism work? Data in this case is encoded using the public key. Then they are forwarded. The recipient has a private key. And only using it, you can decode the information and find out what it is about. To ensure that everything happens without problems, recording and handshaking protocols are used. The first is necessary in order to determine the format that will be used for data transfer. A handshake protocol is needed during the first client-server connection when a series of messages are exchanged. When a page of a site with a certificate is opened, the browser receives identification information from the server. A copy is coming from him. After receiving the certificate, the browser begins to verify its authenticity. In case of a positive outcome, he reports this to the server. After that, a virtually signed agreement is sent, which allows encoded data transfer. And after that, using the certificate, any transmitted data that is sent to the client is encrypted. At the same time, the usual http transfer protocol changes to https. The last letter s means that the channel is secure.

Conclusion

Why is there a need for all these certificates? Alas, the reason for this is sad - a large number of scammers on the network. Counterfeiting sites, trying to get money from inattentive and gullible people - all this requires the adoption of certain measures aimed at ensuring security. To have an idea of ​​the total expression of offenses that are being carried out in this area, it is enough to give a small example: cases of fraud that are recorded bring hundreds of billions of US dollars of losses a year! Agree, a truly grandiose scale!

But why, if there is a fairly extensive range of defense methods, are there still offenses of this magnitude? The fact is that from a technical point of view, everything looks good. The same SSL hack is now on the brink of science fiction. But, alas, there is a human factor. The banal connivance on the part of the person, neglect of safety rules and the malicious intent of the responsible employees of the relevant structures - all this leads to the fact that fraud in this area reaches truly enormous proportions. Some risks are beyond our responsibility. But in other cases, the study of behavioral safety with information technology can significantly reduce the ability of criminals to rob people.