What is an SSL certificate and does your business need one?

Greg Fry, social media expert, has spoken with HAI recently to remind its members of the importance of Secure Sockets Layer certificates when it comes to protecting sensitive data on websites.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, sometimes called digital certificates, are used to establish an encrypted connection between a browser or user’s computer and a server or website. The SSL connection protects sensitive data, such as credit card information exchanged during each visit, which is called a session, from being intercepted from non-authorised parties.

Google have been stating for some time that they want websites to convert from http to https (ie. Sites that have an SSL cert installed on their site). In fact they announced in September that they are going to warn website visitors using Google Chrome that http websites are not secure. This could lead to a large number of your website visitors leaving your website or being reluctant to buy from your site.

Https sites come with other benefits – they typically load faster than http sites and as they are more trusted by Google, and many believe they also have an SEO benefit.

What do you need to?

For anyone who wants to buy an SSL certificate Greg offers the following advice: “You can purchase an SSL certificate from your web hosting partner (The likes of letshost.ie and Blacknight.com). I would advise you talk to them or a website developer about how to install your SSL certificate and convert your http site to https.”