If you’re a seasoned internet user or even just a regular, you must have heard of https or an SSL certificate. What do these stand for and why should you care?
For starters, every information you send on the internet is passed from computer to computer to get to the destination server. So when you visit a website with http:// and you login with a username and password, your information is transmitted over the internet in plain text meaning any computer in-between you and the server can see your information (credit card numbers, usernames and passwords and other sensitive information).
SSL certificates are small data files that encrypt data packets as they are sent through the Internet. That information becomes unreadable to everyone except the server you are sending the information to. This protects the information from hackers and identity thieves.
Why Do You Need One?
- Security: SSL helps encrypt all data traffic on your website. This is especially important if you’re collecting any private data like credit card information on your website. You don’t want someone snagging your client’s credit card information.
- Search Engine Optimization: Google now considers SSL a factor when ranking your website. Websites that have an SSL certificate and use the HTTPS protocol are given a better ranking in search. Google wants people’s experiences to be secure (who doesn’t?).
- Trust: When you see a website with the green padlock or the “Secure” emblem on your browser, it’s a subtle sign of trustworthiness. You can be sure the website is safe.
How do you get your SSL Certificate?
Getting an SSL certificate can be a pain and also pretty expensive. Thankfully, the Linux Foundation as well as a myriad of other supporters have come to the rescue in the form of free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. This means that securing your website isn’t just for the big boys anymore. Anyone can generate and install their very own certificate and get that comforting little “Secure” emblem next to their website’s URL.
At Leanstack, we offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for all websites. To get started click here. If you already have a Leanstack account, is how to set up a free SSL certificate on your domain.
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