SSL Certificates A Brief Summary

Today, since much of the businesses and shopping is done online, the internet has become an integral part of our lives. When we carry out an online shopping transaction, we key in our personal details, bank related information, and even our credit card numbers.

There are times when the system is not secure, and others can hack into our account and use these information. We might receive a huge credit card bill, containing a list of items we never bought or get charged for trips we never made. These issues are all part of the security problems faced on the internet. In order to prevent these type of things form happening, there is something called a Secure Sockets layer (SSL) that was put in place and now, every site should have a SSL certificate before they begin their operations.

Even while we are sending emails, or chatting with friends, there are ways in which our data and personal information can be accessed by others. Now, if a site has the necessary SSL certificates, there is no way this leakage can occur. It is almost like eavesdropping into someone else’s conversation or sneaking into someone’s room and taking their ATM card or bank PIN details. The internet security uses a cryptographic system that has two kinds of keys in it, one that is open and known to all, a public key and the other is a private one, that is known only to the recipient of that particular mail or message. However, there are some web browsers that haven’t yet incorporated this and so don’t use the protocol. One way to identify if the browser has SSL certificates is by observing the URL address. If it is http: and not https:, then the system has SSL certificates already in place.

There are a couple of websites from which these SSL Certificates can be downloaded by paying a nominal charge. And this is advised to all internet users for they can then be worry free and use the net for any kind of transaction. Most of them have a strong encryption of up to 365 bit and are compatible with almost all the internet browsers. So, it is important for a person who is a frequent online shopper to be aware of these certifications and educate others as well.

GlobalSign is a leading provider of SSL Certificates, hosting SSL and website security. SSL Certificates