Free Ssl Certificate

What is a security certificate?

2009-05-29T00:09:00.000-07:00

I'll bet one time or another you've surfed the web and suddenly
found a pop-up window in front of you, demanding your approval
for a security certificate. I occasionally see these on shopping
sites, usually the smaller, less-well-funded companies.

The first time I saw one of these windows I had no idea what to
do. What the heck is a security certificate? And whatever it is,
why is the browser asking me about it? I mean, I had enough
questions about ActiveX controls, now I was being asked about
security certificates?

Let's look at security certificates from the perspective of
dating. Let's say you are a woman looking for a date. How do
you know you can trust a person?

Well, you can just decide for yourself or you can ask a trusted
friend about the potential date. So you call up "Sally" and ask
"can I trust Bill on a date?" Sally will tell you yes or no,
and since you trust her if she says "no" the poor guy will not
be going out with you.

That's the way a security certificate works. The certificate is
an electronic document which is highly secure (encrypted) and
stamped with an identifier. That identifier says the web site with
the certificate is whom it claims to be.

The way it works is straightforward. Let's say I want to sell
something on my web site. I might purchase a security
certificate from Verisign (or any number of other companies)
to prove to people visiting my web site that I am who I say I
am.

Before it grants the certificate, I will need to provide
Verisign with proof that I am indeed the person (or company)
that I claim to be. Verisign will ask me for documents,
notarized, such as a birth certificate (for a personal
certificate) or other documents from businesses. Several
documents must be presented in order for Verisign to grant
the certificate.

Okay, now you also have to understand that your browser
automatically comes with a number of security certificates,
including one from Verisign. Thus, when you visit my secure site
my certificate is retrieved. The browser sees that my certificate
was granted by Verisign, and checks it's own certificates and
finds Verisign. The browser then grants access to the secure web
page, since it has "proof" that I am who I say I am. This means
that a secure channel is now set up so the browser can talk to
the web site (and vice versa) without fear of someone listening
in on the conversation.

So in other words, Verisign is simply a trusted organization
which verifies that people (and companies) are who they say
they are.

Remember the purpose of security certificates is merely to
provide a means whereby you can trust entities (companies and
people) on the internet. A security certificate does not in any
way imply a web site is "good", will protect your privacy or
will deliver your products.

Let me stress that again - security certificates so not imply
anything about a web site except that it is what it says it is.
They DO NOT mean the site is trustworthy or valuable.

Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets
at http://www.internet-tips.net - Visit our website any time to
read over 1,000 complete FREE articles about how to improve your
internet profits, enjoyment and knowledge.

Information Security Awareness Training ? Secure Sockets Layer = E-Commerce Security

2009-04-25T00:28:00.000-07:00

It is not so hard, make webpage, find something what to sell and starting make e-commerce! In these days it is really easy, but much harder is find customers and get trust from them, because any business plan, even the most perfect, can totally fail without trust.
How to get this trust? How make webpage safe? How to known, that this webpage is dependable? That you can find out in this article!

Why e-commerce providers need customers trust?
Customer trust is really important because without that there is no business. E-commerce lean to trust... Internet is good way how to make money and also good way how to spend them, but this is also quite insecure place! Every day peoples suffer from identity thiefs and lost money, identity and reputation. Because it is so important make a place, where people-customer can feel safe and be sure that information which he hand over here, will never be use to make damage him! The trust is really hard to get and if you lose it once then it is big possibility that you lose it forever!

SSL ? Secure Sockets Layer
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is protocol for transmitting private documents through the Internet, and also it is a way how to make your webpage safer and get customer trust. Since 1994, SSL has been the main standard for e-commerce transaction security!

How SSL works?!
SSL encrypts data, like credit cards numbers (as well other personally identifiable information), which prevents the hackers or identity thiefs from stealing your information for malicious intent.

There are 5 steps, who describe SSL encryption:
1. A customer contacts your site and accesses a secured URL: a page secured by a Server ID (indicated by a URL that begins with "https:" instead of just "http:" or by a message from the browser).
2. Your server responds, automatically sending the customer your site's digital certificate, which authenticates your site.
3. Your customer's Web browser generates a unique "session key" (like a code) to encrypt all communications with the site.
4. The user's browser encrypts the session key with the your site's public key so only your site can read the session key. Depending on the browser, the user may see a key icon becoming whole or a padlock closing, indicating that the session is secure.
5. A secure session is now established--all communications will be encrypted and can only be decrypted by the two parties in the session. It all takes only seconds and requires no action by the user.(support.acmeinternet.com)

What is site digital certificate?
A digital certificate is an electronic file that uniquely identifies individuals and servers. Digital certificates serve as a kind of digital passport or credential which authenticate the server prior to the SSL session being established. A digital certificate contains an entity's name, address, serial number, public key, expiration date and digital signature, among other information. When a Web browser like Firefox, Netscape or Internet Explorer makes a secure connection, the digital certificate is automatically turned over for review. The browser checks it for anomalies or problems, and pops up an alert if any are found. When digital certificates are in order, the browser completes secure connections without interruption.
Typically, digital certificates are signed by an independent and trusted third party to ensure their validity. The "signer" of a certificate is known as a Certification Authority (CA).

How to known, that this webpage is dependable?
You know that you're on an SSL protected page when the address begins with "https" instead of "http" and there is a padlock icon at the bottom of the page (and in the case of Mozilla Firefox in the address bar as well).

SSL is just one of the ways how to make web page safer, but for now it is the most popular! Also hackers didn?t sleep and all the time try to find ways how to pass round this system and get data.
To get the newest information about information security awareness there are special training courses. So better be ready!

Article source: Infosecuritylab

www.infosecuritylab.com

Information Security Awareness Training - Secure Sockets Layer = E-Commerce Security

2009-04-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

Why e-commerce providers need customers trust?
Customer trust is really important because without that there is no business. E-commerce lean to trust... Internet is good way how to make money, and also good way how to spend them, but this is also quite insecure place! Every day peoples suffer from identity thiefs and lost money, identity and reputation. Because it is so important make a place, where people-customer can feel safe and be sure that information, which he hand over here, will never be use to make damage him! The trust is really hard to get and if you lose it once, then it is big possibility that you lose it for ever!

SSL - Secure Sockets Layer
Secure Sockets Layer or SSL is protocol for transmitting private documents through the Internet, and also it is a way how to make your webpage safer and get customer trust. Since 1994, SSL has been the main standard for e-commerce transaction security!

How SSL works?!
SSL encrypts data, like credit cards numbers (as well other personally identifiable information), which prevents the hackers or identity thiefs from stealing your information for malicious intent.

There are 5 steps, who describe SSL encryption:
1. A customer contacts your site and accesses a secured URL: a page secured by a Server ID (indicated by a URL that begins with "https:" instead of just "http:" or by a message from the browser).
2. Your server responds, automatically sending the customer your site's digital certificate, which authenticates your site.
3. Your customer's Web browser generates a unique "session key" (like a code) to encrypt all communications with the site.
4. The user's browser encrypts the session key with the your site's public key so only your site can read the session key. Depending on the browser, the user may see a key icon becoming whole or a padlock closing, indicating that the session is secure.
5. A secure session is now established--all communications will be encrypted and can only be decrypted by the two parties in the session. It all takes only seconds and requires no action by the user.(support.acmeinternet.com)

What is site digital certificate?
A digital certificate is an electronic file that uniquely identifies individuals and servers. Digital certificates serve as a kind of digital passport or credential which authenticate the server prior to the SSL session being established. A digital certificate contains an entity's name, address, serial number, public key, expiration date and digital signature, among other information. When a Web browser like Firefox, Netscape or Internet Explorer makes a secure connection, the digital certificate is automatically turned over for review. The browser checks it for anomalies or problems, and pops up an alert if any are found. When digital certificates are in order, the browser completes secure connections without interruption.
Typically, digital certificates are signed by an independent and trusted third party to ensure their validity. The "signer" of a certificate is known as a Certification Authority (CA).

How to known, that this webpage is dependable?
You know that you're on an SSL protected page when the address begins with "https" instead of "http" and there is a padlock icon at the bottom of the page (and in the case of Mozilla Firefox in the address bar as well).

SSL is just one of the ways how to make web page safer, but for now it is the most popular! Also hackers didn't sleep and all the time try to find ways how to pass round this system and get data.
To get the newest information about information security awareness there is special training courses. So better be ready!

Information security Awareness Training Infosecuritylab: http://www.infosecuritylab.com

SSL Certificates A Brief Summary

2009-02-14T03:45:00.000-08:00

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

SSL Certificates - Basic Requirement For Intra-Organizational Security And Virtual Private Networks

2009-02-10T23:11:00.000-08:00

There are many SSL Certification Authorities with Browser based security for Intra-Organizational security. As companies become more decentralized, they find themselves with employees all over the country and around the world. This presents a challenge for network managers - how to make their networks accessible for their staff as well as maintain reliable security measures. Network managers set up Virtual Private networks to achieve this task. Basically VPN's let you turn the Internet into your corporate network. Through the use of encryption, VPN connections are protected from outside users, safeguarding data and allowing the secure, remote use of important applications. SSL Certificates help you secure your VPN connections in the easiest way.

SSL Certificates are based on the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol. SSL is a protocol for managing the security of message transmission on the Internet. The SSL standard is not a single protocol, but rather a set of accepted data transfer routines that are designed to protect the integrity of transmitted messages. SSL relies on certificates - digital identification - and keys. Certificates include the name of the certificate authority that issued the certificate, the name of the entity to which the certificate was issued, the entity's public key, and time stamps that indicate the certificate's expiration date. SSL Certificates on your Virtual Private Networks or Intranets Serves the same purpose as Internet SSL - they make the communication between a server and a browser safe and secure.

Thus, if you have a large employee base which is spread across, you should consider SSL Certificates as a good means to secure your internal communications. The SSL VPN can be a good choice for schools, libraries and public kiosks where trust can be an issue but easy access is also important. Applications include Web-based e-mail, business and government directories, databases for educational institutions, file sharing, remote backup, remote system management and consumer-level e-commerce.

http://www.sslgenie.com SSLGenie (Global Certification Authority) is a leading Internet security expert and provides E-commerce Security Solutions. It offers Flash SSLGenie and Premium SSLGenie which cater to all kinds of industry segments. Flash SSLGenie is the entry level domain validated certificate, while Premium SSLGenie refers to the high assurance, high warranty, and the complete business validated certificate

SSL Certificates, Essential For Web Service Providers, Web Designing, Web Hosting And IT Companies

2009-02-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Any customer before buying web hosting would definitely verify the details about the company, so let your potential customers feel safe on your website with SSL certificates.

Why would a website with IT services need SSL?

Websites providing IT services should offer a secure interface to transfer the information if they are collecting sensitive information from their visitors, such as personal information or credit card details. Especially SSL plays a very important role in the websites with Member Areas or Control panels of the Domain and hosting customers, as they ask for the sensitive information like passwords and their personal details. For instance any website designing company, asking customers to fill in the form and give their personal data and requirements of the project, customer will check for SSL before sharing his sensitive information like e-mail ids, phone no. etc. to be protected from hackers and Spam.

• An SSL certificate proves the legitimacy of your business with complete verification of your company credentials.
• SSL makes sure the security of credit card information of your customers.
• Make your Web site a safe place for your visitors and customers.
• Increase customer confidence on your website.
• Secured Socket Layer Boost your Website's credibility and get you more customers for your services like hosting, web designing etc.
• SSL Certificates on your website shows your concern towards your customers' safety, which builds a positive image and goodwill.

Consequences of not deploying an SSL Certificate on IT Service providers-

Before a customer logs into his control panel and before providing his personal details and passwords, users check the security information of the Website, which can be proved through:

• The padlock symbol at the bottom line of your browser
• URL address shown at the top will begin with an https://
• Checking the File and then Properties of your website that will confirm that your browser and the website share the same security attributes.

Protecting your valuable customers' credit card and personal information is the most essential for any company be it be web designing, domain registration, hosting or an IT company, If you will not value your customer's security it may result into -

• You will loose a potential customer.
• If the visitors will not find the trust indicators (SSL Certificates), they may loose the whole confidence in your brand, products and services, and this may degrade your goodwill.
• It may decrease your visitor conversion rates and may effect your over all profitability
• You Competitors with SSL on their Website may capture the market.

So all the websites should secure their visitors and customers online access, passwords, communications, Valuable and highly sensitive information (Credit card details) and maintain their Privacy standards with a high assurance web server certificate.

www.sslgenie.com, the trusted Global Certification authority

SSL Certificates Requirement Of Online Booking Sites

2009-01-31T03:12:00.000-08:00

Customers are concerned about their safety and they look for the pad-lock icon at the bottom right of you browser.

Why would a website with online bookings need SSL?

An SSL certificate ensures that all data passed between the web server and browsers will remain private and confidential. SSL is an industry standard and is used by millions of websites to protect customers` online transactions and their valuable information.

• SSL certificates helps customers to make fast decisions and they are more likely to make an online booking as it develops trust between you and your visitors.
• To meet privacy, security and safety standards and to protect personal and sensitive data.
• Secured Socket Layer helps in increased visibility and accountability of your company.
• SSL Certificates are the most preferred method to secure credit card transactions and other sensitive data.
• SSL ensures the security of your credit card information when your customers book online.
• SSL makes your customers' information secure and safe from third parties.
• SSL encrypts your customers' name, credit card number and expiry date before they transmit over the Internet, which ensures the security of payment made for online bookings.
• SSL on your website shows your concern towards your customers' safety, which builds a positive image and goodwill.

Consequences of not deploying an SSL Certificate on a online bookings website -

Before making any online booking visitors check the availability of SSL, which can be proved through

Protecting your valuable customers' credit card and personal information is our number one priority which can only be done through SLS certificate, If you will not value your customer's security it may result into -

• Your prospective customers will go to your Competitors and do their bookings.
• Hackers and criminals may track the valuable information.
• Your prospective customers may loose confidence on you which can harm your goodwill.
• It may decrease your visitor conversion rates and may effect your over all profitability

www.sslgenie.com the Trusted First Global Certification authority, in India, having the highest level of security, 256 bits. SSLGenie sells the cost effective SSL at just $14.95 per year

SSL Certificates - Necessity For Educational Websites, Colleges And Universities

2009-01-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

Educational organizations are one of the major segments, which need to maintain unswerving, outmoded and highly secure system, which can protect sensitive & Personal data of the students and others who are attached to it.

Why does an educational website need SSL Certificate?

It should ensure the safety and security of the data shared online. Any educational website would need the SSL certificate as -

• It process sensitive data such as address, birth date, license, or ID numbers.
• To gain students confidence in your website and Services.
• SSL Certificates shows your concern towards your students and visitors online safety
• SSL is a mandatory feature for sites collecting personal data of the visitors/Students.
• Protect your students information from hackers from being misused.
• An SSL Certificate on your educational website will make sure that sensitive data is always safe from intrusive people.
• SSL is the demand for reliable online security.
• It keeps you ahead from the competition.
• Students will gain the confidence to communicate with you online.

Consequences of not deploying an SSL on your website -

Have you ever shared your personal data with a site that you were not sure whether its Secure or not? The same way you can loose your prospective students!!!! The majority of students now expect security on any online service they use, they anticipate any details provided by them via the Internet to remain confidential and not to be disclosed or shared. If you will not have SSL on your website it may result into

• Non-availability of SSL on any Educational Website may affect its brand image or Goodwill.
• You will loose some good and potential candidates.
• Hackers may track the valuable information, which can be misused.
• Potential and good Students might migrate to some other website where they feel safer.
• SSL is an essential method of encrypting data as it ensures that private information remains secure.

What is SSL Certificate?

SSL (secure sockets layer) is a communications protocol, which is now the global standard for security

SSL creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser to ensure that all data transmitted remains private and secure. The Secure Sockets Layer protects data transferred over http using encryption enabled by a server's SSL Certificate.

http://www.sslgenie.com the trusted Global Certification Authority for SSL, recommends its FlashSSLGenie Package for Educational websites.

Importance of SSL Certificates on Banking Websites

2009-01-14T22:30:00.000-08:00

It is possible for every piece of data to be seen by others unless it is secured by an SSL Certificate. Your customers won't trust your web site without it.

Why banks need SSL?

SSL Certificates are essential factor to gain Customers' confidence in your Services and Brand......

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer, which allows online users to create sessions with Internet sites that are safe and secure i.e. they have the least risk of external contravention. In an Online Banking website, the customers can only be secure with the use of SSL technology. An SSL Certificate ensures that all data passed between the Web server and browser remains private and secure.

To make online banking safe for its Customers all the banks must have SSL Certificates. SSL Certificates is the only answers to questions such as - Will my money be safe? Can someone steal my Personal information?, Can someone access funds or track my transactions?, Could a thief find a way to clean out my bank account?

Thus all the banking websites need SSL Certificates -

• To enhance Customers' Confidence in your Website.
• To get accepted globally - expand clientele from all over the world.
• SSL is mandatory for sites collecting personal or financial information from their customers.
• Most of the consumers now expect safety & security to the part of online services they use.
• You value privacy and expect others to trust you.
• Banks need to comply with privacy and online security requirements.
• SSL is a necessity if you have offices that share confidential information over an intranet.
• The most important is to protect your customer's transactions and provide visitors with proof of your digital identity.

What happens if a bank does not use SSL, What are the risks involved?

Customers are very careful while doing online banking. They are aware of SSL and check for HTTPS before logging in to the website. SSL, Secure Socket Layer is extremely essential for any website, which is collecting sensitive information like personal information, credit card numbers online. Especially banking websites should have SSL Certificates to secure the online transactions of their customer.

Consequences for not deploying SSL certificates on banking website are -

• Customer may rebuff to expose his bank account details to the Internet.
• Hackers and criminals may track the valuable information.
• You can lose a potential customer.
• Customers may loose faith and may go to some other bank.
• Non-availability of SSL on any Banking Website may affect its brand image or Goodwill.

What is SSL Certificate?

SSL (secure sockets layer) is a communications protocol, which is now the global standard for security SSL creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser to ensure that all data transmitted remains private and secure. The Secure Sockets Layer protects data transferred over http using encryption enabled by a server's SSL Certificate

SSL uses a cryptographic system that uses two keys to encrypt data - a public key known to everyone and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message. The public key is used to encrypt information and the private key is used to decipher it. When a Web browser points to a secured domain, a Secure Sockets Layer handshake authenticates the server (Web site) and the client (Web browser). An encryption method is established with a unique session key.

http://www.sslgenie.com , the trusted Global Certification Authority for SSL, recommends its PremiumSSLGenie Package for SSL for banking website.

What is a security certificate?

2008-10-29T23:48:00.000-07:00

Let's look at security certificates from the perspective of
dating. Let's say you are a woman looking for a date. How do
you know you can trust a person?

So in other words, Verisign is simply a trusted organization
which verifies that people (and companies) are who they say
they are.

Let me stress that again - security certificates so not imply
anything about a web site except that it is what it says it is.
They DO NOT mean the site is trustworthy or valuable.

Information Security Awareness Training ? Secure Sockets Layer = E-Commerce Security

2008-10-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Information Security Awareness Training - Secure Sockets Layer = E-Commerce Security

2008-10-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

About the Author

Information security Awareness Training Infosecuritylab: http://www.infosecuritylab.com

Digital Certificates and Secure Web Access

2008-07-23T01:44:00.000-07:00

Digital Certificates and Secure Web Access

Introduction

This paper describes the use of Digital Certificates as a mechanism for strongly authenticating users to web sites where identity information is required. Before the advent of digital certificates the only option for authenticating users to a site was to assign a username and password. Digital certificates on the other hand provide for much more robust access control and have a number of benefits over username and password.

Username and password authentication

Using username and password the process is generally as follows: each time a user wishes to access a web service the user navigates to the site and authenticate themselves to the application using unique username and password. This data is passed to the server (hopefully in an encrypted form), the application looks up the username and the password (or a representation of the password) in some form of access control list and provided the information matches the user is granted access.

This method has some obvious limitations:

* The username and password are passed over the web (encrypted or unencrypted) with the typical security concerns of interception.
* The systems administrator normally has unrestricted access to all usernames and passwords with associated security and liability concerns for the service provider (especially with confidential data)
* The user needs to remember as many usernames and passwords as are required by their applications leading to inevitable support issues to recover lost access data

Digital Certificate Authentication

The typical digital certificate web access process is:

The user navigates to the website. Before allowing access it checks the certificate against the access database. The user enters the password locally to confirming their access right to the certificate and is allowed to the website.

Benefits of certificates over username and password:

* General security is enhanced: the user needs both the certificate itself and the password to the certificate to gain access.
* The password is never passed over the web, not even during account set-up.
* At no stage do systems administrators have access to user passwords.
* The certificate can electronically sign data on the website with the benefit of non-repudiation.
* The user uses one digital identity with one password to access a range of applications (reduces passwords to remember).

Implementing Digital Certificates

All major web servers support client authentication via certificates. An SSL certificate on the web server (to support https) enables configuration of client authentication and only requires specification of the access rights for each directory served by the web server. Amend the web application to support client authentication by certificates. If any code was developed to handle user name and password, then the certificate credentials can be looked up in an access control list in just the same way. Client certificates are issued via a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) You can choose implement your own or use the services of a Managed Service Provider such as Diginus Ltd.

Wider Use

Once customers or employees have digital certificates, the same certificates can be used to digitally sign email, PDF and web forms and Microsoft Word documents. With a few small steps a corporate website can be transformed into the centre of a powerful web services infrastructure, with single sign on to multiple web applications, signed email and forms data exchange, all the time knowing exactly who is accessing the resources and data.

Jonathan Gay BA(hons) CISA MBCS, is an IS Security professional specialising in identity management and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) related matters. Jonathan works for Diginus Ltd the e-identity solutions company.

You can contact Jonathan via the Diginus Ltd web site www.diginus.com

Digital Certificates and Secure Web Access

2008-07-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

Digital Certificates and Secure Web Access

Introduction

Username and password authentication

Digital Certificate Authentication

Benefits of certificates over username and password:

Implementing Digital Certificates

Wider Use

You can contact Jonathan via the Diginus Ltd web site www.diginus.com

SSL: Site Security And Privacy

2008-06-30T23:11:00.001-07:00

Netscape began using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) in 1994 as a means of sending sensitive data over the web. The newer edition of the service is called Transport Layer Security (TLS), although even this is routinely known by the SSL designation.

Before the introduction of SSL it was difficult to ensure privacy over the web in online transactions. There was a general distrust of the ability to conduct online transactions and a fear that an individual?s credit card information could be picked up by a third party and used for unauthorized purchases.

What makes SSL unique is an encryption technique that sends credit card and other personal data through the web. This encryption technique makes the information totally useless to anyone who does not have decoding abilities. If a third party were to intercept the information it would be useless to them.

The use of SSL Digital Certificates also provides a unique level of trust because a certificate verifies the users authenticity. This is an important step in instilling trust in potential customers. Many savvy consumers will avoid an online retailer entirely if they do not use SSL.

Without the proper use of SSL, information such as credit card numbers, third parties with less than positive motivations could obtain passwords and personal identification numbers.

A 128-bit key that is harder to break and typically protects personal account information than the 40-bit key. If your name and address is all that is being protected a 40-bit key may be used; the higher bit the key, the greater level of encryption. Most financial institutions only use 128-but keys for the security of their client?s data.

As an online marketer you will likely be asking your visitors for personal data. Don?t be surprised if your potential customer determines their willingness to do business with you based on the security of your website. Many customers will look for the SSL symbol and will move along if the don?t find it. SSL use can also be recognized by a lock symbol in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. If the symbol is unlocked then SSL is not in use on the site.

SSL should be enacted on pages requiring a password or might contain personal data most clients would like to keep private. Some sites will place SSL on some pages and forget other pages that are equally as sensitive. For the sake of your personal experience with ecommerce you should implement SSL protocol.

:

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of HighPowerSites and many other web projects. HighPowerSites is the easiest do-it-yourself website builder on the web. Get your own website online in just 5 minutes with http://HighPowerSites.com at: http://www.highpowersites.com

Web Hosting Basics - Extended Validation SSL Certificates

2008-06-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

In 2005, a group of leading certification authorities (CAs) and Internet browsers came together to establish a more rigorous and harmonized approach to online SSL security.

Known as the CA/Browser Forum, the group decided a standardized Secure Socket Layer (SSL) method was needed, to prove a website?s authenticity across all browsers, for all CAs and for all Web users. In January 2007, new Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates were at last released worldwide, and are expected to greatly enhance eCommerce and boost the confidence of online shoppers everywhere.

Wayne Thayer, Vice President of Development for GoDaddy ? a world leading SSL Web hosting provider, domain registrar and major member of the CA/Browser Forum ? told TopHosts that the aim of EV SSL is to provide a much needed, unvarying way of ensuring legitimacy online.

?There were a number of major players that felt we needed to create some sort of standard we could bring to the marketplace,? Thayer said. ?A certificate that meant the same thing no matter where you bought it from.?

Up until the launch of EV SSL, Thayer explained many differing levels of SSL certificates could be obtained, but none really going beyond WebTrust ? a seal awarded to sites that adhere to certain business standards. Many different types of SSLs, like GoDaddy?s Turbo SSL and High-Assurance SSL, for example, provide great protection and online assurance, but may not abide by the same rules and regulations of other CAs and Web hosting providers. There is simply no uniformity among them, and they don?t address growing concerns regarding phishing, a form of Internet fraud that aims to steal valuable information such as credit cards, SSNs, IDs and passwords, through fake websites.

With EV SSLs, all CAs must adhere to the same security standards when processing certificate requests, while visitors to EV SSL-secured sites can trust that the online organization has undergone the same universal authentication process.

?The EV vetting process creates a very strong tie between the organization that is named in the certificate and the actual real world organization,? Thayer said. ?? EV SSL has a number of additional steps that make it much more difficult for fraudsters to perform phishing and pretend they?re something they?re not.?

The CA/Browser forum outlines a new EV SSL vetting process, which validates elements such as, the legal existence of the site, the legal name of the entity, a registration number, right to use the domain name, along with other legal indications. To apply for an EV SSL, the business must present a letter from an attorney or an accountant. The process verifies the organization?s identity, the validity of the request and the overall legitimacy of the business.

Unlike the standard padlock icon method used for all other SSL certificates, browsers with EV support will display a green address bar and a special label, which names the website owner and the CA that issued their certificate. This visual tool is especially useful for domains considered to be a high-risk target of phishing and other fraud schemes. Banking sites, auction sites, retailers and other financial services can better communicate their legitimacy to users, allowing visitors to confirm that any online information they volunteer is safe and protected by EV.

Currently, only Internet Explorer 7 and Opera 8 browsers are EV-ready and support the new visual indicators. Mozilla and Safari are known to be committed to supporting the concept of EV, with Firefox expected to implement it in their version-3 release.

So far, Thayer says adoption of EV SSL has been slow, but exactly what was expected. Larger eCommerce sites are taking to it more quickly, as they recognize its potential for combating phishing. But it might take longer for it to take off within the smaller business community.

Currently, the standard requires companies to be incorporated to qualify for EV, which severely limits adoption by smaller entities wanting the universal assurance EV SSLs offer. Thayer explained the difficulty behind implementation of EV SSL with smaller businesses, as they don?t maintain the same official documentation corporations do.

Instead, smaller businesses identify themselves through mainly state-level and local files, making it harder to apply them to the universal EV SSL approach. But Thayer says GoDaddy and the CA/Browser forum are working to establish EV SSL security for the smaller business community, in the near future.

Yet, as IE 7 becomes more widespread and as more SSL certificates begin to expire, companies will likely consider the advantages of EV and take on the new certificates.

?I think as you see Internet Explorer 7 gain more traction and as more begin to see and recognize the green address bar, we?ll see more adoption of these certificates,? Thayer said. ?It?s too early to tell right now, it?s only been a couple of months, so if most SSLs expire within a couple of years of issuance? we?ll see a majority of sites rolling over to EV by January 2009.?

George Di Falco is a Contributing Editor for http://www.TopHosts.Com He monitors the Web hosting industry and reports on a variety of technology related news.

How To Better Secure Your Windows

2008-06-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

After the front door or one of your home’s back doors, your windows are the second most probable targets for any burglar. As doors are often well protected nowadays, with the advances in home security, most burglars won’t even try to pick their locks or break them down and turn directly to your windows. Often neglected in terms of protection, windows can easily be bypassed by a clever burglar who can try to break the frame of the window without making too much noise, try to unlock the window from the outside or, if you made the mistake of leaving one of your windows slightly opened, squeeze his hand in and unlock the window from inside.

Basic tips on securing your windows

Some of these tips are quite obvious and won’t require any sort of complicated home security systems, so if you use common sense you’ll see why they’re required and try to follow them.

Close and lock your windows when leaving home

Leaving your window opened to allow your room some fresh air while you’re off to work, school or whatnot automatically puts you at risk of burglary and it’s quite a high risk that shouldn’t be neglected. A skilled burglar will immediately spot the open window and work his way around taking advantage of it. Even if you leave your window open with just a small crack of free space, the burglar can work his way from there and open it completely with the help of various tools, or even his or her hand. This tip mostly refers to situations where you leave home for periods of time that exceed 1 hour, but then again it would be wise for your own home’s security if you don’t open windows widely in a room when you know you’ll be in the other side of the house for a while. It only takes a matter of minutes for a thief to see the open window, sneak in, loot your stuff and get back out, with you being in the house!

Don’t forget about upper floor windows

Now this is one common home security mistake. People secure their doors, enforce their main windows, install alarms on them but leave their upper floor windows wide open! That’s just saying “come in and take whatever you want” to a burglar. Don’t think that just because the window is up there a burglar won’t get to it. Take into consideration that burglars are usually agile and fast (2 of the essential qualities a burglar needs to have in order to not get caught, right?) and getting to the upper story won’t be a major problem to them. Sometimes they’ll use the tools you have laying around the house to get there, so make sure you lock your ladders in your garage or storage house whenever you’re not around.

Getting a home security system that protects your windows

You will have to choose your home security system depending on the number of windows, doors and other areas you want secured, as they come with a limited number of zones they can cover. Most modern home security systems offer window alarms that can be set to trigger every time a window is forced opened or when the lock is tinkered with. One of the most ingenious home security components for windows that can be found today is the wireless “trip wire”. This is a sensor that will be attached to the window and when the window will open, it will hit the invisible trip wire, triggering the alarm.

Planned Home Security Gives The Peace Of Mind You Deserve.

Fraser Wheaton is the founder and publisher of The Home Security Reports website.

http://www.HomeSecurityReports.com

We aim to be the worlds largest content provider for home security information on the internet. If you have a home security question, chances are, we have the answer.

SSL Security and Why it's So Important For Your Business

2008-06-09T05:09:00.000-07:00

SSL stands for secure socket layer. This is what is used in making transactions on the internet secure. Many companies use ssl "secure socket layer" to encrypt important information. This could be for when people log into a website, use forms, securing shopping carts, etc.

Now I'm sure you may be wondering where to find a company that provides ssl "secure socket layer?" I find godaddy a inexpensive way to purchase a ssl "secure socket layer" for any business.

Some helpful tips on purchasing a ssl certificate:
1. Choose a company that is reptable and provides the ssl "Secure Socket Layer that your in need of."

2. You will need a dedicated Ip address.
What is a dedicated Ip Address? A dedicated IP address is a unique set of identifying numbers for a web site. No other website will be hosted on these numbers except for your website. This is very necessary for a e-commerce website.
What is e-commerce you may ask? E-commerce (electronic commerce or EC) is the buying and selling of goods and services on the Internet, especially the World Wide Web.
How do I get a dedicated Ip address? To get a dedicated Ip address you will need to contact the company that is hosting your website. You will need to pay for hosting and NOT try doing this on a free server or free hosting company.

3. Once you have chosen the company for your ssl "Secure Socket Layer" you will need to purchase the service.

4. Once you have purchased your ssl "Secure Socket Layer" you will need to go through the process of setting this on the provider of the ssl "Secure Socket Layer."

5. Once you have purchased your ssl "Secure Socket Layer" you will need to contact your hosting provider and have them setup the ssl information on the server.

6. A good example of a ssl certificate in use goto: Inspirational Hearts and click on secure connection.

Now I'm sure your asking your self why is this so important for my Business? Thats a good question. To answer your question, many people that purchase on the internet are wanting security. Getting a ssl "Secure Socket Layer" can help entice more sales.

I've been self employed and working on the internet since September 28, 2000. New World Products . Com has been in business now over 6yrs going strong. My company is registered with the state of Minnesota. I run a website hosting & design firm. I do SEO work on the side usually for my clients. My website is: http://www.newworldproducts.com/

SSL Certificates - Secure Server Certificates

2008-05-30T23:17:00.000-07:00

What is SSL?

SSL certificates are generally used with ecommerce shopping carts, or anywhere you want to collect information from a user securely on your website. If you use a secure server certificate with a form; and that form emails the results to you; keep in mind that the email is not secure.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Creates an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. CA (Certificate Authority): The vendor you will get the secure server certificate from CSR (Certificate Signing Request): A text file generated by a web server. A CSR looks like this:

-----BEGIN NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
MIIDGgBNAGkAYwByAG8AcwBvAGYAdAAgAFIAUwBBACAAUwB
AG4AZQBsACAAQwByAHkAcAB0AG8AZwByAGEAcABoAGkAYwl
L0ygNwwNIvKLMPq4/LcUkZ9Oo4AssXW5mvvhHWGz2RWYRhrw8o
-----END NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----

First, you need to decide whether to use your hosting shared SSL certificate if they offer it. The URL to your store will look something like:

https://theirserver.com/youruserid/your/path/to/store.html

Or do you want to get your own SSL certificate? The URL will look like:

https://yourdomainname.com

If you decide to use your hosts' shared secure server certificate, then all you need to do is find out the path you need to use to call your files securely, and you will be on your way.

If you decide to get your own SSL certificate, this is generally what happens.

You first need to decide who you are going to get your SSL certificate from. It is a good idea to make sure your host supports your particular vendor. Some certificate authority vendors are:

Thawte
Verisign
Comodo
You can also review several vendors at a glance at WhichSSL

Before getting your own SSL certificate, you will need to do some reading on what your chosen Certificate Authority requires for a secure certificate, and you'll also need to come up with some documentation. There are several steps to buying a secure server certificate, once you have decided on a vendor.

This is an overview, not written in stone. Each CA is different, so make sure you read their documentation and what they require. Here is an idea of what they want:

All documentation that is requested must match *exactly*. Secure certificate authorities will verify that your organization actually exists, so they know they are issuing to the correct company. You will need to prove that the Organization Name and the Domain name are in fact yours to use.

Steps you'll be taking:

Gather required documentation
Have your host generate a CSR
Complete certificate authority online application
Certificate authority will process your request
Pickup and install your SSL certificate (usually an URL is emailed to you to download the secure server certificate)
Depending on the vendor, it can take a few hours to a few days.
Send secure certificate to host for installation. (Send in plain text)

Once your web hosting provider receives this information; they will generate the CSR and send it back to you in plain text. You then send it on to Verisign or Thawte, or whoever you have chosen as your secure certificate authority. They will then generate a SSL certificate for you which you will send back to your host for installation. Your web host may charge a fee for installation in addition to what your SSL certificate vendor charges.

Something to think about:

If you've decided to purchase your own SSL certificate, you will need to decide how you want your URL to be called. If you, as a rule, call your domain name in your coding as www.yourdomainname.com, then make sure you indicate this to your host when you request a CSR from them. If you don't, and you get the certificate for yourdomainname.com (without the www), this will cause browser errors, making the certificate seem insecure, and you will need to change your coding.

Always use yourself or your company as technical contact.

How to tell if a site is secure?

After you've browsed to a site securely; using https:// in the URL, look on the lower right hand side of your browser. You should see a closed lock. This will tell you the site is secure.

ELizabeth Ramer has been working in the web hosting industry since 1997. Visit Flawebworks Web Hosting for web hosting and articles.

SSL Certificates: The Credit Card Protector

2008-05-28T04:17:00.000-07:00

So you want to create a site, that will take get people to pay online. In order for them to do this they need to pay with Credit Card. So you purchase an account with an online Merchant, and want your site to collect the Credit Card information to collect payment.

Now can you do this on your normal page? No, you should not! Why? Because if the page is not secure, then the potential of your customers credit card number getting in the wrong hands is likely! And we don't want such a thing to happen to our customers. So how do we protect the Credit Card Number? A Thing we call SSL Certificates.

First things first. What is a SSL Certificate?

A SSL Certificate makes your site have a URL with https instead of just http. What does that little s make a difference? It does because with the Certificate, your page is encryped in a Secure fashion, and other groups are not able to view what you do online, and are not able to get secure information such as the credit card number. The goal of the SSL Certificate is to keep your information exchange or purchases with credit card transactions encrypted and secure.

What else does an SSL Certificate do for me?

The main positive aspect of an SSL Certificate, is it shows customers they can do business with you safely. Your visitors, prospects, and customers are on their guard and worry about their personal and financial information being leaked to people who should be getting it. You can turn these same customers' concerns into a competitive advantage by showing them you keep their information a secure manner. With SSL Certificates 256-bit encryption and 99% browser recognition, customers can be confident that their information will not be put in the wrong hands.

The SSL Certificate verifies:

You were approved to be issued the certificate.

WebTrust Seal of assurance for Certification Authorities

Make sure you get your SSL Certificate to Boost Customer Confidence in purchasing online on your site, and to protect those Credit Card Numbers from falling into the wrong hands!

Domains at Retail is a high quality SSL Certificate Reseller created to help everyone get the cheapest rate for SSL Certificates and the cheapest rate for Domain Names and Web hosting solutions on the Internet (http://www.domainsatretail.com/securessl.html)

Visit at: http://www.domainsatretail.com Download our Free Web Site Startup Ebook: http://www.domainsatretail.com/DomainsAtRetail.pdf

SSL Certificates-What They Are

2008-05-26T00:04:00.000-07:00

There is hardly any doubt that the Internet has successfully created new opportunities for e-commerce. However, that expansion has also attracted cyber criminals. This industry is always on the threshold of new threats from hackers. This is where a fraudulent web site impersonating a legitimate business attempts to woo unsuspecting visitors into divulging personal information. Until now we don’t have a solution of this problem, but now we have a wonderful solution in shape of a Secure Sockets Layer.

Secure Sockets Layer which is also known as “SSL certificates” is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. This digital certificate is used with the most popular security protocol on the Internet. Without this encryption, packets of data travel networks in full view. Anyone can see the data and manipulate it to imitate other users.

Today maximum e – commerce sites are using this digital certificates to keep secure their customers valuable information. That’s why when we make a purchase on the Web and notice the closed lock icon at the bottom of our browser or the HTTPS:// prefix in the URL, it means now all data passed between the web server and browsers remain private and integral.

Today gaining the trust of online customers is vital for the success of any e-commerce based business. Now any web server company can enable “SSL Certificates” in their web server and secure their data by using four simple steps. These steps are:

1) Obtain SSL Certificate(s),

2) Produce a Certificate Signing Request,

3) Register for a SSL server certificate,

4) Establish the SSL server certificates.

Some time many companies find problem to manage their multiple sub domains security. For them there is another certificate is present which manage secure multiple websites with a single certificate. We call this wildcard certificate. This certificate is a cost effective and well-organized way of securing multiple sub domains without the need to manage multiple certificates. You may get ssl certificates, digital certificates, and verisign certificates from places like http://www.ssl.com , and other sites on the net.

When VeriSign issues an SSL Certificate it acts as a Certification Authority (CA). It digitally signs each certificates. Each browser contains a list of Certification Authorities to be trusted. When the SSL handshake occurs, the browser verifies that the server certificate was issued by a trusted CA.

Deepak

http://www.ssl.com

Web SSL Certificate Unleashed

2008-05-23T05:22:00.000-07:00

Today, Internet is not a very safe place. Information transmitted through online sometimes read by other people. There are many ways that malicious people (known as crackers) can learn the information visitors are exchanging with your website, and obtain sensitive information (for example, passwords or credit card numbers). It could also be possible that they presented to unaware customers a modified version of your website hosted on their server, in order to collect some important information from them.

In order to fight this, a special Internet protocol called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer was created (when speaking of viewing Web pages over SSL, often the term HTTPS is used).

SSL is a global standard security technology developed by Netscape in 1994. SSL is all about encryption. It creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser. The link ensures that all data passed between the web server and browser remains private and secure and is recognized by millions of consumers by a secure padlock, which appears in their browser.

The SSL protocol is used by millions of e-Business providers to protect their customers ensuring their online transactions remain confidential. In order to be able to use the SSL protocol, a web server requires the use of an SSL Certificates are provided by Certification Authorities (CA) who in most cases also offers additional products and services to aid e-Businesses to demonstrate that they are trustworthy. Consumers have grown to associate the 'golden padlock', that appears within their browser display, as an indication of trust in the web site. This simple fact allows e-Business providers an opportunity to leverage that increased trust level to turn visitors into paying customers - so long as you know which type to choose.

Online transactions are not considered to be safe by most of the users. With the advent of hacking incidents, and unauthorized sharing of personal data with third parties, the users are even more careful about making online transactions. So for businesses which have ecommerce presence or have corporate intranet where the users and company’s data security is of paramount importance, the most significant way is SSL certificate.

You would require a Web SSL Certificate, if:
• You have an online store or accept online orders and credit cards.
• Your business partners log in to confidential information on an extranet
• You have offices that share confidential information over an intranet.
• You process sensitive data such as address, birth date, license, or ID numbers.
• You need to comply with privacy and security requirements.
• You value privacy and expect others to trust you.

Although the certificate authority market is quite diverse you purchase the same according to your need and budget; there are many offerings in different price ranges, with the Open Directory Project identifying 22 third parties offering the service and more than 20 root certificates bundled into Internet Explorer and Firefox—it is dominated by a few major firms.

According to a June 2005 survey from Netcraft and similar January 2007 tallies from Security Space, the largest vendors are: VeriSign plus its Thawte subsidiary (www.verisign.com), Equifax via its GeoTrust subsidiary (www.equifax.com), Comodo (www.comodo.com), GoDaddy/Starfield (www.godaddy.com), Entrust.net (entrust.net), and Digicert (www.digicert.com). Together these six have approx 95% of the market, depending on the measurement methodology, while Verisign Still holds the largest market share of 72%, While comodo approx 18%, Geotrust 3.43%, Entrust approx 2.5 %, GoDaddy approx 1% and rest about 3 to 4%.

Although there is no functional difference between the SSL certificates issued by these recognized CAs. Vendors do establish product distinctions through a variety of added features and in the level of company validation.

As with most services, competition has proven beneficial for Web site operators, with the abundance of vendors pushing costs for business-class certificates down. Given their potential abuse by phishers and scam artists, businesses should avoid using the bargain basement, domain-only products, while those wishing to provide the highest level of security to their users should consider the new EV certificates.

Shakir Husein is the CEO of Dynamic Intel. Dynamic specializes in secured ecommerce solutions and content management systems. More articles on ecommerce and CMS can be accessed at Pacific Articles .