What is a security certificate?

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

• 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 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