How to Buy SSL Certificate: A-to-Z Guide for Beginners!

‍In this article, I am going to tell you How to Buy SSL Certificate? so if you want to know about it, then keep reading this article. Because I am going to give you complete information about it, so let’s start.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is a protocol used to establish a secure and encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. SSL was developed to ensure the secure transmission of data over the internet, especially sensitive data such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal information.

SSL works by using encryption algorithms to scramble the data being transmitted between the server and browser so that even if someone intercepts the data, they won’t be able to read it. In addition to encryption, SSL also uses digital certificates to verify the identity of the web server, ensuring that the website is authentic and not an imposter trying to steal data.

SSL has since been replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), which is a more secure version of SSL. However, the term SSL is still commonly used to refer to both SSL and TLS. HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the implementation of SSL/TLS in web browsing and is denoted by the lock symbol in the browser’s address bar.

Today’s article focuses on the same,i.e, “How to Buy SSL Certificate” The articles entail each bit of information necessary for you to know.

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Table of Contents

What is SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that provides secure communication over the internet. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is a protocol used to encrypt data transferred between a web server and a web browser.

An SSL certificate contains a public key that is used to encrypt data and a private key that is used to decrypt data. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, the web server and the web browser exchange these keys to establish a secure connection. This ensures that all data transmitted between the web server and the web browser is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access.

In addition to providing encryption, SSL certificates also provide authentication. This means that the user can be sure that they are communicating with the intended website and not an imposter or attacker.

Websites that require users to enter sensitive information such as credit card details or login credentials should use an SSL certificate to protect this information. Browsers indicate that a website is using SSL by displaying a padlock icon in the address bar or displaying the website URL with “https” instead of “http”.

How to Buy SSL Certificate?

To buy an SSL certificate, you need to follow these general steps:

Choose the type of SSL certificate you need: There are several types of SSL certificates available, including Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), and Extended Validation (EV). Choose the type of SSL certificate that best suits your website’s needs.
Select a reputable SSL certificate provider: There are many SSL certificate providers to choose from, such as DigiCert, Comodo, and GlobalSign. It’s important to choose a provider that is reputable and trusted by browsers and users.
Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): A CSR is a file that contains your website’s information and is used to create your SSL certificate. You can generate a CSR using your web hosting control panel or server software.
Submit the CSR and other required information to the SSL certificate provider: Once you have generated a CSR, submit it to your chosen SSL certificate provider along with any other required information. This may include proof of ownership of the domain, company information (for OV and EV certificates), and payment information.
Install the SSL certificate on your web server: Once you have received your SSL certificate, you will need to install it on your web server. This process may vary depending on your web server software, but your SSL certificate provider should provide instructions and support.
Test the SSL certificate: After installing the SSL certificate, test it to make sure it’s working correctly. You can use online SSL checker tools to verify that your website is using SSL and that the certificate is valid.

It’s important to keep in mind that the process of buying and installing an SSL certificate may vary depending on your web hosting provider and server software. However, the general steps outlined above should apply in most cases.

How Does SSL Certificate Works?

An SSL certificate works by encrypting data that is transmitted over the internet between a web server and a web browser. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, the following process occurs:

The web browser sends a request to the webserver to establish a secure connection.
The web server responds by sending its SSL certificate to the web browser.
The web browser verifies the SSL certificate to make sure it’s valid and issued by a trusted certificate authority.
If the SSL certificate is valid, the web browser and web server establish a secure connection using a unique session key.
The web browser and web server use the session key to encrypt all data transmitted between them.
The encrypted data is transmitted over the internet.
When the encrypted data reaches its destination, the web browser and web server use the session key to decrypt the data.

This process ensures that any data transmitted between the web server and web browser, such as login credentials or credit card information, is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access. SSL certificates also provide authentication, ensuring that the user is communicating with the intended website and not an imposter or attacker. Browsers indicate that a website is using SSL by displaying a padlock icon in the address bar or displaying the website URL with “https” instead of “http”.

How to install SSL Certificate?

The process of installing an SSL certificate can vary depending on your web hosting provider and server software, but the general steps are as follows:

Obtain the SSL certificate: You can obtain an SSL certificate by purchasing one from a trusted SSL certificate provider. Once you have purchased the SSL certificate, the provider will usually send you a certificate file via email.
Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR): A CSR is a file that contains your website’s information and is used to create your SSL certificate. You can generate a CSR using your web hosting control panel or server software.
Submit the CSR and other required information to the SSL certificate provider: Once you have generated a CSR, submit it to your SSL certificate provider along with any other required information. This may include proof of ownership of the domain, company information (for OV and EV certificates), and payment information.
Receive the SSL certificate: After your SSL certificate provider verifies your information, they will send you the SSL certificate files via email.
Install the SSL certificate on your web server: The exact process for installing an SSL certificate can vary depending on your web hosting provider and server software. In general, you will need to log in to your web hosting control panel or server software and follow the instructions provided by your SSL certificate provider to install the SSL certificate.
Verify the SSL certificate installation: Once you have installed the SSL certificate, you can verify that it’s working correctly by accessing your website using HTTPS. Browsers will display a padlock icon in the address bar or display the website URL with “https” instead of “http” to indicate that the website is using SSL.

It’s important to keep in mind that the exact process of installing an SSL certificate can vary depending on your web hosting provider and server software. Your SSL certificate provider should provide instructions and support for installing the SSL certificate on your specific platform.

SSL Certificate Checker

An SSL certificate checker is a tool that allows you to check the validity and installation status of an SSL certificate. Here are some popular SSL certificate checker tools:

SSL Shopper SSL Checker: SSL Shopper SSL Checker is a free online tool that checks the SSL certificate of a website and provides information about the certificate’s validity, expiration date, and installation status.
Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test: Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test is a free online tool that checks the SSL certificate of a website and provides a detailed report of the SSL configuration, including information about supported protocols, ciphers, and vulnerabilities.
SSL Checker by RapidSSL: SSL Checker by RapidSSL is a free online tool that checks the SSL certificate of a website and provides information about the certificate’s validity, issuer, and expiration date.
DigiCert SSL Installation Diagnostics Tool: DigiCert SSL Installation Diagnostics Tool is a free online tool that checks the SSL certificate installation on your web server and provides instructions on how to fix any issues.

Using an SSL certificate checker is a good way to ensure that your website’s SSL certificate is valid and installed correctly. It’s important to regularly check your SSL certificate to ensure that it’s working properly and to prevent any potential security issues.

FAQs:)

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about SSL certificates:

Q: What is an SSL certificate?

A: An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that verifies the identity of a website and encrypts data transmitted between the website and web browser to protect it from unauthorized access.

Q: Why do I need an SSL certificate for my website?

A: An SSL certificate is important for any website that collects sensitive information from users, such as login credentials, credit card information, or personal data. SSL certificates help protect this information from hackers and identity thieves.

Q: How do I know if a website has an SSL certificate?

A: You can tell if a website has an SSL certificate by looking for the padlock icon in the address bar or by checking if the website URL starts with “https” instead of “http”.

Q: How do I install an SSL certificate on my website?

A: The process for installing an SSL certificate can vary depending on your web hosting provider and server software. In general, you will need to obtain the SSL certificate, generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), submit the CSR to your SSL certificate provider, receive the SSL certificate, and install it on your web server.

Q: How long does an SSL certificate last?

A: The validity period of an SSL certificate varies depending on the type of certificate and the certificate authority that issued it. Generally, SSL certificates last from one to three years.

Q: Can I get a free SSL certificate?

A: Yes, some SSL certificate providers offer free SSL certificates, such as Let’s Encrypt. However, free SSL certificates may have limitations, such as a shorter validity period or less comprehensive validation.

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