What is a SSL certificate?
SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is sometimes also referred to as a digital certificate. SSL certificates enable a secure communication between the web server and the visitor’s web browser. It plays the role of encrypting all the data files and information that are sent between the web servers and the visitors to the website. If any malicious activity aims to intercept the data files in the course of their transfer, then the data files will remain unreadable because of the encryption attached to them. As such, the information cannot be altered or stolen because of the encryption provided by SSL certificates.
To establish whether or not a website has been installed with an SSL certificate, you have to check for a padlock in the address bar of your browser. Websites with an SSL certificate will thus appear as HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Are SSL certificate mandatory?
In 2017, Google announced plans to flag all websites without SSL certificates. Online security has become a key necessity to any website. The reason is because of the increasing number of cyber breaches and insecurities that has left most websites in devastating situations. Google wants to correct this trend and it will require all websites to have an SSL certificate. So, if your website does not have an SSL certificate, then it is about time you should start thinking about acquiring one. Most web browsers such as Google and Mozilla have made it mandatory for all websites to be served with an HTTPS encryption. To make sure that this transition came to effect, the browsers developed a new security warning that will alert the website visitors whether or not their connection is secure.
Are SSL certificates expensive?
Now that you understand what SSL certificates are and why they are so necessary for the security of your websites, the question you should be asking yourself is how much it costs to install an SSL certificate on your website.
Well the good news for you is; if you choose us to host your website with Webb Design UK, they are FREE! All of our hosting packages include a free SSL certificate for the entirety of the time your website is hosted with us, we wont charge per year like other companies for something so critical to your website.
Does having a SSL certificate slow down your website speed?
No. SSL certificates do not reduce your web page load speeds but instead increase the load speeds. SSL certificates work with the HTTP/2 protocol which plays a critical role in improving the general performance of your website. If you install an SSL certificate on your website, the website will be able to load faster because of the HTTP/2 protocol. HTTP/2 protocol enhances the multiplexing feature. With it, the server can make requests and receive several web elements by just a single connection. In doing so, latency is reduced because the user will not have to wait multiple messages before getting the website page that they are trying to access. SSL certificates, therefore, play a vital role in increasing the speed of your website.
Conclusion
With the increasing cases of cyberattacks and security breaches, you do not have a choice but to be on the safe side all you require is an SSL certificate to secure all your connections. Do not wait until it is too late. Start planning on encrypting all your websites with an SSL certificate. Or better still, host your website with Webb Design UK and we will include the security for free.
