SSL Certificates - Secure Server Certificates

SSL certificates are generally employed with ecommerce shopping carts, or anywhere you want to collect information from a user securely on your web site.epassport If you use a secure server certificate with a form and that form emails the results to you maintain 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... What is SSL? SSL certificates are typically used with ecommerce shopping carts, or anywhere you want to collect data from a user securely on your site. If you use a secure server certificate with a form and that form emails the results to you preserve in mind that the e-mail is not secure. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Creates an encrypted link among 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: -----Start NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- MIIDGgBNAGkAYwByAG8AcwBvAGYAdAAgAFIAUwBBACAAUwB AG4AZQBsACAAQwByAHkAcAB0AG8AZwByAGEAcABoAGkAYwl L0ygNwwNIvKLMPq4/LcUkZ9Oo4AssXW5mvvhHWGz2RWYRhrw8o -----End NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST----- First, you want to determine regardless of whether to use your hosting shared SSL certificate if they provide it. The URL to your retailer will look one thing like: https://theirserver.com/youruserid/your/path/to/store.html Or do you want to get your personal SSL certificate? The URL will appear like: https://yourdomainname.com If you choose to use your hosts' shared secure server certificate, then all you need to do is find out the path you want 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 takes place. You very first need to determine who you are going to get your SSL certificate from. It is a great idea to make positive your host supports your distinct vendor. Some certificate authority vendors are: * Thawte * Verisign * Comodo * You can also evaluation a number of vendors at a glance at WhichSSL Just before acquiring your personal SSL certificate, you will require to do some reading on what your chosen Certificate Authority calls for for a secure certificate, and you will also want to come up with some documentation. There are many steps to purchasing a secure server certificate, as soon as you have decided on a vendor. This is an overview, not written in stone. Each CA is distinct, so make certain you read their documentation and what they need. Here is an idea of what they want: All documentation that is requested ought to match *precisely*. 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. Actions you will be taking: * Collect required documentation * Have your host create a CSR * Complete certificate authority online application * Certificate authority will approach your request * Pickup and install your SSL certificate (typically an URL is emailed to you to download the secure server certificate) * Based on the vendor, it can take a handful of hours to a few days. * Send secure certificate to host for installation. (Send in plain text) When your web hosting provider receives this information they will produce 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 produce a SSL certificate for you which you will send back to your host for installation. Your internet host may charge a fee for installation in addition to what your SSL certificate vendor charges. Some thing to think about: If you have decided to obtain your personal SSL certificate, you will want to determine how you want your URL to be known as. If you, as a rule, call your domain name in your coding as www.yourdomainname.com, then make positive 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 result in browser errors, making the certificate seem insecure, and you will require to modify your coding. Constantly use yourself or your organization as technical contact. How to tell if a website is secure? Right after you have browsed to a web site securely making use of 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 internet site is secure.