SSL Certificate – What is it?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital security certificate used to secure network connections between a user's browser and a web server. The primary purpose of an SSL certificate is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the internet by encrypting transmissions. SSL certificates are issued by trusted certificate authorities (CAs) and confirm the authenticity of a server and its right to use a given internet domain. By using an SSL certificate, data transmitted between the user and the server is protected from interception or manipulation by third parties, increasing the security of users accessing the website.
How does an SSL certificate work?
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a key tool in ensuring the security of data transfer between a user and a web server. The main function of an SSL certificate is to encrypt data transferred between a user's browser and the server, preventing third parties from intercepting this information.
Data encryption is performed using advanced cryptographic protocols such as TLS (Transport Layer Security), which ensures the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted information. Additionally, an SSL certificate also contains information about the website owner's identity, which is authenticated by the user's browser. This ensures that the user is connecting to a legitimate website and not a fake or malicious one.
SSL certificates are issued by trusted Certification Authorities (CAs), which conduct an identity verification process before issuing the certificate. Entering an SSL certificate on a website enables the establishment of a secure HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) connection, further enhancing user security when browsing and transmitting sensitive data.
Types of SSL certificates
Domain Validation (DV) Certificates
- The most basic type of SSL certificate.
- It only verifies domain ownership.
- It is issued automatically, without manual verification.
- It offers communication encryption, but does not provide a high guarantee of site authenticity.
- A good choice for simple websites and blogs.
Organization Validation (OV) Certificates
- Offers a higher level of security than DV certificates.
- Verifies the identity of the organization that owns the domain.
- Requires manual verification, which may take several days.
- Provides greater user confidence in the website.
- A good choice for companies and organizations that want to build credibility online.
Extended Validation (EV) Certificates
- The highest level of security among SSL certificates.
- They are subject to the strictest verification processes, which can take several weeks.
- They display a green bar with the company name in the browser address bar.
- They ensure the highest level of user confidence in the website.
- A good choice for companies and organizations that handle confidential data or financial transactions.
Benefits of having an SSL certificate
- Data security : Encryption of data transmitted between the user and the server.
- Credibility and Authenticity : Confirmation of the identity of the website owner.
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements : Meeting requirements regarding the protection of personal data.
- SEO : Positive impact on search engine rankings.
- Increase user confidence : Improve user experience and sense of security.
How much does an SSL certificate cost?
DV certificates can be found for as little as several dozen zlotys per year .
OV certificates usually cost from several dozen to several hundred zlotys per year .
The most expensive EV certificates can cost up to several thousand zlotys per year .
Additional factors influencing the price:
- Number of domains secured: Multi-scope (SAN) and wildcard certificates, which protect multiple domains, are more expensive than single-domain certificates.
- Customer Service Level: Some providers offer 24/7 customer service and additional services at a higher price.
- Supplier Brand: Well-known and reputable suppliers may charge higher prices for their certificates.
Shopify SSL Certificate
Shopify provides its online stores with a free SSL certificate that's automatically installed and activated. This certificate is a Domain Validation (DV) certificate, meaning it only verifies domain ownership.
A free SSL certificate on Shopify ( Shopify in Polish ) offers a number of benefits, including:
- Communication encryption: Protects data transmitted between the store and customers from being intercepted by third parties.
- Personal data protection: This is especially important for stores that collect personal data such as login details, email addresses, or payment card details.
- Increased trust: An SSL certificate builds trust with your customers, which can lead to increased conversions.
- Improve SEO: Search engines prefer websites with SSL certificates, which can improve your store's ranking in search results.
However, please note that the free Shopify SSL certificate has some limitations:
- Doesn't offer a green address bar: The green address bar is only visible for OV (Organization Validation) and EV (Extended Validation) certificates, which Shopify doesn't offer for free.
- Less guarantee of site authenticity: DV certificates offer less guarantee of site authenticity than OV and EV certificates.
If you need a higher level of security and trust, you can consider purchasing a paid SSL certificate from Shopify. Shopify Experts offer OV and EV certificates from various providers. Paid certificates offer a range of additional features, including:
- Green address bar: Builds trust with customers and improves the store's image.
- Page Authenticity Guarantee: Assures users that the page is authentic and belongs to your company.
Customer Support: Access to 24/7 customer support from your certificate provider.
