Secure Web Hosting With SSL Certificates

by Josh Ewin

SSL certificates are used by many businesses on line to create a secure atmosphere for their clients. These applications formerly known as Secured Socket Layers encrypt data so that information can be stored and used with confidence online. With fear of hacking and stealing of vital information on everyones mind this type of security is vital to your business. Without it your information is easily available to others online. SSL protocol uses a Certificate Authority to provide third party security for both transaction parties. It is a well-used technology that is proven and the industry standard for top security online.

Websites are hosted mostly with the objective of business. E-commerce sites like that of E-bay, Amazon.com, Dell etc, involve exchange of confidential information through internet. Other sites like, Paypal which is a payment gateway, involve payments through credit cards. Customers use their PIN numbers and other confidential information for such online payments. If encryption was not there, for all these confidential information, then such data would have been extracted by miscreants resulting into severe damages.

Manipulation of secured data could have been possible too. Though SSL technology for securing data is not absolute, still hacking can be restricted to a large extent. This digital certificate is used by several e-commerce sites where valuable customer data are exchanged everyday. After conducting a transaction process via a website, users often get to see a change in the URL, it becomes HTTPS://. This also signifies that the information exchanged till now, with the website, is secure.

The benefits that a properly installed SSL certificate can provide are many. Just a few examples of these are:

* Customer Confidence in SSL certification

The web host you choose targets your requirements exactly. You as the website owner select the customers looking for your products and use that website to exchange the necessary information with security and confidentiality. Your webhost will install an SSL certificate using the requirements you outline for your needs. Here are the three signs to look for to see if your site is secure: A padlock in the closed position showing in your browser, the https replacement for http in your URL and the SSL seal on the site. Those hallmarks will alert you and your customers to a sites security for tension free, reliable transactions.

* Provides protection for privileged customer data:

You can measure the ability of a web host to meet all of your business needs by its ability to install an SSL certificate. The technology used to encrypt data is shown in bytes, of which your web host should have exact knowledge. Your customers data will be protected and your reputation will build as a result.

* Enable a quick certification

Your web host must be able to provide certification quickly. It is there business to provide these services and they have ample resources available to them for the creation of SSL certificates. However, for the business owner that creates their own web site adequate knowledge must be obtained in order to be successful.

* Meeting Regulatory Requirements of SSL certification:

This can be a very tricky area and you must know all of the regulations surrounding your business in order to provide the proper security. A web host has a wide variety of clientele and should meet the needs of many different institutions. SSL certificates comply with the HIPPA and Sarbanes-Oxley and others to be sure you comply.

How to select the right web host for installing SSL certification:

* Web-based User Friendly Control Panel

The control panel is used to manage the features of an account. Control panel would enable management of server easily. Look for such a host who can provide a user friendly control panel.

* Web hosts should provide dedicated IP address

Your host must be able to provide you with a dedicated IP address. This is essential for using SSL certificate programs and FTP accounts.

* Watch out for hidden charges

The web hosts have a typical tendency to add hidden charges. After the installation is complete they include that in the list of charges. Such hosts, who dont provide a clear estimation, should always be avoided.

* Maximum compatibly with popular browsers:

Chances are good your customers will not use the same browser as everybody else. Your host should provide installation of certificates that work on all popular browsers.

* Complete user instructions

The web host you choose should provide all the information you need to be able to understand the workings of SSL installation. They should help you through every step even if you do not know which pages you need to encrypt and which you do not. SSL allows individual pages to be turned on and off when it is not necessary.

* Shared SSL certificate

Shared SSL certificate is often issued to authentic Web hosts. These web hosts are responsible for installing SSL certificate in the same way as they do with dedicated certificate. However, such secured certificate is linked with each Secure Site Seal that is issued to every domain owners. Such shared SSL certificates enable the top-level domains to encrypt their data. A web host performs all these tasks as they have special expertise.

How is SSL certificate installed?

Step 1:

The domain where the SSL certificate would be installed should have its own dedicated IP address. The Web host has knowledge of it as they will be handling the entire process.

Step 2:

When they begin the installation process of the new SSL certificate they check to be sure the site owner has requested it.

Step 3:

When a web host opens the control panel they look for the Install SSL certificate and Setup the Domain, and click on it. A window appears with the wizard to install the certificate.

Step 4:

In that wizard, they paste the certificate which is obtained from SSL vendor. Note: This is not the same as that of CSR

Step 5:

When the next box opens a Domain section appears. This is where the SSL is applied. In another field labeled user the control panel name is added followed by the dedicated IP address to install the certificate.

Step 6:

Finally to end the installation process the host pastes the RSA private key and its complete. Note: The process may vary from host to host. The above is a general scenario to provide a description of the process.

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