SSL certificate for the site: what is it for?

Data protection is becoming more relevant asdevelopment and dissemination of information technology. Not the last role in this business is played by an SSL certificate for the site. What is it for? How to install / connect the certificate? Is it possible to test its performance?

general information

Initially, let's see what isrepresents the SSL protocol. Its name translates as "level of secure sockets." It is used to protect data transmitted on the Internet by millions of sites. By using this protocol, a high level of security between the server and the user is ensured. Its use involves the transfer of all data over the HTTPS channel, and decryption can only be done using a special key. The high reliability of this protocol is supported by the fact that it is used by all financial institutions. Of great importance in this scheme is an SSL certificate for the site. What is he like?

SSL certificate

For the site, it is something of a kinddigital signature. It is necessary for all banks, payment systems and other organizations that work with personal data. Thanks to it, transactions are protected and unauthorized access to information is prevented. It may contain the following information:

1. The domain name for which the certificate is created.
2. Legal entity owning it.
3. The physical location of the subject for which the certificate is being created.
4. Validity.
5. Details of the company that formed the certificate.

This file is used to confirm the results of the identification of the owner and the legality of the actions taken. This is what the SSL certificate for the site is for.

What are they like?

There are several types:

1. With domain verification. They are also called entry level certificates. This is the most common option that is ubiquitous. The time spent on their issuance takes from two to ten minutes. You can also get a free SSL certificate for the site. This does not require the presence of special documents, and simply checks the level of human access to a specific resource (confirming domain ownership). So this option is ideal for small projects and sites that do not need a lot of trust from visitors.
2. With email checking. In this case, the certification center will send a letter where it will be necessary to follow the link and confirm the validity of the action. In this case, the letter goes to the address that was specified during domain registration.
3. Check with DNS. In this case, the requirement is to create a special record in the DNS, which is checked by the certification authority.
4. Using a special file. In this case, the owner must upload the provided document to his server. After the certification authority is satisfied that this requirement is met, a certificate is issued.

Here's how to connect an SSL certificate to the site. What way you like it - and choose this. But there is another possibility.

Option for reputable services and companies

In this case, the issuance ofcertificates only after checking the company. This option is suitable for those who want visitors to have confidence in their products, services and companies. In such cases, certification authorities perform thorough checks. You need to send the required package of documents and wait for a call to your corporate phone. When the SSL certificate is installed on the advanced sample site, the security bar in green is displayed in the address bar. This is exactly what we see on the pages of banks and payment systems. Often, subdomain support is additionally offered. This is a good option in case of significant branching of the site structure.

How can I know that the site is safe?

There are many ways to do this. The easiest is to simply look at the address bar of the browser. If it is green, then everything is in order. And if not? Do not rush to draw conclusions, it is likely that there is protection. To check the SSL certificate of the site in this case, you need to view a brief information about it by clicking on the appropriate button. Each browser places it in its own way, but most often they can be found to the left of the address bar. Also, as an option, use special applications and services that allow you to find out if the data is protected, what is transmitted from the site or not.

Where to get them?

How to install an SSL certificate on a site in the worldnetwork? To do this, contact the company that specializes in this. If we talk about paid certificates, then their cost can reach up to five thousand rubles per year. But there is an opportunity and free to ensure the security of their data. True, to count on the level of banks in this case is not necessary. To obtain a certificate after selecting a company, it is necessary to decide on which tariff will be serviced. If security is simply ensured, this is one amount. And if there is a desire to still tell customers in green that they may not worry, this is a completely different thing.

Why do site owners increasingly use SSL?

Now e-commerce is actively growing. And in the global network, security is paramount. Many people are repelled by the need to transfer personal data to someone else. After all, I so want to have a guarantee that all the information provided will be kept secret. If a potential client does not have such confidence, he is unlikely to buy something. And the presence of SSL allows us to state that the organization treats this with respect, and it will ensure that the data do not fall into the wrong hands. Of course, the mere presence of a certificate still does not give full confidence. After all, for completeness, one should also ensure the safety of internal channels in the organization, its divisions and the reliability of employees. But the certificate says at least that these questions are not an empty sound.

How does all this work?

So, we already know that certificates are used.to ensure confidential communication between the server and the client. But how does the encryption mechanism work? The data in this case is encoded using the public key. Then they are forwarded. The recipient has a private key. And only using it, you can decode the information and find out what it is about. To ensure that everything happens without problems, protocols of record and handshake are used. The first is necessary in order to determine the format that will be used for data transfer. The handshake protocol is needed during the first connection between the client and the server when exchanging a series of messages. When the page of the site where there is a certificate opens, the browser receives identification information from the server. From him comes a copy. After receiving the certificate, the browser begins to check its authenticity. In the case of a positive outcome, he reports this to the server. After that, a virtually signed agreement is sent that allows encrypted data transfer. And after that, with the help of a certificate, any transmitted data is encrypted, which goes to the client. At the same time, the usual http transfer protocol is changed to https. The last letter s means that the channel is protected.

Conclusion

Why did the need arise in all thesecertificates? Alas, the reason for this is sad - a large number of scammers on the network. Fake sites, trying to extract money from inattentive and gullible people - all this requires the adoption of certain measures aimed at ensuring security. To have an idea of ​​the total expression of offenses that are carried out in this area, it is enough to give a small example: the cases of fraud that are registered cause losses for hundreds of billions of US dollars per year! Agree, truly a grand scale!

But why, if there is a rather extensiveA set of methods of protection, still committed offenses in this size? The fact is that from a technical point of view, everything looks good. The same SSL hack is now on the verge of science fiction. But, alas, there is a human factor. The banal indulgence on the part of the person, the neglect of the safety rules and the malicious intent of the responsible officials of the relevant structures - all this leads to the fact that fraud in this area reaches a truly enormous scale. Some risks are outside our area of ​​responsibility. But in other cases, the study of safety behavior with information technology can significantly reduce the ability of criminals to rob people.