What does SSL certificate do and why do I need it?

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate are required to secure user data, confirm site ownership, prevent attackers from creating a fake version of the site, and ensure user trust.

If using a website involves logging in, entering personal information such as credit card numbers, or viewing sensitive information such as health insurance information or financial information, it is important to keep this data private. SSL certificates help keep online transactions private and give users confidence that the site is authentic and secure for personal data entry.

More importantly for businesses, SSL certificates are required for HTTPS web addresses. HTTPS is a secure form of HTTP, meaning that HTTPS website traffic is encrypted with SSL. Most browsers flag HTTP sites that do not have SSL certificates as insecure. This signals to users that the site may not be secure and is an incentive for companies to switch to HTTPS.

An SSL certificate helps protect information such as:

• Login credentials.
• Credit card transactions and bank account information.
• Personal information: full name, address, date of birth, phone number.
• Legal documents and contracts.
• Medical records.
• Confidential information.

In addition to providing security for website visitors, having an SSL certificate can also improve your website’s search engine rankings. Overall, an SSL certificate is a critical component of website security and is necessary to protect your website and your users’ sensitive information.