What is an SSL Certificate and Why Does Your Website Need One?
Introduction: QuickServers Is the First Step to Security
We at QuickServers think that website security is more than just an extra feature; it's a basic need. Every domain that goes online should have the same level of security and trust as a well-known brand or a big online store.
An **SSL certificate** is the first step in building that foundation.
What is a certificate for SSL?
An SSL certificate, or Secure Sockets Layer certificate, is a digital credential that protects the connection between your website and its visitors. It makes sure that data, like login information and payment information, stays private, authentic, and tamper-proof while it is being sent.
When you install SSL, your website's URL starts with https:// and visitors see a padlock icon in the address bar of their browser. This is a sign of trust and safety that everyone can understand.
At QuickServers, we tell all of our customers to use SSL to protect their reputation, data, and the trust of their visitors.
How SSL Encryption Works
SSL (and its successor, TLS—Transport Layer Security) uses public-key encryption to protect data that is sent between browsers and servers. Here's a simpler way to explain the process:
1. Handshake and Authentication:When someone goes to your site, their browser checks your SSL certificate to make sure they are who they say they are.
2. Setting up encryption: After the verification process is complete, the server and browser agree on an encryption key.
3. Secure Transmission: Data that is sent is encrypted, so even if it is intercepted, it cannot be read or changed.
Our hosting platform at QuickServers fully supports this encryption handshake, which means that your hosted domains will always be safe without any effort on your part.
Why SSL is Necessary for All Websites Hosted by QuickServers
1. It keeps private information safe.
SSL keeps hackers from stealing personal information, forms, passwords, and payment information by encrypting them. Encryption is the first thing you should do to protect your small business, portfolio, or online store.
2. It Makes You Trust Right Away
People feel safer when they see a padlock symbol and https:// on a website. It's the simplest way to show that you are trustworthy and professional. We've learned at QuickServers that SSL sites not only gain trust, but they also keep more customers.
3. It stops warnings from browsers.
If a website doesn't have SSL, modern browsers show alerts that say "Not Secure." This warning could scare away potential customers right away. When you use QuickServers to protect your site, these warnings go away and visitors know that their safety is important to you.
4. It helps your SEO rankings
Google likes security. Sites that use SSL are ranked higher because people think they are more trustworthy. SSL is an SEO advantage for QuickServers customers that helps them get more organic traffic.
5. It's important for transactions and following the rules
SSL is not optional if your website takes payments, collects personal information, or manages user accounts. It is required for PCI DSS compliance and for your online business to be credible.
Different kinds of SSL certificates
All SSL certificates use strong encryption, but they are not all the same in terms of validation level and coverage scope. QuickServers works with standard formats, so customers can install what works best for them:
Domain Validated (DV): Quick verification; great for personal or small business sites.
Organization Validated (OV): Confirms business information; good for professional and corporate sites.
Extended Validation (EV): Shows verified organization name in the browser bar; great for brands that need to build customer trust.
You don't need to know anything about computers to install, renew, and manage SSL certificates directly from your account dashboard.
QuickServers' Promise to Keep Your Website Safe
We don't see SSL as just a box to check at QuickServers; it's a key part of responsible web hosting. We want to make security that is good enough for businesses available to all website owners.
SSL protects your visitors, your business, and the trustworthiness of your brand. QuickServers' built-in SSL management tools make it easy, safe, and sure that you can do it.
