An SSL certificate is a small data file that digitally binds an organization’s details to a cryptographic key. This certificate activates the lock when installed on a server and ensures that the connections from a browser to the web server are secure. SSL is typically used for securing credit card transactions, log-in details, data transfers, etc. Nowadays, it is used to secure browsing through social media platforms.
What the SSL certificates bind together are:
- The identity and location of an organization.
- A hostname, server name, or domain name.
SSL certificates make it possible for a website to go from unsecured HTTP to a secure HTTPS connection. SSL certificates also make it possible to have SSL/TLS encryption. This data file is usually hosted on the origin server of a website. They contain the identity and public key of the website and other related information. When devices attempt to hold communication with the origin server, they have to reference this data file before getting the public key and then verify the server’s identity. The website’s private key is always kept safe and secure.
