What is an SSL Certificate, and How Much Does it Cost?

Protecting user information and securing data is essential for any online presence. With increasing cyber threats and growing privacy concerns, implementing an SSL certificate is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your visitors. This straightforward yet powerful method enhances security on your website.

• What is an SSL Certificate?
• Types of SSL Certificates
• How SSL Certificates Work
• How to Purchase an SSL Certificate
• Benefits of Using SSL on Your Website
• How to Identify a Secure Website
• Summary

What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL Certificate is the Secure Sockets Layer protocol that creates secure communication between a client and server. This is done by both server and client authentication and negotiating an encryption algorithm and cryptographic keys.

Internet users associate SSL with the padlock that appears in your browser's address bar when you enter the secure area of a website. They know to look for this before entering personal or financial information online. If information is entered on an unsecured website, the data is transmitted from your computer to the web server unencrypted and viewable in plain text. Anyone sniffing packets on the network or the internet can capture and use your information fraudulently.

Types of SSL Certificates

Choosing the right SSL Certificate depends on your website’s needs. Here are the main types:

• Domain Validated (DV) SSL: Basic encryption; verifies domain ownership; ideal for blogs and personal sites.
• Organization Validated (OV) SSL: Confirms business legitimacy; recommended for small businesses.
• Extended Validation (EV) SSL: Highest verification level; displays the company name in the browser; ideal for eCommerce and financial websites.
• Wildcard SSL: Secures a domain and its subdomains.
• Multi-Domain SSL (MDC): Covers multiple domains under one certificate.

Free Shared SSL (Let's Encrypt) is a basic security option included with Bluehost hosting. It's ideal for low-traffic websites but offers limited features like shared trust and frequent renewals. Single Domain SSL is a paid certificate with stronger security, domain validation, and annual renewals. It's recommended for websites handling sensitive data or aiming for better SEO and browser compatibility.

How SSL Certificates Work

SSL Certificates use encryption to protect data. Here’s how the process works:

1. When you visit an SSL-secured website, your browser requests its SSL Certificate.
2. The website sends a copy of its certificate, which the browser verifies with trusted authorities.
3. Once validated, encryption keys are exchanged to create a secure connection.
4. All transmitted data is encrypted, preventing unauthorized access.

This process encrypts all transmitted data, which prevents unauthorized access and ensures that even if hackers intercept the information, they cannot read or misuse it.

However, you may encounter an SSL browser warning in specific situations. This warning can be safely disregarded if you attempt to load a domain via HTTPS that does not have an SSL certificate installed. If you ignore this warning, you'll likely be directed to a 404 page. The best way to avoid such warnings and allow your content to load securely via HTTPS is to purchase an SSL certificate. This will not only eliminate browser warnings but also enhance the security of your website.

All Bluehost customers have a free shared SSL Certificate available through Let's Encrypt for all assigned and parked domains and subdomains. These should be installed and activated themselves. Please see A Guide to Free SSL Certificates with Let's Encrypt for more information on manually activating your free SSL certificates.

How to Purchase an SSL Certificate

Bluehost offers the following SSL Certificate plans tailored to your website's needs.

• Single Domain SSL: Ideal for personal websites, blogs, or portfolios.
• Wildcard DV SSL: Suitable for businesses with multiple subdomains.
• Extended Validation SSL: Best for eCommerce websites and organizations that handle sensitive data.

To learn about SSL pricing, check your Account Manager or visit our website at https://www.bluehost.com/ssl-certificates.

For detailed instructions on how to purchase SSL, please refer to the How to Purchase or Renew SSL Certificates article.

Benefits of Using SSL for Your Website

Here are some reasons why you should consider implementing SSL on your website:

• Enhanced security: By using SSL, you protect your site visitors' sensitive information and prevent hackers from intercepting it. SSL encrypts the data transmitted between your site and its visitors.
   
• Improved search engine ranking: Having an SSL certificate can improve your site's visibility online. Better search engine rankings can result in increased website traffic.
   
• Secure online transactions: SSL ensures the safety of your site's online payments, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and chargebacks.
   
• Compliance with industry standards: SSL helps you comply with secure payment processing standards, demonstrating your commitment to safeguarding user data and respecting privacy.

How to Identify a Secure Website

When a website doesn't use SSL, its address starts with 'HTTP' (like http://example.com), which means the data sent between the browser and the server isn't secure. Browsers often warn users that these sites aren't safe, and any information entered is sent in plain text, making it easy for hackers to steal login details.

On the other hand, websites that use SSL start with 'HTTPS' and encrypt the data being sent. This means that when visitors share information like passwords or credit card numbers, it can't be intercepted. Secure sites also show a padlock icon next to the URL in the address bar, indicating that the data shared is protected though the appearance may vary depending on the browser you're using.

Summary

Obtaining an SSL certificate for your website is a crucial step in securing your online presence and protecting the sensitive data of your visitors. By migrating from HTTP to HTTPS, an SSL certificate establishes an encrypted connection between the web server and the browser. This ensures that personal information, login credentials, and financial transactions remain private and protected from cyber threats.