Why do I need a ssl certificate?

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are a key for secure Internet communications. They increase the confidence of visitors in the credibility of your website.

SSL certificates guarantee the authenticity of a website identity through a specific validation process executed by a certification authority. SSL certificates demonstrate that you have incorporated high security standards in the Internet communication. The certified SSL encryption assures that information is kept private between your server and the clients' browsers.

 

There are three categories of validation

1. Validation through domain authentication
The authentication and issuance process verifies that the applicant either owns the respective domain or that he has the right to use that domain name. This is usually done by sending an approver email to an email address located under the respective domain.

2. Validation through full organization authentication
Validation includes business identity authentication, domain name verification and verification that the organizational contact applying for the certificate on behalf of the company or organization is an employee of that organization.

3. Authentication through Extended Validation (EV)
This is the highest level of authentication available with an SSL Certificate; a signed acknowledgement of the agreement from the corporate contact is required. With Extended Validation visitors using see the address bar turns green when they visit the website, a visible sign that the site is highly authenticated, trustworthy and that the customers information is secure. In addition to the Green Address Bar, browsers display the authenticated organization name and the CA that issued it. These features are immediately visible and give customers the confidence to complete their transactions.

 

Please note

The integration of SSL certificates requires a server to host the certificate on. You need some prior knowledge, for example how to create a CSR file.

 

Example: How to create a CSR file

Please replace „www_example_com“ with your domain name in the following example how to create a CSR file.

If you use Linux, please enter the following command in order to create a CSR:

 

Details for the CSR

Now the details for the CSR are requested.

Country Name (2 letter code) [AU]: DE
State or Province Name (full name) [Some-State]: Saarland
Locality Name (eg, city) []: Saarbruecken
Organization Name (eg, company) [Internet Widgits Pty Ltd]: My Company
Organizational Unit Name (eg, section) []: Hostmaster
Common Name (eg, YOUR name) []: www_example_com
Email Address []: info@example_com
Please note: We recommend to enter the approver e-mail here.

 

Please skip the last two input fields by using the Return key:

A challenge password []:
An optional company name []:

 

Example: Content

After you have created the CSR file, please enter its content in the lower text field. The content of the file www_mydomain_de.csr should look similar to the following example:

 

Important:

Keep both created files without fail!

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