SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is a standard security protocol, used to end-to-end encrypt communications between two systems over TCP/IP networks.
To understand if a site has an active certificate you can:
In simple words: during a data communication between client server and web server, the latter sends its digital certificate to the browser that verifies its validity and, if positive, starts the secure connection. In essence, the SSL certificate is a real guarantee of reliability because, thanks to the protection key, it will be possible to encrypt data and personal information such as logins and passwords, credit card numbers, documents and contracts.
Nowadays certificates are based on the
TLS ( Transport Layer Security ) protocol, even if the spam number data name of its predecessor, SSL, is still used. In fact, SSL and TLS have the same function.
What are the two threats that an SSL certificate can prevent?
1. Advanced persistent threats
Also known as APT ( Advanced Persistent Threats ), they are conducted by hackers with considerable technical expertise capable of carrying out large-scale attacks over extended periods of time. Increasingly, malware is specifically designed to steal decryption keys in order to extract and use data.
To protect your site from advanced persistent malware, you need to use the HTTPS protocol by installing and validating an SSL certificate.
2. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks
MITM attacks involve impersonating a trusted, authoritative website in order to appear trustworthy to users and eavesdrop on conversations. There are several ways a hacker can break a secure SSL/TLS connection to launch a MITM attack. For example, a social listening is an essential tool website’s server key can be stolen, allowing the hacker to impersonate the server. Or the certificate authority (CA) can be compromised and the root key stolen.
MITM attacks can result either from a client’s failure to validate its SSL certificate against a CA, or when a client is compromised and a rogue CA’s certificate is installed on it.
MITMs pose a serious threat to online security because aleart news they allow attackers to acquire and. Manipulate sensitive information and data, such as login credentials and credit card numbers.
How to Tell if a Site Has an SSL Certificate
Check for a padlock , which indicates “ the connection is secure ”, by clicking. On the icon to the left of the URL.
Check the existence of the HTTPS protocol by clicking on the URL in the address bar.
How to get a free or paid SSL certificate?
There are different types of SSL certificates, starting from the free. Let’s Encrypt and then moving on to the paid SSLs, which ensure.