SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security Protocol for establishing an encrypted link connecting a browser and a web server, and help consumers to verify the business owner of the site, You still seen the Difference between http:// or https://.  This link ensures that all data passed among the server and browsers stay private and essential.

What is an SSL Certificate?

— A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate incorporates a digital signature to bind together a public key with an identity. SSL Certificates enable encryption of sensitive information during online transactions, and in the case of organizationally validated Certificates serve as an attestation of the Certificate owner’s identity.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the World Standard for Web Security. SSL technology confronts the potential problems of unauthorized viewing of confidential information, data manipulation, data hijacking, phishing, and other insidious Web site frauds by encrypting sensitive data so that only authorized recipients can read it. In addition to preventing tampering with sensitive information, SSL helps provide your Web site’s users with the assurance of having accessed a valid Web site. Support for SSL is built into all major operating systems, Web applications, and server hardware — meaning that SSL’s powerful encryption technology helps provide your business with a system-wide, liability limiting security blanket for fortifying consumer confidence, boosting the percentage of completed transactions, and enriching the “bottom line.”

Who needs SSL Certificate?

• Ecommerce websites collecting credit card or other payment details.
• Standard websites collecting customers personal information.
• Websites having a login and sign up form on your website.
• File sharing, database connections and internal networks.
• To secure Email and Application Server like MS Exchange Server, MS SharePoint Server and other Email Application Server.
• To secure Mobile Website and Mobile Applications.

What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process that translates secret information into worthless information. With SSL certificate there is a key. The key allows the right people to be able to decrypt the information. It is important when you are protecting personal payment information or other confidential information.

When you are working with each little piece of information is called bit. A bit is smallest part of information. Bit is represented as number. Number of bit is equal to the number of characters. 40 bit encryption is not very strong. 128 bit and 256 bit are stronger than 40 bit.

How does encryption work?

Encryption process is designed to prevent theft during the transmission of data on the internet. Encryption works as taking a bit of information and processing it with a formula that translates secret information into meaningless string of letters and numbers. This encrypted string can be sent to the internet so none would be able to read this. When the string reaches to its destination a same formula applied the string to decrypt it.

128 bit encryption has 88 more bits of key length than 40 bit encryption means there are 2⁸⁸ more combinations. 128 bit encryption is very secure and is hard to crack the code. 256 bit encryption is even stronger. Both 128 and 256 makes use of a special algorithm.

128 bit encryption is enough for you if you don’t need advance level of security because 128 bit encryption is more than sufficient. If you want the extra security, and your business can handle the expense of increased security, it might be worth it to you.