SSL certificate

SSL certificate is a type of digital certificate that provides website authentication, encryption, and data integrity for secure connections. It is issued by an SSL Certificate authority, such as Thawte or VeriSign, to identify a website and to guarantee that all data sent between the web server and the browser is encrypted.

Website owners can apply for an SSL certificate by proving their identity and ownership of the domain. Once the application is approved, the SSL provider will issue a certificate which is then installed on a web server. After the certificate is installed, then website visitors will see a padlock icon in their browser indicating that the website is secure.

SSL certificates are often used for online transactions such as shopping and banking. By running the connection between the server and the browser through an encrypted connection, it keeps sensitive information safe and secure from hackers and other unwanted individuals.

It is important for website owners to install an SSL certificate on their website because it adds an extra layer of security and trustworthiness. It also helps to improve the website’s rankings in search engines. Google, in particular, rewards websites that have an SSL certificate installed with higher search engine rankings.