Drizzle Internet NW - FAQ - What is an SSL Certificate? Do I need one?

What is an SSL Certificate?

A secure server certificate resides on a web server. Combined with the security components built into the web server and the visitor's browser, the secure server certificate:

Confirms to a visitor's browser that the company represented by your domain is, in fact, the company listed in the certificate.
Sends all confidential information (such as credit card numbers) from the visitor's browser using encryption that prevents the information from easily being intercepted.

These functions are performed automatically by the web server and browser, without any intervention required by the user.

It is possible for many web browsers to display the text of a secure certificate. In Netscape, simply click on the lock icon at the bottom of the window. Unfortunately, it's not easy to get this information if you're using Internet Explorer. If you're planning on using a certificate, you should download a browser that can show this data and look at a few certificates from other sites. This can help you understand how the certificate information is presented.

Do I need an SSL certificate?

Determining whether or not you need a certificate is simple.

You will need a secure certificate if:

You want your customers to transfer confidential information through your web site.

You will not need a secure certificate if:

You will be using someone else's certificate. This will apply if you're using a shared secure server offered by a third-party online store and/or shopping cart service, or if you use a shared secure server offered by your payment system or gateway that may have been included with your merchant account.

Next:How do I get (or renew) my SSL certificate?