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Being new to website security can be tough. There may be a lot of terms that you’re not so familiar with, and a lot of new concepts that keep on emerging.

If you’ve been trying to familiarize yourself with web security, youve probably come across the term SSL. But what is SSL and how does it work?

Heres a basic rundown on the things you should know about this web security tool.

What is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s a privacy tool that establishes an encrypted link between the browser and the server. In other words, SSL is the technology used to make sure that the information exchanged between the browser and the server is secure. It actually provides one of the highest degrees of privacy on the web.

How does SSL work?

By now, you might be wondering how SSL works in order to secure a connection. The whole process actually evolves in encrypting the data.

Normally, what happens is that when there’s an exchange of information form the browser to the server, other people might be able to access it. Through this, they’ll be able to get vital information such as credit card info, SSNs, and the like.

But with an SSL, the information exchanged from the browser to the server is encrypted. This means that when anyone else tries to access the information, all they will get is a distorted form of the data. It converts the data in such a way that it becomes near-impossible for third parties to decrypt it.

Aside from encrypting data, SSL also serves as a verification tool. What it does, is it runs an authentication process to ensure that both the browser and the server are actually who they claim to be.

Moreover, SSL also provides a digital signature. This also makes it an authentication tool. It digitally signs data in order to certify that the data is not tampered with as it travels to the intended receiver.

Getting certified

Getting an SSL certification is easy. All you have to do is submit a CSR or Certificate Signing Request to the SSL Certificate Issuer or Certificate Authority. The Certificate Issuer will then create a data structure that will match your private key. After which, it sends you the certificate and you have to install it to your server.

Importance of SSL

Knowing what SSL can do and how SSL works will help you realize just how important it is to web security. It’s a tool that not only creates secure connections, but also establishes trust between the sender of the data and the intended recipient. It helps ensure the secure sending of data online, and makes both the sender and the receiver feel more at ease with the exchanges.

Having a website for your business allows your consumers, new and old, to reach you whenever they wish to go online. It also provides them with access to your latest news, offerings, and of course, 24/7 contact should they have any inquiries.

The problem with websites though, just like other things, is that theyre not 100% secure. Hackers can come from another side of the world and still gain access to your internal information not just your business details, mind you, but the confidential information of your users too. This is why a website security service is something that you should consider spending additional revenue on, as a part of your website maintenance regimen.

But how exactly do websites get hacked? Well, there are different ways hackers can infiltrate your business website. It doesnt matter if yours is a large company, or one thats just starting out. By having a published site online, youre prone to the same malicious tech attacks just like everyone else.

Most of the websites we visit these days have some form of log-in requirement that you have to abide by, to gain access to the page. This process will then come with authentication, and then authorization stages that you have to fulfill prior to gaining access. Its also one of the primary avenues by which hackers gain control over a website.

There are different ways to log into a website. Theres the hosting panel, server, third-party apps, social media sites, and so on and so forth. A hacker just needs to find a vulnerable point in any one of these, to gain access to your system.

And then there are weak points in the software. Your website might be working perfectly from the front-end, yet the back-end may be encountering some glitches. When software is vulnerable, these weak points also provide hackers with opportunities to control your site without you noticing.

Only a handful of site owners know how to address these problems, and this is why its wise to work with security professionals when it comes to cyberspace. Although they wont be able to prevent all attacks on your system, they can build a wall around it, monitor everything, and inform you of potential attacks, reducing the onset of hacking by a significant degree.

Finally, hackers can get into your system not because of any problems within your site, but because of issues concerning the third-party services that you may be working with. Especially when you partner with ad networks, you should know that these are the pages most prone to malware attacks.

The problem with third-party sourced hacking is that theres really nothing a website owner can do to control it. But by working with a service provider who can manage the security requirements of your site, you can prevent the issue from happening, or resolve it once red flags are raised by the server.

Stop for a minute and think about how you go about searching for products and services. These days, you probably open up a web browser and search online rather than reaching for a phone book. The same is true for most other people. As a business owner, that means that you need to get your company online if you want people to be able to find it.

Even a simple website can go a long way toward helping you reach more people. You don’t need an elaborate site with all of the bells and whistles. Instead, a basic site that has information about your company and your contact details is usually enough. Here are three ways that affordable web design can benefit your business:

1. Reach a large audience without spending a fortune. The money that you invest in your website can quickly be recouped through increased sales or leads. Having a site that is easy to use and easy to find can help you grow your business by connecting you with a larger audience of potential buyers.

2. Create a professional image. Having a website can help your company seem more legitimate. This is especially true if the website is professional looking, loads quickly, and is easy to navigate.

3. Customize your site to your needs. When you hire a company to build a website, you can have them customize it specifically to your company’s needs. This provides you with a great deal of flexibility in terms of the way that your site looks and functions.

Affordable web design can help you reach more customers and grow your business. Just make sure to choose a web design company that provides high-quality sites. That way your site won’t look cheap even if it was extremely affordable to build.

Salterra is a complete Affordable Web Design and Search Engine Optimization company based in Scottsdale/Phoenix AZ, our team has metropolitan experience with a small town personality. This adaptability and sophistication gives us the range to interact professionally with all sizes of companies and corporations. No matter the size of your business, we value your decision to integrate us as a part of your support network. Salterra specializes in everything from graphic design, web developement, Internet marketing and on-line services, our team will not only provide you with a user-friendly and striking website design, but we will also ensure that the site reinforces your brand, increases traffic, and increases customer loyalty.