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Installing an SSL Certificate with your Web Host

Secured Socket Layers are also known as "SSL certificates" which are widely accepted and technologically proven standard security technique used for encrypting data. This is such a digital certificate that is applied with the popular security protocol on web. If this encryption is not there then packets of data would travel without confidentiality. Technically, Security Socket Layers or SSL ensures security of data transactions in between web servers and browsers. The SSL protocol use a third party which is a Certificate Authority to identify either both ends or single end of a transaction.

Websites are hosted mostly with the objective of business. E-commerce sites like that of E-bay, Amazon.com, Dell etc, involve exchange of confidential information through internet. Other sites like, Paypal which is a payment gateway, involve payments through credit cards. Customers use their PIN numbers and other confidential information for such online payments. If encryption was not there, for all these confidential information, then such data would have been extracted by miscreants resulting into severe damages.

Manipulation of secured data could have been possible too. Though SSL technology for securing data is not absolute, still hacking can be restricted to a large extent. This digital certificate is used by several e-commerce sites where valuable customer data are exchanged everyday. After conducting a transaction process via a website, users often get to see a change in the URL, it becomes "HTTPS://". This also signifies that the information exchanged till now, with the website, is secure.

There are manifold benefits of SSL certification installation which a professional web host can provide:

SSL certification increases customer confidence:

The web host that is selected by website owner targets their exact requirement. The website owner can have several online customers who would like to purchase and exchange information with the website confidentially. The web host, based upon such requirements of the website owner, installs SSL certifications. SSL features three signs of security: A closed padlock which is visible in the browser window, 'https' in the URL and SSL site seal. These three security indications help the customers go tension free, this increasing reliability and authenticity of a website.

Protects the confidential customer information:

The success of a web host is measured when they are able to install SSL certificates effectively. Encryption technology can be measured in bytes, of which the web host will have a vivid knowledge. If they can implement it, secured data of customer can be shielded, thus building reputation of the website.

Enable a quick certification

Web hosts can help you obtain quick certification in a short time. They are always stuffed with ample resources and skilled people thus installation of SSL certification is always at their finger tips. But if someone is planning to do it alone for his/her own website, then adequate knowledge coupled with resources will have to be there.

Helps in meeting regulatory requirements

Web hosts can cater to all types of clientele or website owners right from health care to finance. But there are several company websites that need to abide by government regulations as far as the protection of confidential data is concerned. SSL Certificates help in meeting such regulations like HIPPA or Sarbanes-Oxley etc.

How to select the right web host for installing SSL certification:

Web-based User Friendly Control Panel

The control panel is used to manage the features of an account. Control panel would enable management of server easily. Look for such a host who can provide a user friendly control panel.

Web hosts should provide dedicated IP address

The host should be able to provide a dedicated IP address which is essential for secured socket layers and Virtual FTP accounts.

No hidden charges:

The web hosts have a typical tendency to add hidden charges. After the installation is complete they include that in the list of charges. Such hosts, who don't provide a clear estimation, should always be avoided.

Browser compatibility:

The certification that they install should have maximum browser compatibility. Users should be able to log on and use the website from almost all the popular browsers.

Information on turning on and off

The web host should posses ample knowledge of all the technicalities related to SSL installation. He/she should be able to guide website owners who are ignorant about exactly which pages will have to be encrypted and which will not. SSL provides an option to turn it on when required and off when not in use.

Shared SSL certificate

Shared SSL certificate is often issued to authentic Web hosts. These web hosts are responsible for installing SSL certificate in the same way as they do with dedicated certificate. However, such secured certificate is linked with each Secure Site Seal that is issued to every domain owners. Such shared SSL certificates enable the top-level domains to encrypt their data. A web host performs all these tasks as they have special expertise.

How is SSL certificate installed?

Step 1:

The domain where the SSL certificate would be installed should have its own dedicated IP address. The Web host has knowledge of it as they will be handling the entire process.

Step 2:

Before the installation process of SSL certificate begins, the web hosts checks if owner has a Certificate Signing request generated or not.

Step 3:

On the control panel there is an option "Install an SSL certificate and Setup the Domain". The web host clicks on this and a "Install a SSL certificate" wizard opens.

Step 4:

In that wizard, they paste the certificate which is obtained from SSL vendor.

* Note: This is not the same as that of CSR

Step 5:

Another box opens where in the Domain section, the domain where SSL would be installed in entered. In the "User" field the control panel name is entered followed by dedicated IP address on the other.

Step 6:

The host they pastes the RSA private key to end the installation process.

Note: The above mentioned process of hosting is a general description, the process may vary.