WDTalk

SSL is a technology that protects confidential transactions between a website and its visitors/shoppers. As a protocol, it uses a third party Certificate Authority (CA) to identify one or both ends of transactions. This enables you to collect sensitive information using an encrypted channel (transparently). In the URL, you’ll notice the http switches to https. Using an SSL Certificate increases your prospects trust factor – an important ingredient in promoting your products and services.

When do you need SSL?

If you accept online orders and process credit card information on your site, however you do NOT need SSL if you use PayPal Standard and credit card transactions are handled on their servers.

Obviously, if you’re required to comply with privacy and security requirements.

If you need to secure email servers (POP, IMAP & SMTP), VPN or FTP Servers, Control Panels, WebMail or any other web applications.

If you offer a login or sign in on your site.

Types of SSL
The most common type of SSL is a domain validated certificate. This is used to establish an encrypted communication channel between a website and its visitors. Another type identifies you are who you say you are. It validates identity at different  levels, protecting the data flow to/from your website.

Going Green
If you’ve ever used PayPal’s order system, you may have noticed your browser’s address bar had turned green. This type of SSL Certificate is called Extended Validation SSL. Most financial institutions use this type of SSL.

Some trusted Certificate Authorities
Some of the trusted Certificate Authorities are RapidSSL, VeriSign, Thawte and GeoTrust.