Introduction to SSL: Securing Data in the Digital World

  • CBNCloud
  • 7/22/2024, 12:00:00 AM

Introduction to SSL: Securing Data in the Digital World

Have you ever wondered why some URLs start with HTTP:// while others begin with HTTPS://? You’re more likely to encounter HTTPS:// URLs on websites that provide sensitive information such as banking services or sites that require credit card details.

 

Do you know why a website uses HTTPS:// instead of HTTP://? The additional "s" signifies that the connection to the website is secured—meaning it is safe, guaranteed, and encrypted. This means you can share sensitive information on these URLs with confidence. The technology that supports this extra level of security is called SSL. To ensure that data shared over the internet is safe, most end users today trust websites that use HTTPS:// more than those that do not.

 

As a business owner, it's crucial to ensure that your website uses an SSL certificate as the most basic step in securing digital data, whether it's company data or, more importantly, customer data. This article will provide an understanding of what SSL is, what SSL certificates are, and why adopting this technology is essential for the continuity of your business.

Daftar Isi:

  1. What is SSL?
  2. The History of SSL and TSL
  3. What are the Benefits of Using SSL?
  4. SSL Certificate Validation Levels
  5. How SSL Secure Your Data?
  6. How Many Domain Can SSL Secure?
  7. Trust Your SSL Certificate to a Trusted Provider

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the standard security technology used to establish an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. Its main purpose is to ensure that all data transmitted between the server and the browser remains private and integral.

 

In short, SSL functions through encryption, authentication, and data integrity. During encryption, data transmitted between the user and the server is encrypted to prevent eavesdropping. Authentication ensures that data is sent to the correct server and not to a fake one. Meanwhile, data integrity ensures that the data remains secure during the transfer process.

 

An SSL certificate is a digital document that validates the identity of a website and enables an encrypted connection. After verification, an SSL certificate is issued by a Certificate Authority (CA).

The History of SSL and TSL

The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol was first introduced by Netscape in 1994. At that time, the rapid growth of the internet created a need for secure transport mechanisms for web browsers and various TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) protocols. SSL version 1.0 was never released due to serious security flaws. The first official SSL release, version 2.0, came out in 1995, followed by the final version, SSL 3.0, in November 1996.

 

In 1999, the IETF replaced SSL with Transport Layer Security (TLS) version 1.0. This technology was an improvement over SSL 3.0, providing stronger and better security. Despite some technical differences, TLS 1.0 was compatible with SSL 3.0, allowing for better interoperability.

 

TLS 1.1 was introduced in 2006 to address vulnerabilities in TLS 1.0, including better protection against cipher block chaining (CBC) attacks. Two years later, TLS 1.2 was released, offering enhanced security and greater flexibility in choosing encryption algorithms. For many years, this version became the de facto standard and was widely used.

 

In 2011, the IETF announced that SSL version 2.0 was no longer recommended. According to their released document (RFC 6176), this protocol had several major flaws, including the use of MD5 for message authentication. Other significant issues included lack of handshake protection, using the same key for message integrity and encryption, and easy session termination.

 

In June 2015, the IETF also withdrew support for SSL 3.0. By 2018, TLS 1.3 was ratified by the IETF, offering improved security and performance compared to earlier versions. The latest TLS version, which is still trusted today, reduces connection latency by simplifying the handshake process and eliminating some vulnerable features.

What are the Benefits of Using SSL?

Many people assume that SSL certificates are only beneficial for websites that handle highly sensitive data, such as online payments, banking, credit card transactions, and similar sites. While SSL certificates are crucial for such websites, their benefits are not limited to these use cases.

 

As we briefly mentioned above, the primary functions of SSL include encryption, authentication, and data integrity. Here are the benefits of installing an SSL certificate to protect your website:

  • Encryption: When users input data on a website, that information passes through several gateways before reaching its destination. Without a secure connection, this data is vulnerable to malicious attacks. An SSL certificate ensures that data is securely transported from point A to point B.
  • Authentication: The connection trusted by SSL ensures that the web browser receives correct data from the server. SSL certificates help protect data from cyberattacks.
  • Data Integrity: During data transportation, SSL includes a Message Authentication Code (MAC) to ensure no data loss.
  • Increased User Trust: SSL certificates display a green padlock (or HTTPS) in the browser's URL, signaling to users that the site is secure. This enhances user trust when interacting with the website.
  • Improved SEO: Google prioritizes websites that use HTTPS in search results. This means websites with SSL are more likely to rank higher on Google, increasing visibility and traffic.
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Certain industries and credit card regulations mandate the use of SSL to protect sensitive data. Having SSL helps ensure compliance with these standards.
  • Prevention of Phishing and Fraud: Fake websites (phishing) find it difficult to obtain a valid SSL certificate, making it easier for users to identify insecure sites. This helps prevent phishing attacks and protects user information.

SSL Certificate Validation Levels

SSL certificates aim to provide a secure and encrypted connection between the server and web browser. Each SSL certificate includes data about the identity assigned to both parties and comes in several levels:

  • Domain Validation (DV): The lowest encryption level, displayed as a green padlock in the address bar. This validation ensures that the certificate holder controls the domain name issued by the certificate. The issuance process is quick and requires minimal documentation. This certificate is recommended for websites that need authentication but are not major targets for malicious attacks.
  • Organization Validation (OV): A medium encryption level, designed to verify the identity and location of the company receiving the certificate.
  • Extended Validation (EV): The highest level of SSL certificate authentication. This validation follows strict protocols (highly trusted) to verify the certificate holder's identity. HTTPS, the organization’s name, and location are displayed in the address bar to confirm that the website is trustworthy. This is the most expensive validation, ideal for displaying your business's legitimacy in the address bar.

How SSL Secure Your Data

SSL certificates establish a secure, encrypted connection between the client (browser) and the server. This encryption ensures that all data passing between these devices cannot be read by third parties without decryption.

The encryption and decryption operations are carried out by the sender and receiver devices. This approach prevents data from malicious attacks, where an attacker cannot read or understand the encrypted data.

How Many Domain Can SSL Secure?

SSL certificates come in three categories:

  • Basic: A basic certificate secures a single domain/subdomain. If you want to protect more than one domain using a basic SSL certificate, you must install a certificate for each domain you want to secure. Basic certificates are available in DV, OV, and EV validation levels.

 

  • Wildcard: A Wildcard certificate secures unlimited subdomains under a main domain. For example, if the main domain is www.example.com, you can secure all subdomains like:

 

  • Multi-domain or SAN (Subject Alternative Name): As the name suggests, a multi-domain certificate secures hundreds or thousands of domain names. For instance, this certificate protects domains like:

Trust Your SSL Certificate to a Trusted Provider 

Now that you are convinced about applying SSL to your website, the question is, how can you obtain an SSL certificate?

 

When choosing an SSL service provider, always trust a reputable provider. Experienced providers use strong encryption algorithms to protect data transmitted between browsers and servers, ensuring sensitive data such as personal information and financial transactions are safe from interception.

Reputable SSL providers also conduct strict verification processes to ensure that the website receiving the certificate is genuinely owned by a legitimate organization. This helps prevent phishing attempts and online fraud.

 

Make sure to subscribe to an SSL certificate from a well-known provider in the industry. Certificates from unknown providers may not be accepted by browsers, leading to security warnings that can reduce user trust. As a pioneer in reliable cloud services, CBNCloud is committed to providing globally standard security technology that facilitates encrypted communication between browsers and web servers. The SSL certificates we offer come with strong encryption to protect data transmitted between servers and users.

 

Our support and services provide security guarantees, installation assistance, and automatic updates to keep your website secure.

Visit CBNCloud or contact our Sales representatives for more information and start your journey to better online security!

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