What is Secure Socket Layer - SSL Explained in Detail

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Secure Socket Layer (SSL) keeps your information safe when you're on the internet. A secret code ensures no one can view what you're doing online. SSL puts a protective shield around the conversation between your computer and the website you're visiting. This way, all your details and messages stay private and safe from hackers trying to spy or cause trouble. The following article will discuss SSL in depth. 

Explain Secure Socket Layer

SSL is a networking protocol for the internet, ensuring your online conversations stay private and secure. It started in 1995, was created by Netscape, and was the go-to protector for online shopping and chatting. However, the SSL secure socket layer had some issues. In 2015, experts suggested using a TLS. TLS is like SSL's upgraded version and does a better job of keeping our online world safe.

SSL was like the guardian of your internet talks and transactions, ensuring hackers couldn't sneak in and steal your information. It used special codes to scramble your messages. The TLS has taken over and is doing an even better job at keeping our internet adventures safe and sound. So, whenever you see that little lock icon in your browser, know that SSL or TLS is working hard to keep your data secure.

Types of Secure Socket Layer

The following section will provide you with a list of types. As a result, it is necessary to know when you proceed further. 
 

• SSL record protocol/ SSL protocol stack
• Change-cipher spec protocol
• Handshake protocol
• Alert protocol

How Does Secure Socket Layer Work?

When you send messages on the internet, SSL turns them into secret codes. If someone tries to peek, all they'll see is a secret language that's hard to figure out. 
 

• SSL also ensures that the computer you're talking to is who it says it is.
• Apart from that, SSL puts a digital signature on your messages. This way, when you get a message, you know it's the real deal and hasn't been changed by anyone. 
• SSL has had a few upgrades over the years, making it even better at keeping things safe. Back in 1999, it got a makeover and became TLS, like a newer and stronger version of the secret socket layer. 

Secure Socket Layer Uses

Now, we will discuss some typical uses of secure socket layer. 
 

• SSL makes sure your payment info is safe and sound.
• When you log into your accounts or share secret info online, SSL acts like a super-locked door.
• SSL protects your emails and work apps, ensuring no one can peek at your messages or necessary files.
• When you send big files or update your website, SSL ensures it's done, secretly, so no one can mess with your stuff.
• SSL guards the control panels for websites and other online tools.
• Inside big companies, SSL keeps everything on the company network safe – whether it's sharing files, checking databases, or doing other essential tasks.
• Even when you're working from far away or using specific VPNs, SSL ensures your connection is safe and sound.

Importance of SSL

SSL made the internet a safer place by protecting the talk between your computer and a website. At first, only one company, Netscape, had this special protection, but they were nice and shared it with everyone. Well, because the internet needed a security upgrade. The way websites and computers chatted (using HTTP) was not safe. Hackers could easily spy on what you were saying or grab your info, like names and credit card numbers.

So, SSL came to the rescue and added a secret code to the conversation. As a result, this made it much harder for hackers to view it. When you visit a website, you might notice it starts with 'HTTPS' instead of just 'HTTP.' That little 'S' means the site uses SSL or TLS. So, SSL became a hero because it made the internet a more secure and friendly space for everyone. 

Versions of SSL

Before proceeding further, we will learn about its different versions. 
 

• SSL 1 – Never released due to high insecurity.
• SSL 2 – Released in the year of 1995.
• SSL 3 – Released in 1996.
• TLS 1.0 – Released in the year of 1999.
• TLS 1.1 – Released in 2006.
• TLS 1.2 – Released in the year of 2008.
• TLS 1.3 – Released in 2018.

How to Add SSL to Your Website?

Now, we will learn how you can add a Secure socket layer to your website. 
 

• Choose a Good SSL Provider: Pick a trustworthy SSL provider like Let’s Encrypt, DigiCert, or Comodo. They're like the trusted SSL Providers of your website's security.
• Create Your Secret Code: You need to create a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). It's a special code that shows who you are and what your website is about. You can make this using tools like Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), Apache, or cPanel.
• Send Your Secret Code: Once you have your CSR, send it to your SSL provider. They'll check it out and give you a special certificate that proves your website is safe.
• Install Your Certificate: Once you get your certificate, you need to install it on your website's server. 
• Make It Super Secure: Finally, you can ensure your website always uses HTTPS by adding a small piece of code to your .htaccess file. As a result, it makes sure all your visitors have a secure connection.

That's it! With these simple steps, your website will be like a fortress of security on the internet, keeping all your visitors safe and sound.

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How to Obtain an SSL Certificate?

So, when a company wants to ensure its website is safe on the Internet, they need an SSL certificate. 

Suppose there's a company called Brand A, and they sell some stuff. Brand A wants to create a website where you can buy their products without worrying about hackers stealing your info. To make this happen, they teamed up with a trustworthy group called a Certificate Authority (CA). 

Now, Brand A gets this SSL certificate thing from their new friends. This certificate is like a VIP pass that tells your web browser. It's a way of ensuring you can trust the website and feel safe while shopping or doing stuff on it. So, SSL certificates are like magic shields that keep your online adventures secure and worry-free. 

Digital Certificate includes: 

• Organization, the person, or device to which the certificate was issued.
• The certificate thumbprint, including the certificate data and its signature.
• The SSL or TLS version.
• The domain name it issued under.
• Any associated private key that is kept secret.
• The name of the CA issuing it.
• Any associated subdomains.
• The CA's digital signature.
• The certificate's issue and expiration dates.
• The public key.

Types of SSL Certificates

Moreover, SSL Certificates have several types. The following section will discuss the same. 
 

• Single-domain SSL certificates
• Wildcard SSL certificates
• Multi-domain SSL certificates (MDC)
• Unified Communications Certificates (UCC) 
• Domain Validation (DV SSL)
• Organization Validation (OV SSL)
• Extended Validation (EV SSL) 

What are the Steps Required in the SSL process?

The following section will discuss several steps:
 

• When you visit Brand A's website, your web browser tells Brand A's computer that you want to have a private chat.
• Brand A's computer sends you a unique ID card called an SSL certificate. It includes a public key.
• Your web browser takes a look at this ID card to ensure it's from Brand A. The unique code on the card is checked using a secret method called public key encryption.
• Once everything checks out, you can send messages to Brand A's computer, but here's the cool part: you use their public key to ensure only they can read it.
• Brand A's computer gets your message and uses its super-secret code (private key) to read it. 
• Now that both sides know they can trust each other, they create a secret code for the rest of the conversation. You'll notice this by the web address changing to 'HTTPS' and a little padlock showing up in your browser.
• Sometimes, Brand A's computer also asks you to show your certificate to make sure you're you. 

So, in the end, it assists in making your online shopping experience safe and worry-free. 

Conclusion

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) makes sure that when you share things like passwords or credit card numbers, nobody else can sneak in and take them. Moreover, it has a special code that scrambles your messages into a secret language. This way, even if someone tries to listen in. When you put an SSL certificate on your website, it’s a powerful shield. This shield keeps all the information exchanged between your visitors and your site super safe. In addition, it helps it appear higher in search results compared to other sites without SSL.

Frequently Asked Questions