What is an SSL Certificate? What Does It Do and How Does It Work?

What does SSL stand for? It stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It is a standard internet security technology that encrypts data communication between a web server and a user's browser (client). The main goal of an SSL certificate is to prevent information sent over the internet from being read or stolen by third parties.

When an SSL certificate is installed on a website, the connection changes from HTTP to HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure). The letter "S" stands for "secure" and shows that SSL encryption is active.

For users, the clearest sign of this SSL website security is the "Connection Secure" padlock icon that appears in the browser's address bar. This icon proves that the site's identity is verified. It means all data you send or receive (such as personal info, passwords, credit card numbers) passes through an encrypted channel. Many people also ask, "what is SSL and TLS?" They are essentially the same concept, with TLS being the newer, updated version of SSL protocols used today.

What Happens If You Don't Have an SSL Certificate?

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Not having an SSL certificate creates a critical security gap in your website. This lack of security leads to several negative results. A website without SSL cannot meet basic internet safety expectations and makes it difficult for users to trust the site.

What does SSL do to prevent this? It stops unencrypted data transfer. Without SSL, your site runs on the HTTP protocol. This sends every piece of information your users enter—passwords, contact forms, addresses, and payment details—from one server to another in plain, readable text. This leaves your data completely defenseless against data breach risks where cyber attackers can easily steal information.

Websites without an SSL certificate also have lower SEO performance. Furthermore, users may face an SSL certificate issue warning, such as "this website cannot provide a secure connection," when trying to access your site. If your website is giving this error or if you do not have any SSL Certificate, you can buy one via our SSL Certificate page.

How to Get an SSL Certificate and What Are the Types?

What are SSL certificates fundamentally? They are technologies that verify a website's identity and encrypt the data flow between the server and the browser.

Besides keeping user information (credit cards, passwords, personal data) safe, it is also a major trust and ranking factor for search engines. There are three main types of SSL certificates based on verification levels: DV (Domain Validation), OV (Organization Validation), and EV (Extended Validation). These options offer different layers of trust for every scale of web project, from a blog to a huge e-commerce platform.

DV SSL (Domain Validation)

DV SSL is the most basic and fastest-to-install type. Its only function is to confirm that the person requesting the certificate owns or manages the domain name. The Certificate Authority (CA) does this check via an automatic email or DNS record check in seconds or minutes.

Validation Level: Only verifies domain ownership; offers no info on company identity.

Installation Speed: Very fast, usually active within minutes.

Trust Signal: Shows a padlock icon in the browser and activates HTTPS.

Ideal Use: Personal blogs, portfolios, and informational pages where sensitive user data is not collected.

OV SSL (Organization Validation)

OV SSL adds another layer on top of domain validation by verifying the legal identity of the organization or company. The Certificate Authority checks official records to see if the business is real, legal, and active.

Validation Level: Verifies domain ownership plus the physical existence and legal identity of the business.

Installation Speed: The process may take a few business days.

Trust Signal: In addition to the padlock, certificate details show verified company info.

Ideal Use: Membership sites, corporate websites, and medium-sized e-commerce platforms where user trust and corporate identity are important.

EV SSL (Extended Validation)

EV SSL offers the highest validation level and the strongest trust signal available today. The Certificate Authority conducts a very strict and comprehensive review process. This covers the company's legal, physical, and operational existence.

Validation Level: Top-level identity verification. The company is examined deeply with standard procedures.

Installation Speed: Usually takes 1 to 5 business days due to the detailed process.

Trust Signal: Provides the strongest sign of safety. When clicked, certificate details clearly show the verified company name and location. This plays a critical role in protecting users against phishing attacks.

Ideal Use: Online banking, large e-commerce sites, payment infrastructures, and any platform sharing highly sensitive financial or personal info.

Details of SSL Technology: How Does SSL Work?

When you enter a website, a conversation starts between your browser and that site. How does SSL work? It creates a digital "privacy tunnel" that protects this conversation from prying eyes. Its main goal is to stop third parties from reading or stealing the info you send and receive.

What is 128 Bit and 256 Bit SSL?

Terms like "128 bit" and "256 bit" indicate how complex and strong the secret code (key) is. The higher the number, the harder it is to guess or crack the code.

128 Bit Encryption: Imagine a very long, complex password like "VeryS3cur3!Passw0rd". 128-bit is trillions of times more complex than that. It is nearly impossible to crack with current technology.

256 Bit Encryption: This is like a password with hundreds of characters that is impossible to memorize. It has more combinations than there are atoms in the universe. This is one of the strongest encryption standards today.

How to Buy and Manage an SSL Certificate

The process may look technical, but it consists of simple steps: choose the right certificate, buy it, install it on the server, and renew it before it expires.

Steps to Buy and Manage:

Identify Your Need: Do you need a simple DV SSL for a blog or an EV SSL for e-commerce?

Choose a Provider: Certificates are sold by Certificate Authorities (like Sectigo, DigiCert, GeoTrust) or their authorized resellers. Hosting companies also usually offer SSL services.

Purchase and Verification: After buying, you pass a validation process. This can be a simple email check or sending corporate documents.

Installation: Once verified, files are sent to you to upload to your server.

Management and Renewal: SSL certs are usually valid for 1 year. Renewing before time runs out is critical for continuous security.

Step-by-Step SSL Certificate Purchase

Step: Decide on the certificate you want to buy.

Step: Enter the Domain where the SSL will be used.

Step: Proceed to the Cart.

Step: Enter Payment Information and Complete the Order.

Step: After the SSL is defined in your account, you can create a "support ticket" for free installation to start using your SSL certificate.

How Much Are SSL Certificate Prices?

Prices vary greatly depending on the type (DV, OV, EV), brand, and extra features (like Wildcard for subdomains).

DV SSL: The most affordable option. Usually costs between $7 and $119 per year.

OV SSL: More expensive because it includes corporate validation. Prices are around the $319 band per year.

EV SSL: The costliest option as it offers the highest trust and most comprehensive validation. Annual prices start from $80 and can exceed $500.

How to Install an SSL Certificate?

The final step is installation. When done correctly, it takes only a few minutes.

Via Hosting Panel (Easiest Way): Panels like cPanel or Plesk usually have "SSL/TLS Manager" or "Let's Encrypt" sections. You can often install it automatically with one click. At AtakDomain, you can benefit from our free SSL installation service for all certificates purchased from us.

Manual Installation: If you bought the cert elsewhere, you may need to copy and paste the certificate (.crt), private key (.key), and CA Bundle files into the relevant fields in your hosting panel.

Can an SSL Certificate Be Transferred?

Yes, an SSL certificate is a portable digital asset. If you change your hosting from one server to another, you can move your current SSL. You need three components:

Private Key: The most critical file created during the generation phase.

Server Certificate: The main file given by the provider (.crt).

Intermediate Certificates (CA Bundle): Files that help browsers trust your main certificate.

How to Check Your SSL Certificate?

Do you wonder which SSL Certificate is used on your website? You can query your SSL and get information about it using our SSL Certificate Inquiry page.

What to Consider When Choosing an Internet Security Certificate?

Choosing the right SSL directly affects your site's security and brand reputation.

Validation Level: Choose DV for personal sites, OV for businesses, and EV for banks or e-commerce.

Scope:

Single Domain: Protects only one domain (www.atakdomain.com).

Wildcard SSL: Protects a domain and all its subdomains (*https://www.google.com/search?q=.atakdomain.com).

Multi-Domain: Secures multiple different domains under one certificate.

CA Reputation: Ensure the provider (GeoTrust, DigiCert, Sectigo, etc.) is a respected brand recognized by all modern browsers.

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