Why Do Websites Need An SSL (Secure Socket Layer)?
What Does An SSL Do?
When users submit their information online on a website without an SSL, it is like speaking on a phone while it’s on speaker. Everyone around the speaker can listen, learn and possibly steal crucial information.
SSLs encrypt personal information while in transit, making it more difficult for hackers to steal personal information. This means that when a user submits private data, the message becomes encoded. This encoding scrambles the characters that make up the message, so if it’s intercepted it cannot be read. Encryption keys are used to encode and decode messages, essentially locking them up before they’re sent and unlocking them once they’ve arrived safely at their destinations.
Firefly strongly recommends that all sites have an SSL and use HTTPS, in order to provide the best security for the website’s users.
How Do Users Know If A Website Has An SSL?
When users visit websites online, a secure, trustworthy website can be identified by its SSL (Secure Socket Layer). The SSL appears as an “S” within the URL, and can be found on the end of the abbreviation “HTTP” (HTTPS).
Other ways to determine if the website has an SSL is to look for a lock, found at the beginning of the URL, the company’s name, in green, following the lock or a logo near submit buttons. There are also online SSL checkers that confirm if the website’s SSL is current and if the website can be trusted as a secure platform.
More tips and information on how to confirm a site’s security can be found online.
Website with Standard SSL
Standard SSLs secure private, personal information by coding the data while in transit.
Website Extended Validation (EV) SSL
Financial Institutions typically use Extended Validation (EV) SSLs. EV SSL owners have provided documentation proving their identity to be true.
Types Of Online Submissions
Firefly requires that websites, brochure, lead generation or e-commerce, are to have SSLs to ensure the protection of all types of submitted information. Most browsers now mark any site that does not have an ssl as insecure resulting in a broken lock and a red warning to potential customers browsing your website.
Some examples of submissions on websites that should be encrypted are:
Employment Forms
Login Portals
Credit Card Information
Contact Forms
Surveys
If there isn’t a HTTPS in the URL of the form that is requesting personal information, Firefly recommends not submitting the form.
Attn: Website Owners
SSLs give a website’s visitors assurance that their data is secure, and that the site is a trustworthy source to access.
There’s also a silver lining. Google ranks websites that use SSLs better in its search results. This is important, because it increases traffic to your website.
To learn more about why websites should use SSL certificates you can read more here.
Need More Info?
Call us at 337-269-0299, or contact us online. We’re here to help! Firefly is available Mon – Friday, 8 AM CT to 5 PM CT.
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Slash – The Trifecta: part Developer, part sympathetic ear, and part water cooler attendant, Scott has been earning his Slash at Firefly since 2001. The voice of reason with an infectious laugh, “Dr.” Scott’s empathetic instincts add needed balance to logical thought with his approach to problem solving. Proud enforcer of the Scott Effect, tech troubles are resolved just by his mere presence! Combining candor and wit, he has rightfully earned his place as the office Right Hand Man.
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