How to Save Money on SSL Certificates

Any web site that exchanges personal information with the site users, such as an e-Commerce site, places themselves and their site users at risk of being hacked unless they use the Secured Socket Layer (SSL). SSL enables a secured, encrypted, connection between your web server and the user's browser.

SSL also requires an SSL certificate, which is purchased from Certificate Authorities who are in the business of verifying the identities of web site operators.

Given the environment we are dealing with, an internet populated by hackers and infested with malware and exploits, the costs of SSL certificates are well worth it. However, if you operate many sites that require SSL the costs can addup. Since Certificate Authorities charge per year, the costs will only accumulate over time.

How can you save money on SSL Certificates?

Consider the level of site verification that you need

When you purchase an SSL certificate you can choose between basic "Domain Validated" Certificates and Enhanced Verification (EV) certificates.

Both types are "signed" by a third party Certificate Authority. This means that a site visitor's browser receives information required to check with the third party Certificate Authority and verify that the message was sent from the actual site owner.

However, the Domain Validated certificates only verify that the site is owned by the sender of the certificate. They do not consider the other factors such as the integrity and reliability of the site owner. The Certificate Authorities go through a much more rigorous verification process to ensure that the site visitor is not dealing with a dangerous situation.

Now, you know that you are reliable and on the level so you might want to save some money and go with the cheaper basic certificates. However, there are hacking techniques that can compromise Domain Name Servers to obtain fake Domain Validated certificates and redirect users to another site.

In addition, consider that that the point of these certificates is to assure the site user. Consider the value the EV certificates have in building customer trust and confidence. How do you put a price tag on that?

If your site is important to your business and accessible through the public internet you should go for the SSL certificates that offer the highest level of verification.

Comparison Shopping

One of the benefits of the internet is that it is very easy to comparison shop. If you do, you will find that the price of SSL certificates vary widely. The oldest and largest Certificate Authority, VeriSign, is relatively expensive.

Many other Certificate Authorities offer comparable certificates at lower prices. Verisign SSL certificates start at over $200 while there are comparable certificates available for under $50.

Consider Long Term Discount Plans

Certificate Authorities will discount the annual cost if you sign-up for multiple years. If you are a "going concern" this option could save you some money.

Do you have sub domains?

If your web sites need SSL for sub domains you can save money with a Wildcard SSL. One wildcard SSL can be purchased that will cover a site and all its sub sites.

For example, you can apply one wildcard SSL that covers peanutbutter.com, crunchy.peanutbutter.com and smooth.peanutbutter.com.

Do you have multiple domains and host names?

Unified Communications (UC) SSL certificate can be applied to multiple domains and host names. A single UC SSL certificate can be used for a primary domain and up to 99 alternate names. For example, Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Live servers operators find they can save a lot of money with UC SSL Certificates.

Isn't free the best price?

You may notice that there are free SSL Certificates available. These are tempting because they offer the same secured, encrypted communication provided by other Certificates.

What's the catch? There is one of two possibilities.

Either it is being offered for a limited trial period or it is an "unsigned SSL Certificate".

You can always go with a trial offer without harm, but you need to be looking at your long term solution.

However, beware of the unsigned SSL Certificate. If used in the wrong situation they can be penny wise and very pound foolish.

Unsigned SSL Certificates do not do the third party verification. They still leave the site visitor open to some scams where hackers trick users into thinking they are connected to one site and they are actually communicating with another

Unsigned SSL Certificates, like Domain Verified Certificates are best deployed on internal, intranet sites. They are great for test labs and sites inside your corporate firewall, but if you are dealing with the public on the web the risks are too great.

Carefully consider your needs, then compare SSL certificates offered by the Certificate Authorities for one that is most appropriate for your site. Whenever appropriate use UC and Wildcard certificates.

View the original article here

Important Points You Should Know About SSL Certificates

Advantages of SSL Certificate:

In the cyber world, day-by-day crime is increasing, and a demand for security is rising. It is time to secure your E-commerce business. Secure Socket Layer is a security seal that provides authentication to the website. When a visitor visits your site, he will check for the security and legitimacy of your site. It provides encryption for data that flows in the tunnel between website and user's browser. It runs on private key and public key. Encryption should provide by trusted certified authorities. There are many authorities like Symantec, Thwte, RapidSSL, GeoTrust, etc. An SSL certificate has to pass certain document validation, and after the owner can get a certificate by trusted authority. Cheap certificate, EV certificate, Wildcard certificates are different types of the certificate that are available in the market. There are many advantages of SSL, which we will discuss here. Let us discuss them one by one.

Advantages:

· It provides an authentication to the website for his monetary information.

· When Customer provides information remains in the form of coding so others cannot see it.

· Allow security with a padlock in the address bar. When a customer sees padlock, his confident will boost.

· It provides 99% browser compatibility.

· SSL has a featured of unlimited re-issuance and flexibility.

· It provides an Additional guarantee from dollar 10,000 to dollar 1million in case of any fraud or cheating with customers. SSL gives an assurance to the customer whom they are secure on the e-commerce site.

· SSL carries a simple and hassle-free issuance process.

· Phishing is a critical situation of the cyber age, and SSL saves visitors from phishing frauds.

· When users look at https URL, they can easily understand and put trust on the website.

· With the expansion of E-commerce, security becomes a critical issue, and it can help online business in this way.

· Cost-efficient solution so every size of business can adapt and secure their identity.

· It increases more profit for enterprise by providing online security.

Conclusion: SSL is a mark of security that protects us from phishing and other frauds. We referred advantages of SSL. It is very essential for a company to protect its website. It is very useful in boosting customer's confidence. According to a survey, more than 20% sites have not installed SSL certificate. We can see that there are many offences do take place in cyber technology. SSL is a popular medium to show legitimacy of your site. When a customer looks at the green padlock on the site, he feels safe in transact online. Now it is time to enroll for SSL certificate.

Sophie is an experience technology columnist writing for various blogs and website on website security. Sophie's favorite area of interest is to share her knowledge about importance of SSL certificate and their installation.

View the original article here

SSL Certificates: Free Can Be Costly

If you operate a web site that exchanges personal information with the site users, such as an e-Commerce site, you probably know that you should be using the Secured Socket Layer (SSL). SSL enables a secured, encrypted, connection between your web server and the user's browser. This requires that you obtain an SSL Certificate.

But there are a lot of SSL Certificate providers with a variety of choices. Certificate providers charge varying prices per year for different products. If you have multiple web sites the costs can add up.

However, there are free Certificates available. They provide a secure, encrypted connection just like other SSL Certificates. So, why should you pay when you can use a free certificate?

Good question!

All things being equal, free is my favorite price range!

It's very tempting to choose the free "self-signed" Certificates and it might well be all you need. On the other hand, we all know about what happens when you are penny wise!

When a user connects to an SSL site a message is sent with the certificate information required to setup the secured connection. It must include the name of the certificate "signer" which is either:

the creator of the certificate (self-signed) ora third party called a Certificate Authority.

A Certificate Authority provides assurances that the site the user thinks they are connecting to is in fact that site. There are scams where hackers trick users into thinking they are connected to one site and they are actually communicating with another. Users may provide personal and financial information to criminals engaged in fraud. Self-signed certificates leave your users vulnerable to these predators.

Because of this, most browsers will display a warning message that the site may be unsecure. The user can bypass the message, but it does not leave the user with a warm and fuzzy feeling about the site. And the message is correct. If your web site has been hacked by a scammer your users are in peril if they proceed.

So, when should you use self-signed certificates?

I would only use them on internal web site, intranet sites. For example, if you have labs that are testing sites that require SSL you can save some money by using self-signed certificates.

I would never use a self-signed certificate on the internet, "customer facing" as we say. The risk is just not worth it and you risk alienating your users. If you are a commercial site servicing customers, that free certificate could end up being very expensive.

Compare SSL certificates offered by the Certificate Authorities for one that is most appropriate for your site and choose carefully. The costs and features vary widely and you need to consider your needs. If you have multiple domains and sub sites there are certificates that will help you reduce costs. Depending on how secure you need your site certificates will offer different levels of assurances.

View the original article here