{"id":24263,"date":"2017-03-01T14:41:32","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T20:41:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/?post_type=resource&p=24263"},"modified":"2025-09-09T14:49:53","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T19:49:53","slug":"what-are-ssl-certificates","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/case-studies\/resources\/what-are-ssl-certificates\/","title":{"rendered":"What is an SSL Certificate? A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Website security has always been important, but today it\u2019s an absolute necessity. As online threats become more sophisticated, websites that fail to implement strong security measures can face serious consequences<\/a>, including penalties that impact visibility and trust. This is especially critical if you\u2019re planning to accept online payments, where security is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news? There\u2019s a proven way to safeguard your site and reassure your site visitors. It starts with understanding Secure Sockets Layer<\/a> (SSL), a protocol that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between a browser and a web server. When a site has an SSL certificate, it signals that a trusted Certificate Authority has verified the site\u2019s identity, ensuring the connection is safe. In fact, many managed hosting providers<\/a>\u2014like WP Engine\u2014include SSL certificates<\/a> to simplify this process for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll demystify SSL and website security certificates. You\u2019ll learn what makes them so important, the different types available, and how these certificates are validated. Plus, we\u2019ll walk you through the steps to set up SSL on your own site, giving you peace of mind and a secure digital presence. Ready to lock down your website? Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How do SSL certificates work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At a high level, SSL certificates facilitate encrypted communication between a user\u2019s browser and your website\u2019s server. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a browser connects to a site secured by SSL, a process called the SSL handshake<\/a> takes place. During this handshake, the browser and server exchange cryptographic keys and establish a secure session. The certificate itself contains the public key needed for encryption and is used to verify the authenticity of your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see SSL certificates work in action, look no further than Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure<\/a> (HTTPS), the secure version of the HTTP protocol<\/a> that powers the modern web. HTTPS encrypts data transferred between the browser and the server, ensuring that even if intercepted, the information remains unreadable to malicious actors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering enabling HTTPS for your site, the first step is obtaining an SSL certificate from a Certificate Authority<\/a> (CA). A CA is an organization that verifies your website\u2019s identity and issues the SSL certificate. Depending on the type of certificate you select, the CA might simply confirm that you own the domain, or, for higher levels of security, verify that your business is officially registered. We\u2019ll explore these options in more detail later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve acquired an SSL certificate, you\u2019ll need to install it through your web hosting provider and enable HTTPS. Most websites opt to secure the entire site, which is usually the most straightforward and secure approach, though you can also choose to encrypt only specific pages that handle sensitive information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that enabling HTTPS without a valid SSL certificate will trigger security warnings for visitors, which vary by browser<\/a>. These warnings signal that the site is insecure and can undermine trust. This can also occur if your SSL certificate expires, so regular renewals\u2014typically every one to three years\u2014are necessary to maintain security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this might sound complex if you\u2019re new to online security, it\u2019s simpler than you might think. We\u2019ll cover how to implement SSL<\/a> on WordPress shortly. But first, let\u2019s clarify exactly what SSL and HTTPS mean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do HTTPS and SSL mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As noted above, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the foundation of the modern Internet, establishing rules for transferring data and multimedia content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every website, including this one, uses HTTP. However, HTTPS\u2014an encrypted, more secure version of HTTP\u2014has become the gold standard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SSL<\/a> (Secure Sockets Layer), on the other hand, is a security protocol layered over HTTP to create HTTPS. While HTTP transmits data in an unencrypted format, SSL encrypts the data exchanged between a browser and a server, making it unreadable to malicious actors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, SSL and HTTPS work together to keep your websites\u2019 data secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTTPS vs. HTTP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Data sent over standard HTTP connections is unencrypted, leaving it vulnerable to interception by hackers. This poses significant risks for websites handling sensitive personal information, like credit card numbers or home addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, HTTPS encrypts data so that even if a third party intercepts it, they cannot decipher the information. If a web address starts with “HTTPS,” it signals that all data exchanged with that site is secure. HTTPS is a must for any website, especially those dealing with financial transactions or personal details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To set up HTTPS, you\u2019ll need to purchase and install an SSL certificate linked to your domain. In the next section, we\u2019ll cover the benefits of using SSL and why you should consider enabling it on your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why your website needs an SSL certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main goal of using SSL is to protect your visitors\u2019 data from hackers and malicious actors. Here\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial, particularly for WordPress users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Enhanced Security<\/strong>: SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted between your website and visitors, keeping information like login credentials, personal details, and payment data secure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Increased Customer Trust<\/strong>: A secure site displays a padlock icon in the browser\u2019s address bar, signaling to visitors that their data is protected. This can increase trust<\/a> and improve conversion rates, especially for eCommerce and membership sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. PCI Compliance<\/strong>: SSL isn’t optional for websites accepting online payments. It\u2019s a requirement to meet Payment Card Industry<\/a> (PCI) standards, ensuring that credit card information is handled securely.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Improved SEO<\/strong>: Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites in their rankings<\/a>. HTTPS is now a significant factor in SEO, and Google labels HTTP sites as “Not Secure,”<\/a> potentially affecting traffic. By enabling HTTPS, you improve your search engine visibility and user experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Easy Setup<\/strong>: Many web hosts, including WP Engine, offer streamlined SSL setups. WP Engine, for example, provides free SSL certificates<\/a> and handles the technical aspects of implementation, making it easy for you to secure your WordPress site.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Types of SSL certificates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    SSL certificates vary based on validation level and the number of domains they secure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Single-Domain<\/strong>: Secures one domain or subdomain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Wildcard<\/strong>: Protects a primary domain and all its subdomains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Multi-Domain (SAN or Unified Certificates)<\/strong>: Secures multiple domains under one certificate, ideal for organizations with several websites.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Validation Levels:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n