DEV Community: JP Mehta

Which Type Of SSL Certificate is Right for my Website?

JP Mehta — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:32:27 +0000

All the TLS/SSL certificates provide domain encryption using an HTTPS protocol and ensure a secure communication process between the website server and the visitors. Also, as per the size and complexity of businesses, websites can differ from a single domain for small organizations to multiple domains for enterprise-level organizations.

Furthermore, it is critical to identify an SSL certificate that is the right fit for the business website. Thus, to enable you to select the right TLS/SSL for your business, take a glance at the popular types of SSL certificates as highlighted in the infographic below.

TLS/SSL Black Friday Sale 2023

JP Mehta — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 07:09:53 +0000

SSL certificates are the best available digital security tools to provide the strongest encryption for your domain or websites, enabling visitors to trust that the website is safe to browse.

Furthermore, the Black Friday Sale comes with lucrative deals for SSL/TLS certificates offered by different vendors in the market.

This Black Friday, watch out for Certera CA, where you can grab a jaw-dropping deal for obtaining your SSL/TLS certificates at the lowest price.

Certera Black Friday 2023 Sale offers FLAT 15% OFF on all types of TLS/SSL certificates from globally reputed authorities such as Certera, Comodo, Sectigo, RapidSSL, Geotrust, etc., starting at just $2.99/year!

Unlock the deal right here:https://certera.com/

SSL Certificates Vs Code Signing Certificates: What's the Difference?

JP Mehta — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:55:09 +0000

Digital security certificates, such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Code Signing Certificates, are highly powerful tools that provide encryption and security to your websites and software or applications, safeguarding your data from being vulnerable to cybercriminals.

The SS/TLS certificates encrypt all the communication between the browser and web server to secure the data from being intercepted by any unauthorized user. SSL certificates use the HTTPS protocol, which makes the website or domain secure.

On the other hand, code-signing certificates are meant to secure the code of software, applications, executables, etc. from getting tampered with or altered by malicious actors. Code-signing certificates also verify that the software, application, or EXE is trusted and can be safely installed on any computer system.

Moreover, code signing and SSL certificates differ not just on the basis of security but also on various other factors.

Continue reading through a compact guide on Code Signing Certificate vs.SSL Certificate to explore each of the key differentiation factors in detail.

What is a Wildcard SSL Certificate for Website Security?

JP Mehta — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 09:50:15 +0000

An SSL certificate is a pivotal component of website security for any business organization that encrypts data transmitted across a user’s browser and a website server, enabling secure communication between them.

For complex websites with sub-domains, it is also essential to provide security not just for the main domain but also for its sub-domains. Thus, installing a single SSL/TLS certificate for each sub-domain is a costly and time-consuming process, which can be avoided by using a Wildcard SSL certificate.

A Wildcard SSL is a type of digital security certificate designed to provide HTTPS encryption for the primary domain and all of its associated sub-domains using a single certificate, such as a certificate for *.sample.com, which also secures sample.com, www.sample.com, blog.sample.com, about.sample.com, and so on.

Moreover, every Wildcard SSL certificate comprises one root domain and one wildcard character represented by an asterisk (*) to the left side of the usual name in the subdomain area, denoting its type among different SSL variants.

Benefits of Wildcard SSL Certificate

Wildcard SSL certificate is enhanced with several benefits such as;

1. 256-Bit Encryption and Security
2. Cost Effective Solution
3.Simplified SSL Certificate Management
4. High Flexibility
5. Conveniency of avoiding Individual SSL for each Sub-domains.
6. Boost User trust with padlock icon and using "https://" in the URL.
7. SEO Benefits
8. Faster Deployment

Continue reading through the core Advantages of Wildcard SSL Certificate to explore in detail the primary benefits of using a Wildcard SSL for website security.

The Consequences of an Expired SSL Certificate

JP Mehta — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 09:18:46 +0000

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that ensures private and secure communication by encrypting data exchanged between a user's browser and a website's server. It is a must for websites to have SSL certificates for protecting sensitive information, building trust with users, and improving search engine rankings.

The SSL certificate guarantees the verification of a website's owner and establishes a secure pathway for interacting with the server. But SSL certificates come with expiration dates and do not remain valid indefinitely. Similar to a driver's license, an SSL certificate has a limited lifespan.

So What Happens when an SSL Certificate Expires? The outcome is significant network disruptions that result in compromised network security.

Why does an SSL Certificate Expire?

SSL certificates are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA), a reputable third-party organization (like Comodo, Sectigo, Certera, DigiCert). These certificates come with predetermined expiration dates, typically spanning 1 to 2 years from the date of issuance, a timeline set by the CA. These dates signify the point at which the data used to generate the SSL certificate loses its reliability and needs to be refreshed.

Generally, these digital certifications expire to ensure the ongoing security of your website. The periodic renewal of your SSL certificate is enforced to keep your website's security current. This practice ensures that you consistently adopt the latest TLS versions and ciphers.

What occurs when an SSL Certificate Expires?

As SSL certificates reach expiration, web browsers will notify you of your website's status. You will get a message on your website like, "Your connection is not private." Once an SSL certificate expires, it becomes impossible to engage in confidential and securely encrypted HTTPS communication. All data will be transmitted without encryption, exposing your (or your client's) information to potential threats from network intruders or malicious users.

Fixing the Expired SSL Certificate

Maintaining awareness of certificate validity periods is crucial to avoiding encountering such significant situations within your organization. Certain Certificate Authorities (CAs) notify their clients about 30 to 60 days prior to the expiration of their certificates. Moreover, regular renewal reminders are dispatched to the user's registered email address 30 days, 15 days, 7 days, and 1 day ahead of the expiration date.

To fix an expired SSL Certificate, you should consider purchasing a new one. Purchase the certificate that best suits your website from reputed CAs like Certera, Comodo or Sectigo. If your website isn’t dealing with any sensitive data like user credit card numbers, then Buy Cheap SSL Certificate like CerteraSSL or Comodo Positive SSL. On the other hand, if your website deals with critical information, then go with a more advanced SSL like Digicert Secure Site SSL or Comodo Instant SSL Pro.

To conclude, remaining vigilant and renewing your SSL certificates prior to their expiration is of the utmost importance. This ensures that your website stays safe and secure and also maintains its status as a trusted and reliable platform.

How to Distinguish Between Genuine, Fake, or Scam Websites?

JP Mehta — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:57:51 +0000

In today's modern era, when our lives revolve around the internet, we may encounter numerous unfamiliar websites. While the online world offers a wealth of information and resources, it also attracts scammers and deceptive websites. Falling victim to these fraudulent sites can have severe financial and personal consequences if caution is not exercised. Hence, understanding how to find the legitimacy of a website is equally important.

Within the United States only, approximately one out of every ten, fall prey to online scams and fraud due to the proliferation of websites, technological advancements, and various forms of cybercrime.

We've compiled some valuable tips that will help you in Determining the Authenticity of a Website and distinguishing the legit ones from the fake ones.

Properly Analyze Domain Name and its Age
Check Privacy Policy of Website
Look for SSL Certificate
Perform a Virus Scan
Verify Contact Information
Read Online Reviews of Website

What's the Difference: Digital Certificate vs Digital Signature

JP Mehta — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 08:42:49 +0000

Digital signatures and Digital Certificates play a crucial role in the world of cybersecurity.

A Digital Signature guarantees the authenticity of a document, affirming its origin from a reputable organization. On the other hand, a Digital Certificate informs website visitors about the entity in possession of the corresponding public key.

While both Digital Signatures and Digital Certificates are important to cybersecurity, they differ in significant ways. If you're curious about these distinctions, we've compiled this article highlighting the major Differences Between Digital Signatures and Digital Certificates.

How Does SSL/TLS Certificate Works?

JP Mehta — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 10:37:23 +0000

SSL or TLS Certificates also known as Secure Sockets Layer Certificates, allow secure communication between a website’s server and its visitor’s browser. These certificates are issued by a trusted third-party organization better known as a Certificate Authority (CA).

SSL/TLS Certificates contains details like certificate owner name, serial numbers, expiration dates, and more. These details enable web browsers to verify the website's authenticity and establish a secure connection between them.

The process of SSL HandShake is responsible for the establishment of secure SSL connection between website server and visitor’s browser.

To discover more about the SSL/TLS Certificate Architecture process continue reading on How does HTTPS or SSL Certificate Works.