1.
SSL Certificate – Advantages
and Disadvantages

2.
SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. SSL is a protocol
used for sending confidential data over the Internet.
SSL creates a secure connection between a web
browser and the server. In this process, SSL uses
encryption to keep the data private. Thus, it protects
data privacy. In this article, we'll discuss the
advantages and the disadvantages of having the feature
of SSL enabled on your business website.

3.
The advantages
Encrypts information
SSL certificate ensures the data you send online are read
by only the intended recipient and none else. In this
process, the data traverse multiple computers before
they reach the recipient. On the way, the data could be
accessed by unauthorized third parties. However, SSL
makes some changes in the original data so that the data
cannot be read by the third parties.

4.
Authentication - improves customers' trust
Having SSL certificate ensures authentication. By
authentication, we mean interpreting the sent data to the
target server and not to unauthorized third parties. This
is important because, as we have said, the data travels
across multiple computers and can be accessed by
unintended third parties.

5.
Before selling a SSL certificate, the provider performs
multiple checks for your identity. They will sell it only
when they verify that your website is a genuine
company/business.
A SSL authenticated website shows a lock icon; and the
page URL starts with https:// and not http://. This
makes it easy for visitors to know that the website is
safe to make transactions with and helps the site gain
their trust.

6.
Guards against phishing attacks
A phishing email contains a link to an identical copy of
the genuine site. When you use your data like user
name, passwords, etc., on this site, the data can be
accessed by unauthorized elements. Having SSL
certificate stalls their access, because your customers
trust only sites with SSL certificate. When the
unauthorized site does not have this feature, your
customers are unlikely to move forward. Thus, you
protect your customers from phishing attacks in your
name.

7.
Better search engine rankings
Google recently added having a SSL certificate as one
of the ranking parameters for search results. Having a
SSL certificate brings your site a competitive advantage
in Google's search engine results pages (SERPs).

8.
The disadvantages
Performance
When a transaction is initiated on a site with SSL
certificate, the process involves encryption and
decryption of the data transferred mutually. Because of
this, the connection slows down. However, a small
sacrifice in speed is worth the extra security. The SSL
certificate service provider should make sure the
process encrypts and decrypts information in real-time.

9.
Cost
Getting a SSL certificate for your business can be
expensive because the service providers need to pay for
maintenance of the infrastructure and they have to
verify your business credentials. All this entails cost.
Therefore, it may not be a viable option for small
businesses.

10.
Expired certificate
You need to renew your SSL certificate periodically.
When it expires, customers visiting your site get a pop-up
message saying that the SSL certificate in your site
has expired, and the site is not secure any longer.
If you do not renew the SSL certificate, you are likely
to lose customers' trust.
A SSL certificate is good for your business because it
protects your customers' data, protects the credibility
of your business, and it is likely to help you build a
good brand image in the long run.

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