SSL certificates confirm that a web page is equipped with secured data exchange. Site visitors can therefore see at first glance whether they are on the site of a trustworthy provider. In addition, SSL certificates also increase the findability of a page on Google and operators benefit from an improved SEO ranking. Following this principle, this is how SSL certificates work:
You can secure the data exchange on a website by using an SSL certificate. SSL stands for "Secure Socket Layer" and describes a network protocol for a secure transmission of data. An SSL certificate encrypts the data that is exchanged between a website and its visitors. Thus unauthorized users cannot access the information provided. An SSL certificate enables website owners to protect customer data when querying sensitive data such as passwords, email addresses or account information.
In addition to the "https" in front of the actual internet address (the extra "s" stands for "secure") an SSL-secured page is indicated by the lock icon in the browser address bar. Clicking on the icon displays further information about the SSL certificate of the visited website, such as certifier and expiration date. SSL certificates are issued by specific providers.
As a result of the encrypted exchange of customer data via SSL certificates, website operators do not only create trust, but can also be found better on the net, because search engines grant sites with SSL connection a better ranking within the search results. Market leader Google has taken this into account in its search algorithm since 2014. In addition, web pages with SSL encryption load faster, whereby visitors can quickly retrieve the information they need.
Robert Hoffmann is CEO of 1&1.