What is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that digitally binds an organisation’s details with a cryptographic key which provides authentication for a website which enables an encrypted connection from your browser to the website. When an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is activated on a website you'll see the padlock symbol next to the website URL and allows an HTTPS connection which tells you information sent between you and the site is secured. You'll typically see websites that deal with personal details, financial details and logins etc. using an SSL HTTPS secured connection and now the majority of sites will be using this secured method.

More specifically an SSL Certificate will bind together a domain name, server name or hostname with an organisations identity (your company) and location.

How does it work?

SSL Certificates use a type of cryptography called public key cryptography. When generating a certificate your get a pair of keys - a Private Key and a Public Key. Your website uses the Private Key to decode the information coming from the website's users.

For example, think of an SSL Certificate as the padlock of a locked box containing your information which is being sent to the website and the key is the Private Key. Therefore, if your information were to be intercepted by a hacker on its way to the website, they could not break it even with the power of a computer.