SSL Certificate

Your Questions, Our Answers

What is an SSL certificate?

An SSL certificate is a type of security certificate that's installed on a website when the website owners want to encrypt and protect user information. SSL certificates encrypt all traffic between the web server and the visitor's device, so that malicious parties cannot intercept the traffic. This is most commonly used on websites where sensitive information like credit card information or login details are being entered, however SSL certificates can be applied on any type of website.

How long will it take for my SSL certificate to be installed?

Many providers take several days to install SSL certificates – with UKHost4u, your certificate will be installed in no time at all.

Domain Validated certificates are installed in under 48 hours (excluding any extenuating circumstances).

Extended Validation certificates can take significantly longer due to the extensive vetting procedure. However, once issued by the certificate authority, we install these within 1 working day.

What are the different types of SSL certificates?

There are 3 standard types of SSL Certificate, defined by the differing validation methods used when ordering the certificate. The 3 types are:

• Domain Validation (DV)
• Organisation Validation (OV)
• Extended Validation (EV)

Each level of validation gives a different level of trust.

Domain Validation certificates are the most popular and cheapest of the common SSL certificates. Domain Validation consists of simply verifying the applicant’s right to hold the certificate – so just the email address is verified. This is the quickest level of validation which makes it perfect for smaller websites such as blogs, however it doesn’t provide the higher level of trust that you’d expect from an OV or EV certificate.

Organization Validation certificates check the validity of the applying organization, and as such it requires a much higher level of validation. Information about the business is validated, as well as the business registry databases and documentation. This gives customers a higher level of trust in the organization as opposed to a DV certificate.

Extended Validation certificates are the highest level of validation available commercially, and the process includes extensive vetting of the applicant. Checks are made on the legal status of the company, the public records, as well as the physical existence of the applying entity. This means that the validation process can take considerably longer however the higher level of trust makes it a perfect choice for public authorities or online stores.

How do SSL certificates work?

SSL certificates provide a secure connection between client and server by encrypting communications end-to-end. Data is encrypted with the certificate, and decrypted with the proper cryptographic key.

An SSL certificate gives a level of trust and authenticity in the website you’re visiting, and is widely used for all kinds of websites especially business websites and eCommerce websites.

Each certificate contains the following information:

• Certificate owner’s name
• Certificate serial number and expiration date
• Copy of the certificate owner’s public key
• Digital signature of Certificate Authority (CA)

If I buy an SSL certificate from UKHost4u, how will it improve my Google rankings?

In recent years, Google has updated it’s algorithm to reflect the popularity and importance of SSL certificates, and has communicated that SSL Certificates should be used to ensure privacy and safety across the internet. As such, Google prioritizes websites with an SSL Certificate, and these websites consistently rank higher in search results lists – allowing more visitors to find your website, and in turn more new customers.

What's the difference between a paid SSL and a free SSL?

There are a few fundamental differences between free SSLs and paid SSLs, although often the level of data encryption will be the same. Validation is one of the main areas that free SSL certificates differ from paid SSL certificates, as free SSL certificates don't often require the same level of validation as paid SSL certificates - meaning paid SSL certificates will be trusted more often than free ones. Paid SSL certificates are also trusted by all web browsers whereas free SSL certificates are often marked as untrusted on web browsers. Renewal periods are also different with free SSLs, as they often need to be renewed often, sometimes every few months, whereas paid SSLs are typically applied for a year or more.