SSL Affecting Your Website Key Takeaways:
- Over 150 million websites today have an SSL certificate, making secure websites essential for conducting online transactions and protecting data.
- SSL (security sockets layers) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) provide data encryption, making it difficult for hackers to access sensitive information.
- SSL and TLS require authentication between devices, use the HTTPS protocol, and utilize digital signatures for secure online transactions.
- SSL technology was introduced in the mid-90s, followed by TLS as an upgrade to address vulnerabilities in SSL 3.0.
- TLS offers advantages such as fixing SSL certificate weaknesses, providing enhanced features, and compatibility with modern browsers.
- Major web browsers like Google Chrome have switched to TLS, making it important to have the latest TLS encryption for secure websites.
- SSL and TLS are crucial for search engine results (SERPs), as sites without an SSL certificate are flagged and penalized by search engines.
- Google prioritizes SSL-enabled sites in search engine results, highlighting the importance of SSL for optimizing SEO.
- apnTech specializes in secure websites, offering custom digital strategies, business listing services, and voice search services to help improve search engine rankings.
- Contact apnTech for assistance in securing websites, improving search engine visibility, and utilizing web conferencing services.
Did you know that over one hundred and fifty million websites today have an SSL certificate? If you’re in the e-commerce business, you may already know what an SSL certificate is. Investing in secure websites is the lifeline for customers to conduct online transactions.
But if you’re unsure about SSL, this guide is for you. SSL-enabled sites, besides e-commerce, are essential to protect data and boost search engine results.
And hopefully, you’re not a victim of cyber crime. But unfortunately, inadequate data encryption or insecure websites opens the door to cyber warfare. So stay one step ahead of the game and secure your website and cash flow with an SSL-enabled site.
What Is SSL?
SSL is an acronym for security sockets layers. However, today’s secure websites use the modern SSL upgrade, TLS (Transport Layer Security). But both SSL and TLS provide data encryption.
This data encryption makes it difficult for hackers or MITM attacks (man-in-the-middle) to break or read sensitive data like online transactions. Here are some quick highlights of SSL-enabled sites:
- Authentication between devices
- Digital signatures
- Uses the HTTPS protocol
SSL and TSL require communicating servers and devices to prove authenticity before proceeding with online transactions. This process in the tech world is known as handshakes. The digital handshake produces sophisticated keys to encrypt data.
SSL to TSL
Netscape, the defunct internet browser, introduced SSL technology in the mid-90s. Before SSL, web browsers made online transactions without encryption. So, to thwart MITM attacks, websites became SSL-enabled.
However, vulnerabilities made SSL-enabled websites susceptible to MITM attacks. In 1999, TSL emerged as an upgrade from SSL 3.0. SSL 3.0 itself was an upgrade from the original SSL 2.0 technology.
But to maximize search engine results and from Google’s encouragement, today, secure websites turn to TSL over SSL 3.0. TSL offers these distinct advantages:
- Fixes SSL certificates weaknesses
- Provides enhanced features
- Is compatible with modern browsers
Major web browsers like Google Chrome switched over to TSL in 2014. So, it behooves your websites to have the latest TSL encryption because SSL is being phased out. However, you can enable both technologies to secure websites from MITM attacks.
SSL and SERPS
SERPS is short for search engine results. From on-page SEO to Local SEO, you want your site to rank high on search engines like Google and Bing. Having an SSL certificate or TSL is essential for search engine results.
Google, for example, prioritizes favorable search engine results for sites with SSL-enabled. Conversely, sites without an SSL certificate are flagged and penalized in search engine results. For optimum search engine results, check out our blog post for pointers.
More About What Is SSL
If you have further questions about what is SSL or what is an SSl certificate, apnTech is the solution for your company. Providing solutions for secure websites is our motto.
We specialize in custom digital strategies to help your websites rank in search engine results favorably. Also, we provide business listing services to help your brand connect with your target audience. And to take your local SEO to the next level, we offer state-of-the-art voice search services.
Contact apnTech today to begin getting your websites seen in the search engine results. We also offer web conferencing.
SSL Affecting Your Website FAQs
What are SSL and TLS and why are they essential for secure websites and online transactions?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its modern upgrade TLS (Transport Layer Security) provide data encryption, making it difficult for hackers to access sensitive information, ensuring secure websites and online transactions.
How do SSL and TLS ensure secure communication between devices?
SSL and TLS require authentication between devices through digital handshakes, which produce encryption keys, ensuring secure communication and data transmission.
Why is TLS preferred over SSL 3.0?
TLS is preferred over SSL 3.0 because it offers enhanced features, compatibility with modern browsers, and fixes for vulnerabilities present in SSL, making it a more secure option.
How can having an SSL or TLS certificate benefit a website's search engine rankings?
Search engines like Google prioritize secure websites with SSL or TLS certificates, resulting in better search engine results and potentially higher rankings for those websites.
What can happen to websites without SSL certificates in terms of search engine rankings?
Websites without SSL certificates may be penalized in search engine rankings, potentially leading to lower visibility and reduced organic traffic from search engines.
Why is it important to secure websites and transactions with SSL or TLS encryption?
It is crucial to stay ahead of cybercrime by securing websites and transactions with SSL or TLS encryption to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access or cyber attacks.
What services does apnTech specialize in to improve search engine visibility?
apnTech specializes in secure websites, custom digital strategies, business listing services, and voice search services, all aimed at improving search engine visibility for their clients.
What additional service does apnTech provide besides website-related solutions?
apnTech also offers web conferencing services to facilitate virtual meetings and collaborations.
How can businesses get assistance from apnTech?
Businesses can contact apnTech for assistance in securing websites, improving search engine rankings, and utilizing digital strategies to enhance their online presence.
