March 22, 2023
Thoughts and updates —

The importance of SSL for non-technical readers

The importance of SSL for non-technical readers

The internet is an amazing place where we can share information and communicate with people all over the world, but it's also a place where we need to be cautious about our privacy and security. That's where SSL comes in - it's a technology that helps keep our online activities safe and secure.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it's a protocol that encrypts the communication between your web browser and the website you're visiting. When you visit a website that uses SSL, you'll notice that the website's address starts with "https" instead of "http". The "s" stands for "secure", and it means that the website is using SSL to encrypt your data.

So, why is this important? Well, let's say you're visiting an online store to buy something. When you enter your credit card information and click "submit", that information is transmitted over the internet to the store's server. If that information is not encrypted, it could be intercepted by a hacker and used for fraudulent purposes. However, if the website is using SSL, your credit card information is encrypted, making it much more difficult for a hacker to intercept and use.

SSL is also important for protecting your privacy. When you visit a website without SSL, your internet service provider (ISP) or anyone who is monitoring your internet traffic can see the information you're sending and receiving. This includes sensitive information like your login credentials, personal information, and browsing history. However, when you visit a website that uses SSL, your data is encrypted, making it much more difficult for anyone to intercept and view your online activities.

In addition to protecting your data and privacy, SSL is also important for establishing trust between you and the website you're visiting. When a website uses SSL, it's indicating that it takes security seriously and is committed to protecting its users. This can give you peace of mind when you're sharing sensitive information online.

Finally, SSL is becoming increasingly important for search engine optimization (SEO). Google has indicated that it considers SSL to be a ranking signal, which means that websites that use SSL are more likely to rank higher in search engine results. This can be especially important for businesses that rely on their website to generate leads and sales.

In summary, SSL is an important technology that helps keep our online activities safe and secure. It protects our data and privacy, establishes trust with the websites we visit, and can even improve our website's search engine rankings. So, the next time you're browsing the web, look for that "https" in the website's address - it could make all the difference in keeping your online activities safe and secure.

If you have concerns about the security of your website and need help to improve it then we’d love to have a chat with you.