What is a Security Certificate?
Installing a
security certificate enables the Secure Socket Layer
capabilities built into major browsers and web servers.
SSL is a standard method for protecting web
communications by providing message encryption, server
authentication, message integrity and client
authentication for a TCP/IP connection. Encryption makes
it very difficult for messages to be intercepted and
decrypted. A security certificate acts as the key used
to decrypt encrypted messages by an authenticated
message receiver. We use SSL for transmitting and
accepting secure information (such as passwords) or for
encrypting entire sessions that are expected to contain
private or confidential information.
When asked
whether or not to accept a security certificate, the
decision should be based on the nature of the
information that will be exchanged. Accepting a security
certificate is similar to adding an insurance policy.
Accepting the certificate ensures that the website has a
relationship with a guarantor that provides encryption
and certifies that the site is secure. |