What is SSL Certificate and Do HTTPS secured by 3 types of SSL Certificate
You may learn the below contents:
What is SSL Certificate,
Do HTTPS secured by 3 types of SSL Certificate and
How to get SSL Certificate by Cloudflare step by step.
About SSL Certificate: An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that establishes a secure, encrypted connection between a user's web browser and the server hosting a website. SSL certificates play a crucial role in securing the transfer of sensitive information, such as personal data, login credentials, and financial transactions, over the internet. They are a fundamental component of the broader security protocol known as TLS (Transport Layer Security), which has largely replaced SSL but is often still referred to as SSL.
SSL certificates serve the following purposes:
1.Encryption: SSL certificates encrypt data transmitted between the user's browser and the server, preventing unauthorized parties from intercepting and reading sensitive information.
2.Authentication: SSL certificates also provide authentication, verifying the identity of the website to ensure that users are connecting to the intended server and not an impostor. This helps in building trust between users and websites.
3.Integrity: SSL certificates ensure the integrity of data during transmission, meaning that the information cannot be altered or tampered with by malicious actors.
SSL certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs), which are trusted entities that confirm the legitimacy of the entities requesting certificates. There are different types of SSL certificates based on the level of validation and the number of domains or subdomains they cover.
1.Domain Validated (DV) Certificates:
•Provides basic encryption.
•Only verifies the ownership of the domain.
•Quick to obtain and typically the least expensive.
2.Organization Validated (OV) Certificates:
•Requires additional validation of the Hosting organization's identity.
•Provides a higher level of trust compared to DV certificates.
•Displays the organization's information in the certificate details.
3.Extended Validation (EV) Certificates:
•The most rigorous validation process.
•Requires thorough verification of the organization's identity and legal existence.
•Provides the highest level of trust.
•Activates the green address bar in most browsers, indicating a secure connection.
When a website uses HTTPS (HTTP Secure), it means that it is secured using an SSL/TLS certificate. The choice of SSL certificate type depends on the level of security and trustworthiness required for a particular website or application. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on using EV certificates and HTTPS to enhance the security and trustworthiness of online platforms.
Getting an SSL certificate through Cloudflare involves several steps. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1.Sign Up for Cloudflare:
•If you don't already have a Cloudflare account, sign up for one at https://www.cloudflare.com/.
•Follow the registration process and add your website to Cloudflare.
2.Update Name Servers:
•Cloudflare provides you with two name servers that you need to update at your domain registrar.
•Log in to your domain registrar's website and replace your current name servers with the ones provided by Cloudflare.
3.Wait for DNS Propagation:
•It may take some time for the DNS changes to to promote.. This can range from a few minutes to 48 hours, although it's often quicker.
4.Configure SSL/TLS Settings:
•Once your domain is active on Cloudflare, log in to your Cloudflare account.
•Go to the "SSL/TLS" section in the Cloudflare dashboard.
•Set the SSL/TLS encryption mode to "Full (strict)" for maximum security.
5.Enable Always Use HTTPS:
•In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the "Edge Certificates" section.
•Enable "Always Use HTTPS" to ensure all traffic is encrypted.
6.Origin Server Configuration:
•Make sure your web server is properly configured to handle HTTPS requests. Install an SSL certificate on your origin server if you haven't already.
7.Automatic HTTPS Rewrites:
•In the Cloudflare dashboard, go to the "Edge Certificates" section.
•Enable "Automatic HTTPS Rewrites" to fix mixed content issues on your domain or website.
8.Check SSL Certificate Status:
•In the Cloudflare dashboard, navigate to the "SSL/TLS" section.
•Verify that the SSL certificate status is "Active" and check the expiration date.
•Verify that the SSL certificate status is "Active" and check the expiration date.
9.Test Your Website:
•Visit your website using "https://" to ensure that the SSL certificate is working correctly.
10.Consider Additional Settings:
•Depending on your needs, you may want to explore additional settings such as HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) and other security features in the Cloudflare dashboard.
Keep in mind that the exact steps may vary slightly based on updates to the Cloudflare interface. Always refer to the latest Cloudflare documentation for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.