SSL Certificates for small and medium sized businesses

The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the most widely deployed security protocol used today. It is essentially a protocol that provides a secure channel between two machines operating over the Internet or an internal network. In today’s Internet focused world, the SSL protocol is typically used when a web browser needs to securely connect to a web server over the inherently insecure Internet. SSL Certificates are small data files that digitally bind a cryptographic key to an organization’s details. When installed on a web server, it activates the padlock and the https protocol (over port 443) and allows secure connections from a web server to a browser. Typically, SSL is used to secure credit card transactions, data transfer and logins, and more recently is becoming the norm when securing browsing of social media sites.

Public and Private Keys to Privacy

An SSL Certificate consists of a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt information and the private key is used to decipher it. When a browser points to a secured domain, a secure sockets layer handshake authenticates the server and the client and establishes an encryption method and a unique session key. They can begin a secure session that guarantees message privacy and message integrity.

Don’t Reveal Yourself on the Internet

Without SSL encryption, packets of information travel networks in full view. Imagine sending mail through the postal system in a clear envelope. Anyone with access to it can see the data. If it looks valuable, they might take it or change it.

Without third-party verification, how do you know a Web site is an authentic representative of a business you trust? Every SSL Certificate is created for a particular server in a specific domain for a verified business entity. Like a passport or a driver’s license, an SSL Certificate is issued by a trusted authority. When the SSL handshake occurs, the browser requires authentication from the server. If the information does not match or the certificate has expired, the browser displays an error message.

Imageway currently offers the following SSL certificates:

Comodo PositiveSSL Certificate: $99.99 for 1 year, $119.99 for 2 years, $129.99 for 3 years (BEST VALUE!)
Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard Certificate: $169.99 for 1 year, $189.99 for 2 years, $199.99 for 3 years (BEST VALUE!)

Free SSL certificate setup is only available to Imageway web hosting customers. The PositiveSSL Certificate is for a single domain name, such as yourdomain.com or www.yourdomain.com. Wildcard Certificates are for *.yourdomain.com, where the asterisk is any name before the primary domain name.