The most commonly accepted technology for encrypting data is the Secured Socket Layer, more often known as an "SSL certificate". This widely used product offers security for your customers and yourself when applied on web sites. Without this encryption the packets of information that travel between business and customer would be at risk to a breach of confidentiality. The Secured Socket Layers provide tight security of all data transferred from browser to web host. This third party service is issued by a certificate authority to identify both sender and receiver on each end of a transaction.

Websites are hosted mostly with the objective of business. E-commerce sites like that of E-bay, Amazon.com, Dell etc, involve exchange of confidential information through internet. Other sites like, Paypal which is a payment gateway, involve payments through credit cards. Customers use their PIN numbers and other confidential information for such online payments. If encryption was not there, for all these confidential information, then such data would have been extracted by miscreants resulting into severe damages.

Manipulation of secured data could have been possible too. Though SSL technology for securing data is not absolute, still hacking can be restricted to a large extent. This digital certificate is used by several e-commerce sites where valuable customer data are exchanged everyday. After conducting a transaction process via a website, users often get to see a change in the URL, it becomes "HTTPS://". This also signifies that the information exchanged till now, with the website, is secure.

Here are just some of the vast benefits of Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates that a professional site can provide:

* Increased Customer Security and Confidence with SSL certification:

Customers feel good when they see the signs that indicate an SSL secured website. These signals include the 'https' in their browser's URL and the SSL site seal as well as the secure locked padlock next to the URL. They gain a feeling of relief and enjoy stress free shopping with the understanding of security protecting their private banking and other information. Your host understands these requirements and targets your exact needs. Your many customers that wish to purchase products online need that security to feel comfortable doing so feeling your site is reliable and authentic.

* Protects the confidential customer information:

The measure of your web host's success is the ability to install SSL certificates properly. The technology of encryption is measured by bytes. Your webhost will have knowledge of that for sure. If your web host can provide the necessary SSL certificates your customers information will be secure and your reputation will be stronger for it.

* Fast certification installation

Web hosts can help you obtain quick certification in a short time. They are always stuffed with ample resources and skilled people thus installation of SSL certification is always at their finger tips. But if someone is planning to do it alone for his/her own website, then adequate knowledge coupled with resources will have to be there.

* Helps in meeting regulatory requirements

This can be a very tricky area and you must know all of the regulations surrounding your business in order to provide the proper security. A web host has a wide variety of clientele and should meet the needs of many different institutions. SSL certificates comply with the HIPPA and Sarbanes-Oxley and others to be sure you comply.

The right web host for SSL certification installation:

* Web-based User Friendly Control Panel

Access to your web site controls is accessible through a web host's control panel. It should be easy to understand so that you can manipulate your website easily. Make sure you are comfortable with a web host's platform.

* Web hosts should provide dedicated IP address

The host should be able to provide a dedicated IP address which is essential for secured socket layers and Virtual FTP accounts.

* All cost information should be easy to find:

The web hosts have a typical tendency to add hidden charges. After the installation is complete they include that in the list of charges. Such hosts, who don't provide a clear estimation, should always be avoided.

* Maximum compatibly with popular browsers:

The certification that they install should have maximum browser compatibility. Users should be able to log on and use the website from almost all the popular browsers.

* Information on turning on and off

The web host should posses ample knowledge of all the technicalities related to SSL installation. He/she should be able to guide website owners who are ignorant about exactly which pages will have to be encrypted and which will not. SSL provides an option to turn it on when required and off when not in use.

* Authentic SSL certificate sharing

Authentic web hosts often have shared SSL certificates issued to them. These hosts will always install the SSL certificate just like can be done with a dedicated SSL. These certificates are linked to the Secure Site Seal issued with each certificate to the domain owner. This enables the top-level domains to encrypt data on their own. It requires the special expertise of the web host and will be performed this delicate task.

How is SSL certificate installed?

Step 1:

Every domain that uses an SSL certificate installed on it needs its own dedicated IP address. The host you use will have all necessary knowledge of this because they will handle the process.

Step 2:

When they begin the installation process of the new SSL certificate they check to be sure the site owner has requested it.

Step 3:

The control panel will have an option for 'Install SSL certificate and Setup the Domain'. Your host will check this and a wizard to install an SSL certificate will come up.

Step 4:

In that wizard, they paste the certificate which is obtained from SSL vendor. Note: This is not the same as that of CSR

Step 5:

When the next box opens a Domain section appears. This is where the SSL is applied. In another field labeled 'user' the control panel name is added followed by the dedicated IP address to install the certificate.

Step 6:

The host they pastes the RSA private key to end the installation process.