SSL Certificates is a Powerful Tool for Virtual Authentication

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is one of the most important tools for maintaining a secure internet connection. In order to ensure privacy, SSL software encrypts messages and network connections between web browsers and web servers. An SSL Certificate is an electronic document that holds information about a website owner in order to verify that he/she is connected to the site in question. Only those web servers deemed trustworthy are provided with the keys for decryption, in turn ensuring that only certified, secure sites are accessed. SSL Certificates are necessary tools for virtual authentication.

When a web browser attempts to connect with a website secured with SSL, the browser first requests that the web server identify itself by providing its SSL Certificate. The browser then determines whether the server is trusted before allowing the transfer of any information. Next, the server is given a public key that only it can decrypt if it is truly secure. Once the SSL encrypted session has started, the browser and web server may exchange information privately and safely.

SSL Certificate providers include many aspects of security on many different levels. Private information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, credit card information and passwords are all kept safe. Additionally, the encryptions and limited access to decryption make it virtually impossible for internet hackers to access any personal information that is exchanged between a browser and a server. The identities of both web browsers and web servers are authenticated so that neither is threatened with the access of information by an untrusted third party.

Overall, SSL Certificates serve as virtual certification that the exchange of information between web browsers and web servers is secure. A website without an SSL Certificate is not always trustworthy. With the complex encryption involved in SSL, on the other hand, a web browser can share any information with a web server and ensure it is not exchanged elsewhere.

Author Bio

Jim Armstrong is part of the expertly trained rapidSSLonline.com team. RapidSSLOnline is one of the most inexpensive SSL certificate providers in the world. RapidSSLOnline offers Wildcard SSL, SAN SSL, and Code Signing SSL certificates of major SSL brands such as VeriSign / Symantec, GeoTrust, Thawte, and RapidSSL on global scale. 

Securing Your Apache Web Server with a Thawte Digital Certificate

By using a Thawte secure sockets layer (SSL) digital certificate, organizations are able to directly implement SSL/TLS properly on the Apache server platform. Many users of encryption fail in one or more areas of the implementation, leading to embarrassment and financial losses for web hosting companies, application service providers, e-commerce shops and other online organizations. For the consumers violated by these failures, the financial losses might not compare to the loss of trust and perceived threat of identity theft. Thawte provides a higher level of trust by doing extended validation in issuance of digital certificates. This is clearly visible to users through the Thawte Trusted Site Seal and green bar.

The old saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link definitely applies in the use of SSL certificates. In fact, SSL is practically useless when deployed with self-signed certificates, mixed port HTTP sites, unencrypted cookies or when encrypting at rates that cannot withstand brute force attacks. Thawte serves any organization seeking reliable implementations of digital certificates on Apache. These certificates operate smoothly with all aspects of Apache, including virtual hosts, OpenSSL, ModSSL and Apache-SSL. By using Thawte SSL digital certificates with extended validation, visitors to an Apache host see that the certificate is valid and that "Thawte Inc [US]" provided the validation.

Securing any Apache server is a simple process. The server manager should install OpenSSL and ModSSL, Apache-SSL or any other library services that creates the interface between Apache and OpenSSL. Using the "openssl" application from the command prompt, the server manager should generate the "private" key that is used to make the official certificate signing request (CSR) to Thawte.

Common "openssl" command formats and options are available elsewhere; the server manager should not experiment with the CSR request process or "play around" with actual signings. There are multiple methods to test certificates, including creating self-signed test certificates that are signed by self-generated private keys. These methods for testing are fully compliant with X.509, but they have no purpose for authentication or encryption beyond the test and install process. Proper testing should occur in cases where the server managers or implementation team are inexperienced with the full process.

To conclude the actual implementation on the Apache server, the certificate is downloaded and installed by pasting into the proper server location. Thawte recommends using the name www.domain.com.crt for consistency. If the server's "httpd.conf" is missing the SSL Certificate File and SSL Certificate Key File directives, the server manager or implementation team should add them appropriately.

The implementation team should validate the success of the SSL implementation on the Apache server by connecting through multiple browsers and as many points of connection into the internet cloud as expected. Thawte recommends that troubleshooters begin with the Apache SSL FAQs at Thawte's website.

Author Bio

Jim Armstrong is part of the expertly trained rapidSSLonline.com team. RapidSSLOnline is one of the most inexpensive SSL certificate providers in the world. RapidSSLOnline offers Wildcard SSL, EV SSL, SAN SSL, and Code Signing SSL certificates of major SSL brands such as VeriSign / Symantec, GeoTrust, Thawte, and RapidSSL on global scale. 

The SSL Certificates roll as credit card protector

Websites that accept payments online usually have to take extra precautions to ensure that its customers can safely enter their personal credit card - or other banking information. The website creators must ensure that consumer’s information has no risk of having it falling into the wrong hands. When it comes to these types of online transactions, the best way to safeguard sensitive information is through the use of SSL certificates. In this article, learn about the important role the SSL certificate plays when it comes to online payments.

In order to better understand the role of the SSL certificate, it is necessary to define what the SSL certificate is, as well as what it does. This certificate is confirmation that the webpage is encrypted in a secure fashion. The certificate ensures that other parties do not have access to see what a consumer is doing online, not get access to their credit card information. The SSL certificate guarantees that the information that is entered by the client is not seen by someone else, who is not part of the transaction, while in transit to the merchant.

To that end, the secondary role of the SSL card is to verify to customers that they are dealing with a secure site and can feel confident that the information they are entering - such as credit card or banking information - is not going to fall into the wrong hands. Security is very important to merchants, as it may mean the difference between a customer agreeing to complete a transaction or deciding against it. Unsecured websites can ultimately result in lost revenue for any company.

Companies that plan to accept payment online from their customers are best served by offering an SSL-certified website. Doing so shows the clients that the company cares about protecting the customer's identity and financial information, which can lead to more closed business transactions as a result.

Author Bio

Jim Armstrong works with rapidSSLonline.com to provide customized support and solutions to businesses that seek SSL solutions. RapidSSLonline provides cheap SSL certificates including wide range of SSL security products like WildCard SSL, EV SSL, SAN SSL, and Code Signing SSL to maximize security for your data and transactions on web. His considerable knowledge of SSL includes brands like VeriSign, Thawte and Trustwave. Interested parties should contact rapidSSLonline.com by calling 727-388-4240 or by visiting https://www.rapidsslonline.com.

Understand a Multi Domain SSL / UCC SSL Certificate

Multi Domain SSL / Unified Communications Certificates (UCC) are SSL Certificates that secure multiple domains and hostnames using single server SSL certificate. Multi Domain SSL certificate secure a main hostname and additional up to 99 Subject Alternative Names on Single Certificate. Unified Communication products such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Communication Server, Share Point and many more can be secured with this specially designed UC certificate.

Multi Domain SSL can secure OWA, ActiveSync, SMTP, and Outlook Anywhere. Now you can purchase an all-in-one Multi Domain SSL to secure up to 25 services such as:

• mail.mydomain.com
• smtp.mydomain.net
• autodiscover.mydomain.com
• any.thing.mydomain.com
• www.other-domain.com
• msexchange1
• server.local
• 192.168.255.255
• msxautodiscover
• www.any-domain-you-own.com

Advantages of Multi Domain SSL Certificates:

• The Strongest Up to 256-bit SSL encryption.
• Secure up to 25 different domains, IPs, private server names on a single server.
• Display the GeoTrust True Site Seal with company name, date/time stamp.
• Quick and easy for enrollment, issuance and installation
• Complete Organization is authenticated
• Unlimited server licenses (no extra cost)
• 99+% browser recognition rate

About Author

RapidSSLonline is one of the largest resellers of major brand Secure SSL certificates such as RapidSSL, GeoTrust, Thawte, & VeriSign (Now Symantec). RapidSSLonline provides wide range of SSL security which includes Sub Domains WildCard SSL Certificate, EV SSL Certificates, Code Signing Certificate, & SAN Certificates. RapidSSLonline.com provides a Low Price Guarantee to beat any competitor pricing, along with 24/7 support for anytime problem-solving. XEROX, NOKIA, the University of Sydney, IBM, and thousands of small organizations and businesses have trusted RapidSSLonline since its founding in 2007.

Understanding Of GeoTrust SSL Certificates

GeoTrust is one of the largest and second world’s most trusted SSL certificate provider Certificate Authority (CA) on global scale. GeoTrust SSL certificate are comprehensive and affordable solution to secure website users and as well as organization which includes multi level of e-business transactions.

GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium:

QuickSSL Premium certificates are ideal for any company to secure web sites, internal and external networks and server-based applications. Issued off our most ubiquitous root, GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium Certificates assures online visitors that confidential information and transactions cannot be viewed, intercepted or altered by unintended third parties when transmitted over the Web and mobile devices.

GeoTrust True BusinessID:

True BusinessID Certificates are comprehensive solutions for a secure e-enterprise. If you are looking for end-to-end coverage for all your Internet security needs, True BusinessID from GeoTrust is the answer. This bundled package of SSL and True Site TM delivers unsurpassed browser and server recognition as well as airtight access protection and fraud prevention - all for one affordable low price.

GeoTrust True BusinessID WildCard:

GeoTrust True BusinessID Wildcard is the easy, affordable solution. Cheap GeoTrust True BusinessID Wildcard SSL certificate is an ideal solution if you need to secure multiple Fully Qualified Domain Names that share the same base domain name, reside on the same physical server and share the same second-level domain name.

GeoTrust Multi Domain SSL:

With a GeoTrust True BusinessID Multi-Domain - (SAN / UCC) SSL certificate, you can add, edit, or delete up to 25 domain names over the lifetime of the certificate. Unified Communication (Multi Domain SSL) products such as Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Communication Server, Share Point and many more can be secured with this specially designed UC certificate.

About Author

RapidSSLonline is one of the largest resellers of major brand SSL certificates such as RapidSSL, GeoTrust SSL certificate, Thawte, & VeriSign (Now Symantec), all of which operate at 256 bit encryption. RapidSSLonline.com provides cheapest SSL Certificates for as low as price with a low Price Guarantee beat any competitor pricing, along with 24/7 support for anytime problem-solving. XEROX, NOKIA, University of Sydney, IBM, and thousands of small organizations and businesses have trusted RapidSSLonline since its founding in 2007.