Understanding SSL/TLS Certificates
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are security protocols used to establish an encrypted link between a web server and a browser.
SSL Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my certificate expires?
Users will see security warnings in their browser, and access to your site may be blocked. This leads to loss of trust and drop in SEO rankings.
What type of SSL certificate do I need?
For most websites, a standard DV (Domain Validated) certificate is sufficient. OV or EV certificates provide higher trust for corporate sites.
An SSL Certificate Checker is an online tool that verifies the validity, expiration date, issuer, and configuration of SSL/TLS certificates installed on web servers. It helps identify security vulnerabilities and certificate misconfigurations.
Key Facts
- Over 95% of web traffic is now encrypted with HTTPS
- Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal since 2014
- Let's Encrypt has issued over 3 billion free certificates
- TLS 1.3 reduces handshake time by 33% compared to TLS 1.2
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website identity and enables encrypted connection between a web server and browser.
How do I know if my SSL certificate is valid?
Use this SSL Checker tool. A valid certificate shows green status, future expiration date, trusted CA issuer, and TLS 1.2+ protocol.
What happens when an SSL certificate expires?
Browsers display security warnings, your site may become inaccessible, SEO rankings drop, and customer trust is lost.
What is the difference between SSL and TLS?
TLS is the successor to SSL. Modern websites use TLS 1.2 or 1.3. TLS offers stronger security and better performance.
Do I need an SSL certificate?
Yes. Chrome marks HTTP sites as Not Secure. SSL is essential for SEO, trust, data protection, and GDPR compliance. Free certificates available from Let's Encrypt.