Not every computer system user imagines how the Internet connection works. Sometimes, of course, when you receive a message that a secure SSL connection is established, some begin to delve into the essence of the communication issue. However, it is worth considering specific questions: what is an SSL connection, an SSL certificate, why is it needed, how to get it, and how practical are such actions? Let’s try to deal with this issue with the simplest examples and, so to speak, show on the fingers how this all works.
What is SSL connection technology?
Based on some official requirements of the Internet, you need to be especially scrupulous about security policies. In this sense, one of the key concepts is the SSL certificate. Why is it provided for use for some resources?
Yes, only to confirm the authenticity of some resource (mind you, official) to which you are logging in. In other words, this is an electronic non-published document that guarantees the safety of visiting a particular site on the World Wide Web.
SSL certificate: why is this document needed?
Speaking about the principles that are laid down in access technology based on a secure SSL connection, here it is worthwhile to make a comparison with access like HTTPS, which, in fact, is also protected (this is indicated by the letter “S”.
If you look at the SSL certificate (why such a document is needed or how to use it for practical purposes), it should be noted that, roughly speaking, it confirms not only the security of the connection or the content of the Internet resource in terms of published content, but also the encryption methodology used for sending and received data.
That is, when accessing which web page the user should not have problems with personal data (logins, passwords, PIN codes, etc.), since this document certifies that the security system will protect him from any outside interference. As already clear, such user information is not transmitted to third parties. In this sense, it is believed that when establishing a secure connection such as SSL, additional security tools such as antivirus, firewall or Windows defender, which appeared as one of the main components starting with the eighth version of the operating system, are not needed.
Principles of user interaction
Now let's see how it all works. It goes without saying that today, high-tech software products called browsers are used to access the Internet.
At the time of a communication session, when you try to open a page, the browser does not immediately download text and multimedia data. First, he analyzes them or, so to speak, makes them readable. After that, the content is tested for potential threats. Do not think that browsers do not have their own means of protection. Often they are far superior to some antivirus programs. If everything goes well, then the antivirus is connected.
But here's what is interesting: in this time period, the authenticity of the site and its publisher is initialized. This is where the SSL certificate comes into effect. Why this confirmation option is needed is probably already clear. The browser receives a response about the reliability of the resource and establishes a connection. Otherwise, it is blocked. Sometimes, however, it happens that a lock is triggered completely unreasonably, for example, because a certificate has expired or because the system or antivirus itself considers some page to be potentially unsafe (this will be discussed later).
Who issues SSL certificates?
Today, there are several official organizations involved in the processing of electronic documents and signatures of this type. In this case, we mean the SSL certificate. Why such an electronic document is needed, it is not difficult to understand, based on the principles of jurisprudence.
In fact, the certificate works in two directions: it confirms the security of the use of the resource by the user at the entrance and imposes liability for damage caused to the user if he picked up a virus from this resource. On the other hand, even having a certificate cannot guarantee that communications will be safe (just remember the attacks on the servers of world military departments or the recent offshore scandal).
Today, the recognized official organizations that issue such documents are considered the following:
- COMODO.
- TTHAWTE.
- GeoTrust.
- RapidSSL.
- Symantec et al.
It is noteworthy that Symantec Corporation is on this list, which is almost the first developer of security systems when the same Kaspersky Lab was not in the project. Judging by the reviews of people using such certificates, it is this company that provides the widest range of services.
What does the user get when registering?
Now let's look at the benefits that an ordinary site owner gets. Let's imagine what the root SSL certificate is and why it is needed. As a rule, it is he who is the main one in the list of support services provided, although at least three are present in the main package of such certificates:
- root
- intermediate;
- Certificate for individual domains.
Without going into details of each technology, we can only note that upon receipt of a certificate of any level, the same site owner receives some unspoken advantages over competitors. Firstly, the SSL certificate certifies the reliability of the resource, secondly, it guarantees secure data encryption, thirdly, oddly enough, it raises the rating of the resource at the level of search engines, which, as you know, initially search for query results on trusted resources.
Where to use SSL certificates? Here you can immediately apply the legal aspect. Roughly speaking, the owner of the site, having received this certificate, disclaims all responsibility for the security of the resource, since the organization that issued such an electronic document acts as a guarantor. Of course, checks are made almost daily. And, of course, it is initially assumed that the site certified in terms of security will not host the so-called pirated content or automatically triggered malicious codes that could harm the end user upon entering the site or even during the redirect operation.
Encrypted Connection Issues
So, why do we need an SSL certificate, we figured it out a bit. Now let's look at some problems, alas, arising quite often when establishing such an encrypted connection.
It is believed that crashes can be observed in the event of a virus infection, incorrect browser settings, blocking Internet access at the firewall and antivirus levels, and also that it looks rather strange due to incorrect date and time settings on the system timer (not in Windows, but in the BIOS).
The simplest methods to remedy the situation
As follows from the above, to deal with such situations is easy. Disabling the same firewall or changing the date in the BIOS is easy.
Browsers are another matter. Each developer tries to put maximum functionality into them, which can often cause conflicts at the system level. In other words, add-ons and plugins installed by the user are not always recognized by the system adequately.
In some cases, both the system and the browser try to block a particular component, considering it potentially unsafe. Unfortunately, there is no consistency here. Therefore, it is recommended that you check the performance of even your resource exclusively on the built-in Windows browsers (either Internet Explorer or Edge).
Is it profitable to issue an SSL certificate?
Now we turn to the question of the advisability of obtaining what is called an SSL certificate. Why such a document is needed, I think, is a little clear. However, the same site owners are asking more about the cost of processing such a document. As it turns out, such a service is quite cheap. For example, the design of the basic package Comodo PositiveSSL Certificate on average will cost 500-550 rubles, a rank higher - about 4 thousand, the most important - about 8 thousand rubles.
At the same time, the guarantees provided are also worth considering. So, for example, for certificates in ascending order, the guarantee is 10, 50 and 100 thousand US dollars.
What is the result?
As for the conclusions, here each user, or rather, the owner of the site or domain name, must decide on the feasibility of acquiring such a document himself. If we talk about end users, they should not have problems with access to certified resources, unless with the expiration of the certificate. On the other hand, the dominance of search engines can also affect, because they primarily turn to secure sites with verified SSL certificates. So here, as they say, a double-edged sword.