The SSL certificate is a communication protocol which guarantees the secure transmission of information on the internet through data encryption.

Without a certificate it wouldn’t be possible to establish a secure connection between the server and the user, and data would be exposed. This means sensitive data such as users, passwords and bank details.

How to know if a website has got an SSL certificate?

The easiest way to quickly know if a website has got an SSL certificate is by looking at the URL that appears in the browser. If we see it starts with ‘https://’ that final ‘s’ tells us that this website has got an SSL certificate and is therefore a secure site. In contrast, if the URL starts with ‘http://’, without the final ‘s’, this tells us that the website hasn’t got an SSL certificate and any data transmitted through it could be accessed by third parties and misused.

There are also tools such as ssl.cat and sslchecker, which tell us if a website has got an SSL certificate and consequently whether it’s safe. These types of tools are highly recommended for checking URLs which are unfamiliar to us or which might take us to websites with malware or infected with some virus.

How to get the SSL certificate for my website

The most advisable way to install an SSL certificate on your website is to do so via your registration company. Many of these offer free certificates when you get a domain. Whether they are free or they have a cost, bear in mind that they all guarantee the security of your website. The difference between a free certificate and one with a cost lies in the additional features and usability.

If you see that your registration company offers various options, it’s best to contact them so they can help you choose the one that most suits your needs.