Why is SSL important? 9 Reasons Why Every Website Needs It

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You've probably seen a lock symbol or the abbreviation HTTPS next to a website's URL while browsing the web. These symbols indicate that the connection between your browser and the website's server is secure.

This technology is based on the SSL/TLS cryptographic protocol . Today, all websites must use it to meet security and SEO requirements.

But why is SSL important? What benefits does it provide that browsers and search engines consider it a vital element of digital interaction? This article examines the importance of an SSL certificate for a website.

9 Reasons Why SSL Is Important
Think of SSL as your first line of defense against data theft. Among its many uses: it improves the security of your website, protects sensitive information, builds trust online, prevents phishing attacks, and ensures the safety of online transactions. Let's take a closer look at these points.

1. Increases web security
Since their introduction, SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its predecessor TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocols have revolutionized web security.

SSL encrypts the connection between users' browsers mobile app development service and your site, ensuring that all data exchanged remains private and untouched. It's like a digital bodyguard, protecting sensitive information from cyber threats like hackers and malware.

With SSL, your site establishes a secure channel for data transmission, making it virtually impossible for third parties to intercept or tamper with the information being transmitted. As a result, personal data, login credentials, and payment information are safe from hackers.

SSL improves security and builds trust. When visitors connect to a secure website, they can browse, shop, and interact with confidence.




2. Protecting sensitive data
Without SSL, data is transmitted in plain text when you fill out an online form or register on any website, making it easily readable by anyone who intercepts it. This vulnerability exposes sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, to potential theft or misuse.

However, SSL encryption converts this data into an unintelligible format during transmission, making it virtually impossible for unauthorized persons to decipher. Thus, SSL ensures the privacy and security of sensitive data during online transactions or communications, protecting user privacy and preventing cyber attacks.

SSL encrypts data using a process called symmetric encryption . When a user's browser initiates a connection to a secure website, the server sends its public key to the browser. The browser then generates a random session key, encrypts it with the public key, and sends it back to the server.

Only the server that has the corresponding private key can decrypt this session key .

Want to learn more about what's going on in the background while you're connecting to a secure site? Check out our guides to the TLS handshake and public key cryptography .

3. Builds trust online
Beyond its technical function, SSL serves as a clear indicator that a site cares about user security and privacy. When visitors see a padlock icon or “https://” in their browser address bar, they perceive the site as reliable and trustworthy, which increases their confidence when making transactions or sharing personal information. This transparency of security measures builds trust in sites and contributes to a positive user experience.