When a signed SSL certificate secures a website, it proves that the organization has verified and authenticated its identity with the trusted third party; since the browser trusts the CA, the browser now trusts that organization’s identity too.
The easiest way to check if the website has an SSL installed is to look at your browser; see if the website URL starts with “HTTPS:” as this shows if it has an SSL certificate installed on the server. If so, click the padlock icon in the address bar to view the certificate information.
Web browsers use HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to connect to web servers that listen on TCP port 80 by default. HTTP is a plain-text protocol, which means it is relatively easy for a hacker to intercept and read the transit data. It is not adequate for any application that requires confidentiality.
SSL uses port number 443, encrypting data exchanged between the browser and the server and authenticating the user. Therefore, when the communications between the web browser and server need to be secure, the browser automatically switches to SSL — that is, as long as the server has an SSL certificate installed.
Establishing a connection with a server with a certificate signed by a trusted CA takes place without additional difficulties for the user. When an internet user visits an SSL-secured website, they are more willing to submit their contact information or shop with their credit card. Furthermore, having an SSL certificate on your website increases your ranking position, making it easier for users and customers to find your site.
SSL certificate attests to the reliability of a website, but with more advanced certificates, the entire company can be SSL certified.
