What is SSL and Why Does Your Website Need It?

Understanding SSL: The Foundation of Web Security

You’ve probably noticed that some website addresses start with “https://” while others use “http://“. That small “s” makes a big difference - it indicates the website is protected by SSL.

What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a security technology that creates an encrypted connection between a web server and a visitor’s browser. When SSL is active, all data transmitted between the two is encrypted, making it extremely difficult for anyone to intercept or read.

The modern version of SSL is actually called TLS (Transport Layer Security), which uses more advanced encryption methods including ECC, RSA, and DSA encryption. However, the term “SSL” is still commonly used to refer to this security technology.

How Do You Know a Website Has SSL?

When you visit a website with SSL enabled, you’ll notice:

1. HTTPS in the URL: The address starts with “https://” instead of “http://”
2. Padlock icon: A padlock appears in the browser’s address bar
3. Certificate details: Clicking the padlock shows information about the SSL certificate

If a website doesn’t have SSL, modern browsers like Chrome will display a “Not Secure” warning.

Why SSL is Essential for Your Website

1. Security SSL protects sensitive data like:

• Login credentials
• Personal information
• Credit card details
• Form submissions

Without SSL, this data is transmitted in plain text, making it vulnerable to interception.

2. SEO Benefits Google has officially included SSL as a ranking factor since 2014. Websites with SSL certificates receive a ranking boost in search results. Additionally, Google Chrome warns users when they visit non-HTTPS sites, which can drive visitors away.

3. Trust and Credibility The padlock icon signals to visitors that your website is secure. This builds trust, especially for e-commerce sites where customers enter payment information.

4. Compliance Many regulations (like GDPR) require websites to protect user data. SSL is a fundamental part of meeting these requirements.

SSL Certificates at DuelHost

DuelHost provides free SSL certificates via Let’s Encrypt for all domains on your hosting package. Key points:

• Automatic: SSL certificates are automatically created for all your domains
• Free: No additional cost - included with all hosting packages
• Auto-renewal: Certificates renew automatically before expiration
• Trusted: Let’s Encrypt certificates are trusted by all major browsers

Requirements for SSL Activation

For your SSL certificate to activate properly:

1. Your domain must be active and pointing to DuelHost servers
2. DNS must be correctly configured (either using our nameservers or pointing to our server IP)
3. The domain should be added to your hosting account in DirectAdmin

Verifying Your SSL Certificate

You can verify your SSL is working correctly:

1. Visit your website and check for the padlock icon
2. Click the padlock to view certificate details
3. Use a verification tool like DigiCert’s SSL Checker

SSL vs. TLS: What’s the Difference?

While people commonly say “SSL,” the technology has evolved:

DuelHost supports TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 for maximum security and compatibility.

Ready to Set Up SSL?

If you need help setting up SSL on your domain, check out our SSL setup guide for step-by-step instructions.

Need Help?

Contact our support team at support@duelhost.dk or through our contact form if you have any questions about SSL.