SSL is a core security technology used to protect data exchanged between a website and its visitors. Understanding how SSL works and when it is required helps you choose and deploy the correct certificate for your environment.
What SSL Is
SSL, short for Secure Sockets Layer, is a mechanism that secures communication between a web browser and a web server. Although modern implementations use TLS, the term SSL is still commonly used to describe HTTPS-encrypted connections.
SSL provides two fundamental security functions.
Cryptage
Encryption ensures that data transmitted between the website and the visitor cannot be read by third parties. When a user connects to a site over HTTPS, sensitive information such as login credentials, form data, and session cookies is encrypted during transit.
[Screenshot placeholder: browser address bar showing HTTPS and lock icon]
Without encryption, this data would be transmitted in plaintext and could be intercepted.
Authentication
Authentication confirms that visitors are communicating with the legitimate website and not an impersonator. SSL certificates are issued for specific domains and validate domain ownership.
This mechanism prevents attackers from presenting fake versions of a site to collect user information.
When an SSL Certificate Is Needed
An SSL certificate should be used on any website that:
- Collects personal or customer information
- Processes payments or billing data
- Provides login forms or user accounts
- Displays dashboards, portals, or private content
Modern browsers also mark non-HTTPS sites as insecure, which can negatively affect user trust.
SSL is supported across common hosting platforms, y compris cPanel hosting environments et évolutif cloud server infrastructure.
How SSL Certificates Are Obtained
SSL certificates can be issued through several different methods, depending on your hosting setup and security requirements.
Certificate Authority Issued Certificates
Certificates issued by recognized Certificate Authorities provide both encryption and authentication. These certificates are trusted automatically by modern browsers.
They are commonly used for production websites and business applications.
[Screenshot placeholder: certificate authority selection screen]
Automated Control Panel Certificates
Many hosting platforms provide automated SSL issuance and renewal directly from the control panel. These certificates are typically free, trusted by browsers, and suitable for most websites.
This approach is commonly used on Plesk-based hosting platforms, where certificates can be issued and renewed automatically.
[Screenshot placeholder: SSL management section in control panel]
Third-Party SSL Providers
SSL certificates can also be purchased from external providers. This process usually requires generating a Certificate Signing Request and installing the issued certificate manually.
Third-party certificates are often chosen when specific validation levels or warranty coverage are required.
[Screenshot placeholder: CSR generation screen]
Certificats auto-signés
Self-signed certificates provide encryption but do not offer authentication. Browsers do not trust these certificates by default and display security warnings.
They are suitable for testing or internal development environments, but not for public-facing websites.
SSL Certificate Types
Different certificate types are designed for different use cases.
Certificats SSL gratuits
Free certificates provide basic encryption and are suitable for personal sites, blogs, and many standard business websites. They typically do not include warranties or advanced validation.
Single-Domain Certificates
These certificates secure one fully qualified domain name and often include warranty coverage and site seals.
Wildcard Certificates
Wildcard certificates secure a primary domain and all its subdomains. This is useful for environments with multiple services hosted under subdomains.
Business and Extended Validation Certificates
Higher validation certificates verify organizational details in addition to domain ownership. They are commonly used by eCommerce platforms and enterprise websites where user trust is critical.
Common SSL Certificate Features
When selecting an SSL certificate, you may encounter the following features.
Warranty
Some certificates include a warranty that covers specific losses related to certificate mis-issuance.
Site Seals
Site seals visually indicate that a website is secured. Dynamic seals can display certificate details when clicked.
Validation Level
Certificates may validate only domain ownership or include additional checks such as organization identity and physical address.
SSL certificates can be deployed across hosting solutions ranging from shared environments to dedicated server platforms, depending on your infrastructure needs.