This FAQ on making your site “Secure” is going to walk you through the steps you’ll need to take.
The goal of this is to have your site url show a little green padlock in the visitors browser window.
You are going to hear a few new words and acronyms like SSL, SECURE and https. Here’s a quick definition.
SSL CERTificate: This stands for Secure Sockets Layer. It’s simply a data file that ties in the necessary items to make encryption possible between their browser, your host, and the files that create your website. We might say SSL or SSL Cert or SSL Certificate but we’re talking about the same thing.
https: This is the beginning of the url for a secure site. You might already know that the http stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol and of course the added S would then stand for Secure.
SECURE: This is a general term that we are using to describe a site that has a valid SSL Cert combined with proper coding to continue what is called a daisy chain of security. If that chain is unbroken, we have encryption happening and have what is called a “SECURE” website.
So, no matter what words we’re using – the goal is going to be the same. That little green padlock.
Posted in: HTTPS, SSL and making your site Secure