Web Hosting with SSL Comparison UK

SSL Web Hosting - Encryption for the Internet

Why is SSL Web Hosting an Essential Standard?

For a long time, internet connections were rarely encrypted. This meant that sensitive information such as passwords or bank details was sent as plain text and could be read by any intermediary or random third party. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or its successor, Transportation Layer Security (TLS), was only used in exceptional cases. For example, in an open network, any participant could log and analyze other users' data. With SSL Web Hosting, the data is encrypted between the visitor and the server, and decryption on both ends requires an individual code. Search engines like Google now require this encryption and factor it into their rankings.

What Additional Costs are Associated with SSL Web Hosting?

Encrypting via SSL is easily achievable by generating your own certificates and keys. However, these require authentication, which can only be done by a few officially certified entities. Since the end of 2015, the non-profit organization Let's Encrypt has been offering free certificates, with the aim of enhancing overall internet security. Sponsors include Google, Mozilla, Cisco, and the Linux Foundation. Since then, the price of SSL Web Hosting has significantly decreased - it is now included in the basic package of many providers.

Does Every Host Offer SSL Web Hosting?

It is evident that data in general, and sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details, must not be transported unencrypted. Therefore, SSL Web Hosting is part of the offerings of all major providers. The SSL standard has become established in web hosting over the last 15 years and is typically included in basic services. The only exception is some free hosts that provide reduced services in ad-supported offers. They offer SSL Web Hosting only for an additional fee, as the management and acquisition of certificates can only be partially automated.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of SSL Web Hosting?

Advantages:

• Safely encrypted connections
• Improved ranking on search engines like Google
• Easy installation and configuration
• Compatibility with existing websites
• Data security is ensured
• No negative impact on performance
• Subsequent encryption via external SSL proxy servers possible

Disadvantages:

• Advertisements only possible through encrypted providers
• Longer loading times on older hardware
• Conversion of all links to HTTPS required
• All content must be loaded via SSL

Are there alternatives to SSL web hosting?

Of course, it is always possible to completely forgo encryption. However, for various reasons - from security to SEO - this is not advisable. Direct alternatives to SSL web hosting as encryption do not exist, but there are different approaches to technical implementation. These include individual certificates for a website, global certificates from the provider for shared hosting, or an SSL proxy server that handles the encryption of an otherwise insecure site. However, manual installation requires corresponding expertise. In contrast, SSL web hosting is a straightforward and convenient solution.

What are SSL certificates?

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a hybrid encryption protocol used for secure data transmission over the Internet. Currently, the protocol is being developed under the name Transport Layer Security (TLS), which often leads to misunderstandings. TLS is the standardized evolution of SSL. Both terms refer to the same encryption method. It is based on two keys, a public key used for data encryption and a secret key used for data decryption. SSL certificates allow data transmitted between a computer and a server over the Internet to be secured. SSL encryption can be used for accessing websites, uploading data to the network, or even for email communication. The purpose of encryption is primarily to prevent unauthorized third parties from reading the data. Additionally, certification by a trusted institution helps users ensure they are indeed communicating with the correct server.

Users can recognize the use of SSL certificates on websites based on the following criteria:

• In the Browser
  • The browser displays the encrypted version https:// instead of the transmission protocol http://.
  • In addition, a symbol in the form of a shield or lock is displayed in one of the browser's status bars to indicate increased security.
  • Some certificates are displayed by a "green browser bar" in the address field.
• On the Website
  • On websites with an SSL certificate, corresponding seals or logos are usually displayed, providing more information about the encryption used.

What is an SSL Certificate Needed For?

The internet is no longer just used for information gathering; increasingly, important everyday transactions are conducted online. From simple shopping to submitting tax returns, more and more users are turning to the internet. When it comes to transmitting private or confidential data online, it is important to handle such data properly. SSL certificates can help reduce the risk of fraud or misuse. Companies with a Business Web Hosting should use an SSL certificate for sensitive data. Especially on online shops, auction sites, casinos, or betting sites where users provide account or credit card information to pay for services or products, an encrypted connection should be in place. Confidential handling of transmitted data is crucial, especially for services like online banking.

SSL certificates also help protect users from common internet phishing attacks. These attacks involve a seemingly legitimate website pretending to be an official platform of a trustworthy entity, but in reality, it belongs to a fraudster seeking confidential data. SSL certificates with identity verification help users immediately recognize that they are on the authentic website.

When using public Wi-Fi networks in hotels, restaurants, airports, or train stations, data transmission between the user's computer and the server via SSL encryption enhances security. In the case of unencrypted data transmission, data can be intercepted by any participant on the network.

What Types of SSL Certificates Are There?

The SSL certificates are issued by specially authorized certification authorities (CAs) such as Thawte, VeriSign, or Comodo. The providers in our comparison now offer a variety of SSL certificates from these certification authorities. Depending on the purpose and personal requirements, different certificates are suitable for use on your own web hosting or server. In general, the following types of certificates can be distinguished:

SSL Certificates with Domain Validation

With the cheap SSL certificates with domain validation, only the domain is mentioned in the certificate, and extensive identity verification is not performed. In an automated process, the address from the WHOIS data of the website or another appropriate administrative contact is verified via email. If this is valid, the domain receives the certificate. This quick and cost-effective option is especially suitable for certifying websites that have no public relevance, such as private blogs or small online shops, as well as administrative user access such as for management interfaces like Confixx or Plesk. Depending on the SSL certificate provider used, differences in browser or mobile operating system compatibility may occur. SSL certificate providers usually provide webmasters with a graphic called SiteSeal, which informs site visitors about the use of SSL encryption and authentication by a certification authority but does not perform dynamic real-time verification.

SSL Certificates with Identity Validation

When it comes to an SSL certificate with identity certification, it is an organization-validated SSL certificate that authenticates both the domain and its owner. The necessary documents required to authenticate the owner are requested by the certification authority and then compared with the WHOIS information of the website. Additionally, further verification can be done through a phone call. This type of certification is particularly recommended for publicly relevant websites, such as large companies, extensive online shops, or providers of sensitive items or services, to gain the trust of site users. Depending on the certificate provider, there may be differences in browser and system compatibility. SSL certificate providers offer webmasters a TrustLogo for the website, which is a graphic that, upon user interaction, verifies the complete information of the certificate holder in real-time.

A special variant of the organization-validated SSL certificate is the Extended Validation certificate. To obtain this certificate, the applicant must undergo a significantly more extensive examination and incur accordingly higher costs. The certificate can only be issued to natural persons registered in a public online register, such as the online trade register. In current browsers, the address bar is highlighted in green in areas where the owner's information is located, providing a particularly high level of trust and is therefore mainly used for websites of banks and authorities.

Advantages of SSL Certificates at a Glance:

• Highest data security through 128-bit and 256-bit encryption technology
• Increased customer trust
• Secure handling of payments
• Secure transmission of sensitive data

If your web projects involve confidential or sensitive customer data, then there is no way around the right SSL certificate. Additionally, using such a certificate also helps you gain the trust of website visitors and thus acquire new customers. In the list above, you will find an overview of SSL certificate providers from our comparison.