What is an SSL Certificate?
Quite simply, an SSL Certificate is a small data file that digitally binds a cryptographic key to your organization’s details, typically:

An organization needs to install the SSL Certificate onto its web server to initiate secure sessions with browsers. Depending on the type of SSL Certificate applied for, the organization will need to go through differing levels of vetting. Once installed, it is possible to connect to the website over https://www.domain.com, as this tells the server to establish a secure connection with the browser. Once a secure connection is established all web traffic between the web server and the web browser will be secure.

To view an SSL Certificate click on the left and select View Certificate that fits your requirements. All browsers are slightly different, but the Certificate always contains the same information.

What is encryption and why are there different levels?

Encryption is a mathematical process of coding and decoding information. The number of bits (40-bit, 56-bit, 128-bit, 256-bit) tells you the size of the key. Like a longer password, a larger key has more possible combinations. When an encrypted session is established, the encryption level is determined by the capability of the web browser, SSL certificate, web server, and client computer operating system.

• Your domain name, server name or hostname
• Your company name and location
• In certain cases your organizational contact detail