It is clear on the internet you can tour through millions of websites. However, not of all sites that you will come across on the internet are secure and finding secure websites poses an evaluation challenge.
If you are owning a site or if your visiting any site, you have to check that it has a valid SSL certificate. There are many SSL certificates, one good example is wildcard certificate SSL. However, for such certificate how can you check if it is valid?
Website security can be checked through examination of the SSL certificate displayed on the site. SSL represents Secure Sockets Layer while this technology encrypts all data which moves between user computers and website servers. An encryption system protects essential data such as passwords and credit card numbers from being stolen by hackers.
The validity of SSL certificates can be checked through several methods.
- Look at address bar for a padlock
Users can check SSL validity by examining the address bar within their web browser. A padlock symbol should appear next to your website URL when you visit a site with a valid SSL certificate. The padlock icon leads to a display of certificate information which includes both the issuing authority and expiration date. The website security becomes questionable when the certificate shows an expired date or comes from an unreliable authority.
- Use an online SSL checker tool
An SSL certificate’s validity can be verified through the use of online SSL checker tools. Online tools analyse SSL certificates of websites to show their validity status. Enter the website URL into the tool for it to verify the certificate’s validity status. The tools will furnish supplemental certificate information including encryption power alongside the certificate-issuing organization.
- Check the expiry date
The expiry date can be used to tell if that SSL certificate is valid or not. Each certificate comes with an expiry date which should be renewed. Using an expired certificate is equally to just using none.
Why is it important to check the SSL certificate validity?
Users must verify SSL certificate validity before they provide sensitive information on any website. An invalid SSL certificate warns users that their computer-server data transmission lacks encryption thus making it vulnerable to hacker interception. Security breaches alongside identity theft and financial fraud become possible when an SSL certificate is invalid.
A website’s security status depends on checking the SSL certificate validity while searching for additional security indicators. A secure website shows its security status through URLs beginning with “https://” rather than “http://”. The “s” in the URL signals “secure” website communication because the website has installed encryption protection. The presence of additional security indicators such as privacy policy and company contact information and physical address should also be checked to verify trustworthiness.
It is safer to refrain from sharing sensitive information when you doubt the authenticity of an SSL certificate on a website. Search for different websites that demonstrate valid SSL certificates alongside established security protocols. Contact the website’s customer support to gain information about their security practices and SSL certificate verification status.
Conclusion
Verifying SSL certificate validity constitutes a vital part to protect your online transactions and maintain your data security. You can confirm website safety by checking for a padlock icon in your browser along with using SSL checker tools and observing trust indicators. When uncertain about sharing sensitive information it’s better to avoid such sites and search for alternative websites which display valid SSL certificates. Your vigilance coupled with knowledge allows you to defend yourself against security threats that exist on the internet.