6 Common Myths About SSL Certificates

In today’s article, we’ll discuss the myths about SSL certificates and the facts behind it so you can have a safer website. Average human beings are skeptical of trying anything new. The uncertain intimidates them. The comfort of the known cajoles them. When they are forced to try something new, they tend to cling on to myths to avoid the decision. This fixed mindset of sticking to the old and not trying out new things for the better can do more harm than good.

Like the myths surrounding SSL certificates. Buying a cheap SSL certificates make the web a safer place. But, there are several countless myths surrounding them that keeps their adoption rates lower than what they actually could be.

These myths must be burst and the fact brought out. That forms the premise of this blog. We discuss in detail the many myths surrounding SSL certificates and the facts behind them.

Myth: HTTPS slows down a website

Fact: HTTPS is efficient than HTTP

Page loading speed is a critical concern for web admins for several reasons. The slow page loading speed can affect user experience as well as have a detrimental effect on page ranking in search engine page results.

HTTPS websites have to encrypt data before sending it or receiving it. This is definitely one step more than what HTTP websites have to do. However, if the SSL certificate configuration is done properly, the page speed would actually increase than decrease. There is also the added benefit of having a secure website. To sum it up, HTTPs is certainly more efficient than HTTP.

Myth: SSL Certificates are expensive

Fact: SSL certificate is like health insurance

You have to shell out anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars to purchase an SSL certificate. The few hundred dollars costing SSL certificates are high-end certificates that secure websites and their several subdomains with extended validation. Their benefits like enhanced customer trust, PCI compliance, SEO advantage, all outweigh the cost barrier. Also, buying an SSL certificate is more like taking health insurance. It is better to invest in moderately-priced insurance periodically than pay for hefty damages later.

Myth: Every HTTPS Site Needs to Have Its Own IP Address

Fact: You can have any number of subdomains as you wish

Based on the number of domains they secure, there are two types of SSL certificates — single domain and multi-domain SSL certificates. Single domain certificates, as the name suggests secure only one domain for which they are bought. Multi-domain certificates, on the other hand, are capable of securing any number of domains and subdomains under them. So, it is not necessary that every HTTPS website must have its own IP address. It can have many subdomains with multiple IP addresses secure with the same SSL certificate.

Myth: SSL Certificate installation or migration is cumbersome

Fact: It is complex, but you have to do it just once

Let’s face it. You are setting up something that is meant to protect your website from all novel ways of cybersecurity attacks for a considerable period of time. Now, if you can install such a security mechanism without much ado, then something is amiss with it. An elaborate process ensures that we do not miss any setting on the process.

Moreover, SSL certificate installation process is a complex one, but not something that will keep you tied for hours or days long. It is something which you will have to do with a keen focus and maybe with the help of an expert. Like life, if you install an SSL certificate once, you won’t have to do it again.

Myth: All SSL certificates are the same

Fact: Security levels differ with SSL certificate type

Like domain-based SSL certificates, there are also several other types of certificates. The chief of them is validation-based SSL certificates. SSL validation is provided by Certificate Authorities — the issuers of SSL certificates. They provide validation at various levels, namely organization validation, domain validation, and extended validation.

Organization validation (OV) vets the background information of the certificate applicant at the organization level, while domain validation (DV) does it at the website domain level. Extended validation is the supreme validation available which checks the complete background information of the applicant, their domain ownership and business location before issuing the SSL certificate. In other words, not all SSL certificates are the same. They could be OV, DV or EV with varying levels of validation and security.

Myth: It is OK not to have an SSL certificate

Fact: SSL certificate is necessary to avoid blacklisting

Single page websites of bloggers or multi-vendor eCommerce stores, every type of website needs an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate is the basic form of cybersecurity defense. However, it is fundamental nature does not mean it is devoid of advanced benefits.

An SSL certificate can bring several benefits like better SEO ranking and whitelisting in web browsers. For instance, Google Chrome had started labeling HTTP websites as ‘Not secure’ since 2018. However, with an SSL certificate, the ‘Not secure’ tag will not appear. The website will be secure and will have a better time spent on the website and higher conversions.

In summary

SSL certificates are no longer good-to-have options for websites, but mandatory security mechanisms. They help website owners secure their website data as well as give customers the confidence that they are dealing with a secure website. For every myth in this world, there is a fact that speaks the truth. The same goes for SSL certificates as well. There are myths and then there are facts. Know the facts so that you no longer have to shy away from investing in an SSL certificate that can safeguard your website.