If you want your employees to surf the web safely, limit their access to websites with a valid SSL certificate. SSL certification is generally widely accepted as proof that a website is safe and trustworthy, but is this true? Yes, many people believe that it is secure to visit if a website has an SSL Certificate. Just because a website has a certification or starts with HTTPS does not imply it is safe and secure. It just indicates that the site is most likely secure. The sites will be in the great majority of instances. Not all of the time, though. Restricting access to insecure websites is a good idea, but if you want to ensure that your employees and network are adequately protected, you will need to take more precautions.

What is an SSL certificate?

Websites employ SSL certificates to encrypt web browser sessions. An SSL Certificate is a file that always binds a key to a business’s website. Connections to a company’s website will be secure once an SSL certificate is deployed on the webserver. The SSL Certificate assures website visitors that the site is secure and identifies the site’s owner. The existence of a security device following the web address indicates that the website has an SSL certificate. This implies that you are using a secure connection to reach that website. When you connect to a website, the information you input is safe to use, indicating that the site is not harmful. If a website does not contain a proper SSL certificate, never enter credit card information or bank information. Taking such a risk would be unacceptably dangerous.

Some phishing websites have obtained SSL Certificates:

• What makes you think this is possible? SSL certificates for websites are unfortunately becoming increasingly popular. Many certificate authorities do not have a rigorous screening procedure. A number of financial websites have lately been set up that utilize the certificates, even though the sites are not legitimate. The certificates are long enough to be used in a phishing campaign. The phisher can then repeat the operation with a different website hosting a different provider and an SSL certificate.
• Unfortunately, one of the most common methods of determining whether or not a website can be trusted is using certificates. Many visitors will be deceived into thinking the website is legitimate if the domain name is similar enough to the real thing and there is an SSL Certificate. The site owner will record their login details, which can then be used to log on to the genuine website.
• Some certificate authority is better than others and can be trusted more, but the SSL certificate is meaningless unless everybody can trust it. Unfortunately, the SSL certificate only verifies that the certificate owner owns the website, not that the website itself is trustworthy.

Access to websites that do not include a valid SSL certificate is being blocked:

• A website with the right SSL certificate is more trustworthy than one that does not. All businesses should implement restrictions that block access to websites that do not have a valid SSL certificate. Or, at the very least, create settings that warn users when they will connect to a website that has an invalid certificate or no certificate at all.
• Blocking entry to websites without a proper SSL certificate is a simple procedure. You can modify the host’s file or change your browser settings. This is not a viable option if you have 1,000 machines and employ numerous browsers installed on your end-users. Individuals or small enterprises with only a few computers might benefit from the first choice.

Implementing a low-cost web filtering system will make your life easier:

Using a web filtering application is by far the most convenient way to protect yourself and your network. There are several options, Technologies which is the best and most cost-effective. End-users may be unable to identify whether they are secure or at risk because some shady websites employ SSL certificates.

The best SSL certificate provider offers the extra security your company requires to prevent malware downloads, phishing scams, and access to harmful websites. Without a robust web filter in place, blocking access to harmful websites will be an uphill battle, and it will only be a matter of time before your network is hacked.

Why you need an SSL certificate:

SSL certificates are required for websites in order to protect user data, verify ownership, prevent attackers from building a false version of the site, and convey trust to users. It is critical to keep data secret if a website asks users to sign in, submit personal information such as credit card numbers, or read confidential information such as health benefits or financial data. SSL certificates help to keep online interactions private by assuring consumers that the website they are visiting is legitimate and safe to exchange personal information with. Furthermore, an SSL certificate ensures client protection and encourages users to spend more time on your site.

Final verdict:

Finally, having an SSL certificate for your website is more necessary than ever in the modern world of online shopping, online invoicing, contact forms, and everyday hackers. SSL Certificates serve as a visual indicator that your website, and more crucially, your business, is legitimate, safe, and trustworthy while sensitive or non-sensitive information is transferred through cyberspace.