Websites that allow you to do business and interact with others can raise questions about how secure the interactions are.

Web browsers and web servers have been designed to allow improved security to be turned on when required, such as when credit card details are being entered, or confidential information is being saved online.

The critical feature that drives this secure interaction is called digital certificates, also known as SSL certificates.  They allow your web browser to validate that the website you are viewing is secured.  There are two tell-tale signs to look for when you are viewing a secured site:

1. The website location will have a https:// at the beginning instead of just http://.  Note the additional "s" after the http, indicating that you are viewing a secured site.
2. Your web browser will show a locked padlock icon (or similar) in the bottom right hand corner.

Different quality SSL certificates can be purchased to secure your website, with the differences relating to the brand of the certificate provider (does your website visitor recognise the brand of the certificate provider, such as Verisign or RapidSSL), signing (the ability to include signage on your website that validates your certificate), and warranty coverage (insurance should someone crack the security).

Here is a good thread explaining the differences between SSL certificates: 

http://www.webhostingtalk.com.au/showthread.php?t=4715  

CoMoDo (a seller of certificates) has a good site for getting educated on the difference between SSL certificates:

http://www.instantssl.com/  

Certificates are purchased on a renewable basis, just like domain names.  If you are taking credit card payments on your site, or exchanging confidential or private information, then you should budget for a SSL certificate in your annual running costs.

Thanks,
Brett

www.roarz.com  Phone: 1300 885 125  Fax: 07 3009 0648  PO Box 1091 Capalaba Qld 4157 ROARZ emphasizes keeping websites proactively up-to-date and integrated with marketing, sales, and customer service activities.  When combined with our rich web-based application suite this delivers customer convenience and staff efficiency outcomes.

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