SSL stands for ‘Secure Socket Layer’ and is a method for providing privacy, authentication and integrity to communications over the internet. A SSL certificate works like an ID badge, providing verification that the website you are visiting is actually the website you can see.
When browsing the internet, you will notice that a full website address will start either: ‘http://’ or ‘https://’.
- Websites that begin ‘http://’ send their information from the server the webpage is saved on to your device in an un-encrypted form – i.e. if intercepted, the information can be seen and changed by the person who intercepted it.
- Websites that begin ‘https://’ send their information in an encrypted format, so if intercepted before reaching your device, the information is in an unreadable and unusable format so can not be changed before arriving at your device.
If you wish to learn more about SSL and how encryption works, click here!
WierdCheesecake Website Design’s server (location where all our information and websites are stored) automatically creates these SSL certificates, ensuring they remain up-to-date.
If you have opted to manage the renewal of domains linked to your website, you may receive status emails regarding SSL certificates on these domains. Each domain registrar has their own procedure on automatic SSL certificate generation/renewal. Our chosen domain registrar, Gandi.Net, provides a free SSL certificate for the first year after domain purchase. After this time, the certificate will automatically deactivate. This should not affect your website hosted with us and these emails can be safely deleted.
