An SSL certificate allows a website to start a URL with https instead of http.  Adding the “s” on the end is very important to securing the information that is being sent between the user of the website and the server.  When an SSL certificate is purchased, you have to verify certain information about your company and your website.  The certificate then tells the user of your website that you are a legitimate business and you are who you say you are.  It gives the user confidence that they can put their personal information into your website, and it won’t be hijacked by shady characters along the way.

SSL certificates expire and must be renewed.  You can purchase certificates that are good for a year, 2 years, 3 years all the way up to 5 years.  Each time you renew the certificate, it must be reinstalled on the server, and the new expiration date will show on the certificate.  Next time you’re on a website that asks for personal information or you are purchasing something, look for the https in the URL and for the padlock symbol next to the URL as in the image below.  If it’s not there, don’t enter your personal details or purchase anything from that website.

Click on the padlock and view the certificate to view important information about it.  See the screen shot below for an example.