Getting Secure Socket Layers (SSL) up and running for the first time can be a daunting task, although it shouldn't be. I think there is a real lack of general knowledge out there about Secure Socket Layers and how make use of secure communications within your site.
Secure Socket Layers works by encrypting data before it is sent back and forth across the internet. Only the recipient that has the "Key", which is essentialy a simple matrix of number to decode the message, can read it.
Although what's going on in the background may be complicated, pretty much all of the work is handled for you by the webserver.
There are many different Certificate Authorities (CA) out there. For the most part, a SSL certificate is an SSL certificate. What you pay for in price difference is name brand recognition. Some SSL CA vendors provide insurance against fraud, and may allow you to place an official seal on your website.
Pretty much all SSL certs nowadays are 128-bit encryption, and pretty much every modern browser supports 128-bit encryption. There are certificates called "Super Certificates" that will bump up a browsers encryption to 128 if it isn't capable, but this hasn't been an issue since about 2000. So in my opinion, these aren't worth the extra money.
Depending on what your selling online should dictate how much you spend on your SSL certificate. If your site is selling "big ticket" items such as TV's or expensive Jewelry, you will want to spend that extra money on a name brand certificate as users are likely to examine it. If, on the other hand, your selling simple T-shirts you probably don't need the expensive name brand.
Secure Socket Layers works by encrypting data before it is sent back and forth across the internet. Only the recipient that has the "Key", which is essentialy a simple matrix of number to decode the message, can read it.
Although what's going on in the background may be complicated, pretty much all of the work is handled for you by the webserver.
There are many different Certificate Authorities (CA) out there. For the most part, a SSL certificate is an SSL certificate. What you pay for in price difference is name brand recognition. Some SSL CA vendors provide insurance against fraud, and may allow you to place an official seal on your website.
Pretty much all SSL certs nowadays are 128-bit encryption, and pretty much every modern browser supports 128-bit encryption. There are certificates called "Super Certificates" that will bump up a browsers encryption to 128 if it isn't capable, but this hasn't been an issue since about 2000. So in my opinion, these aren't worth the extra money.
Depending on what your selling online should dictate how much you spend on your SSL certificate. If your site is selling "big ticket" items such as TV's or expensive Jewelry, you will want to spend that extra money on a name brand certificate as users are likely to examine it. If, on the other hand, your selling simple T-shirts you probably don't need the expensive name brand.