{"id":85999,"date":"2026-06-11T13:53:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T20:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics-10\/what-is-ssl-certificate"},"modified":"2026-06-11T13:54:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T20:54:46","slug":"what-is-ssl-certificate","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics\/what-is-ssl-certificate","title":{"rendered":"What is SSL certificate"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes hero-banner-v2 layout-2\" id=\"hero-banner-v2-af1a158e-b69a-4247-8d2d-65b57fab8260\">\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-banner-v2-main\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-banner-v2__content\">\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"container\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-banner-v2__stack\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"heading-text\">What is SSL certificate<\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desc-text\">SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that enables secure communication between a website and its visitors. You should make sure that the website is the SSL website before clicking on it. If you&#8217;re not sure if a website is legit, use Malwarebytes Scam Guard. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hero-banner-v2__actions\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hero-banner-v2__button hero-banner-v2__button--primary download-btn-one btn-main btn-primary-white\"><a href=\"\/solutions\/scam-guard\">Scam Guard<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\t\t<h2 id=\"h-key-takeaways\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key takeaways<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>An SSL certificate verifies a website\u2019s identity<\/strong> and helps users know they are communicating with the legitimate website rather than an imposter. <\/li><li><strong>SSL enables encrypted communication<\/strong> between a user&#8217;s browser and a website, protecting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics\/pii\">sensitive information<\/a> such as passwords, payment details, and personal data from interception. <\/li><li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/zero-day\">HTTPS<\/a> depends on SSL\/TLS certificates.<\/strong> When you see the padlock icon and &#8220;https:\/\/&#8221; in a browser, it indicates that the website is using encryption and a valid certificate. <\/li><li><strong>SSL certificates build trust.<\/strong> They reassure visitors that a website is authentic and that information shared on the site is protected. <\/li><li><strong>TL;DR:<\/strong> SSL certificates provide website authentication and encryption, making them a foundational security technology for protecting online communications and building user trust. <\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"h-what-is-an-ssl-certificate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:54px\">What is an SSL certificate?<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that enables secure communication between a website and its visitors. It is used to encrypt the data exchanged between the website and the user&#8217;s browser, thereby protecting it from unauthorized access. SSL stands for&nbsp;<strong>Secure Sockets Layer<\/strong>.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate is a digital certificate issued by Certificate Authorities (CA) to websites, authenticating their identity and enabling a secure connection between web pages and web browsers. SSL certificates inspire trust on the Internet because they show Internet users that the traffic between their web browser and a website is encrypted.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This secure connection is indicated by a padlock icon in the browser&#8217;s address bar and the &#8220;https&#8221; protocol in the website&#8217;s URL. SSL certificates are essential for online transactions, such as e-commerce purchases, as they ensure that sensitive information, such as credit card details, is transmitted securely. There is a danger of SSL certificates creating a false sense of security, though, as malicious websites can also get SSL certificates. For example, there\u2019s been a rise in phishing websites that have been granted Domain Validated (DV) certificates from authorities that don\u2019t moderate what sites get certificates. Additionally, SSL certificates can\u2019t shield websites from malicious attacks like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/sql-injection\">SQL injection<\/a> or malware.&nbsp;<\/p><h2 id=\"how-it-works\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does an SSL certificate work?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate works by using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threatdown.com\/blog\/encryption-101-how-to-break-encryption\/\">encryption<\/a> algorithms to encrypt the data exchanged between a web browser and a website.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the data is encrypted, it\u2019s almost impossible for a threat actor to read. Examples of data include passwords, names, and financial information.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the five-step process of how an SSL certificate works:<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A browser attempts to connect to a website with an SSL certificate.<\/li><li>The website\u2019s server sends a copy of its SSL certificate to the browser for validation. The website\u2019s public key on the certificate will help encrypt data during the session.<\/li><li>The browser validates the certificate to ensure it\u2019s authentic, unrevoked, and unexpired. After validation, the browser uses the server\u2019s public key to create an encrypted symmetric key and sends it to the server.<\/li><li>The server uses its private key to decrypt the symmetric session key. It indicates that it\u2019s ready to start an encryption session by sending back an acknowledgement encrypted with the session key.<\/li><li>The browser and website now establish a secure and encrypted connection with the session key.<\/li><\/ol><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entire process is also called an SSL handshake and is almost instantaneous. After the SSL certificate secures the connection:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A padlock icon appears on the address bar of the browser right before the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/blog\/news\/2023\/08\/phishing-campaigns-found-to-be-using-amp-urls-to-avoid-detection\">URL<\/a>.<\/li><li>The URL is preceded by the HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) acronym.<\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do SSL certificates include?<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><b>Domain name: <\/b>The domain name or names the SSL certificate is valid for.<\/li><li><b>Issue details:<\/b> The device or person the SSL certificate was issued to and the certificate authority that issued it.<\/li><li><b>Digital signature:<\/b> The digital signature that verifies the authenticity of the certificate.<\/li><li><b>Dates:<\/b> The issue and expiration date of the certificate.<\/li><li><b>Public key:<\/b> An SSL certificate includes a public key while the private key is kept private.<\/li><\/ul><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is an SSL certificate used for?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate is used to create a secure connection between a browser and a website. The certificate helps protect any data exchange between a device and a website\u2019s server. In addition to encrypting connections, SSL certificates help protect the security of website users. Moreover, an SSL certificate helps develop confidence in a website.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why do I need an SSL certificate for my website?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate should never be considered to be the <em>only<\/em> tool for website cybersecurity. Nonetheless, you need an SSL certificate for your website for the following reasons:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><b>Data protection<\/b>: An SSL encryption helps secure the data exchanged between your website and your visitors from cybercriminals. Not only is this good for business, but it can help your online platform comply with privacy laws.<\/li><li><b>Trust<\/b>: The average Internet user will feel more confident browsing your website, knowing that the padlock sign and the HTTPS acronym signify a secure connection.<\/li><li><b>SEO<\/b>: Websites with SSL certificates rank higher in search engines as they are perceived as secure. In fact, some browsers even flag http website and warn users to not visit such as site, as it is not secure.<\/li><\/ul><h2 id=\"types\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of SSL certificates&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your website can obtain several different types of SSL certificates. Each certificate has its own strengths, verification processes, and costs.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Domain Validated (DV) certificates&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DV certificates tend to be more cost-effective than EV or OV SSL certificates. While they\u2019re usually the least expensive, they only provide basic verification. DV certificates are typically used by low-risk websites, such as message boards or blog pages.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Extended Validation (EV) certificates&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An extended validation certificate involves the highest level of validation and is usually the priciest kind of SSL certificate. Renowned websites that offer online shopping or e-commerce usually use this type of certificate. In addition to the padlock sign, an EV SSL certificate shows an organization\u2019s name and country in the address bar.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Organization Validated (OV) certificates&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like EV certificates, OV certificates provide a higher level of validation compared to DV SSL certificates. OV certificates also display a website owner\u2019s information in the address bar.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wildcard SSL certificates&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Wildcard SSL certificate secures a primary domain and an unlimited number of subdomains on one certificate. Companies with multiple subdomains under a single domain tend to obtain this type of certificate to reduce costs.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Multi-Domain SSL certificates&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Multi-domain SSL certificates go a step further than Wildcard SSL certificates. They allow a single certificate to secure many domains and subdomains. These types of certificates are best for organizations with multiple websites.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Purchasing SSL certificate: How to purchase an SSL certificate&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by researching different SSL certificates and picking the one that matches your needs. For example, if you have a single domain with many subdomains, you may need a Wildcard SSL certificate. Alternatively, you can settle for a DV certificate for your personal page.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After picking your certificate type, shop for your certificate by checking a Certificate Authority (CA) list. The certificates from Certificate Authorities vary by price. While some certificates are free, others can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prepare your server to ensure your WHOIS record matches your application to your CA. Next, you\u2019ll need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). Your CSR will carry your data and your public key. After submitting your CSR to your CA, you may need to provide other documentation, such as proof of ownership of your domain.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After receiving the certificate files, you can install your SSL. The process depends on your server type. Get in touch with your website provider for help if you need it. Later, you\u2019ll need to configure your website to use HTTPS. You can use an SSL checker to ensure that your certificate is authentic and installed correctly.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Renewing SSL certificate: How to renew an SSL certificate<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificates have an expiry date. Plan ahead to ensure your SSL renewal is on time. If you delay your renewal, your website may lose its trust seal.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The process of renewing an SSL certificate is similar to purchasing a new one. You\u2019ll need to generate a new CSR and submit it to your CA. You\u2019ll also need to install the updated SSL certificate files on your server like before and ensure that your certificate is correctly installed with an SSL checker.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SSL certificate pricing: How much is an SSL certificate?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificates vary significantly in pricing. While some SSL certificates can be obtained for free, enterprise-level SSL certificates can cost thousands of dollars a year. The cost of an SSL certificate is impacted by the number of domains and subdomains, the type of certificate, the level of security, and the reputation of the Certificate Authority (CA).<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">TLS vs SSL certificate: The difference between TLS vs. SSL&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TSL (Transport Layer Security) are both cryptographic protocols, TLS is the updated version. TLS is considered to be more secure and modern with a better TLS handshake. TLS is also backward compatible and can connect to an SSL server.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The terms \u201cSSL\u201d and \u201cTLS\u201d are often used interchangeably on the Internet, even though the latter is a replacement for the former. Many certificate issuers even refer to their TLS certificates as SSL certificates.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to check if a site has an SSL certificate&nbsp;<\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">https:\/\/&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check if the address of the website starts with the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/glossary\/hyper-text-transfer-protocol-secure-https\">HTTPS<\/a>\u201d acronym. HTTPS is short for Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol Secure.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Padlock icon&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A website with an SSL certificate should have a padlock sign on the address bar. You can click the padlock sign to learn more about the SSL issuing authority, expiration date, and website owner.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Green address bar&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The green address bar was an SSL indicator for websites with EV SSL certificates. However, major browser developers like Apple and Google consider it to be obsolete now.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some websites and browser extensions can verify if a website has a valid SSL certificate. For example, you can enter the URL of a website in SSL Shopper\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sslshopper.com\/ssl-checker.html\">SSL Checker<\/a>\u00a0 to learn about its certification.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is an SSL certificate error?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate error can occur when there\u2019s an issue with a website\u2019s certificate. An SSL certificate error can occur for multiple reasons. While some errors can be due to innocuous reasons, others can be due to malicious factors. It\u2019s best to proceed with caution when opening a website that presents an SSL certificate error.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expired SSL certificate&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned, SSL certificates have expiry dates. Sometimes, website owners may forget to renew their SSL certificate. An expired SSL certificate will cause your browser to display an error message.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SSL certificate not trusted&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every browser can access a list of trusted SSL certificate providers. Your browser may tell you that a website\u2019s SSL certificate is not to be trusted if the website\u2019s issuing authority is not on the list or is suspect. For example, you may see an error if the certificate was self-signed or obtained from a fraudulent issuer.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SSL Misconfigured<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After obtaining an SSL certificate, a website owner must install and configure it correctly. A misconfigured SSL certificate can result in an error for the website.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Name mismatch&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificates are issued to specific domains and subdomains. A mismatch in the records will force a browser to display an error message.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SSL certificate revoked&nbsp;<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificate issuers may revoke a certificate before its expiry date if its private key was compromised or if the domain is closed. A website may also request that its certificate be revoked. Regardless of why the SSL certificate was revoked, it will result in an error.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are SSL certificates free?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While not all SSL certificates are free, some are indeed free of cost. The free SSL certificates are usually Domain Validated (DV) certificates. They\u2019re best for personal pages or small businesses. Larger websites should obtain paid certificates that offer better security and more features than DV SSL certificates.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a website without SSL be hacked?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An SSL certificate only secures the connection between a user and a website. A website with or without SSL certification can be hacked in a number of ways. Threat actors can exploit security vulnerabilities, weak login credentials, poor coding, outdated software, and other means to hack a website.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Website hacking techniques include: <a href=\"\/sql-injection\">SQL Injection<\/a>, Cross-site scripting (XSS), <a href=\"\/cybersecurity\/basics\/brute-force-attack\" type=\"link\" id=\"\/cybersecurity\/basics\/brute-force-attack\">Brute force attacks<\/a> like this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/blog\/news\/2022\/06\/record-breaking-https-ddos-attack\">record breaking DDoS attack<\/a>, <a href=\"\/malware\">malware<\/a> drops and <a href=\"\/phishing\">phishing<\/a>. <\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long do SSL certificates last&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a time when SSL certificates could be issued with an expiration period of five years. However, this time period has been adjusted several times. Since late 2020, an SSL certificate can\u2019t be issued for more than 13 months.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Does an SSL certificate mean a website is safe to use?&nbsp;<\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although an SSL certificate means that your connection to a website is secure, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that the website is safe to use. For example, malicious websites can also obtain some types of SSL certificates, such as DV certificates.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While phishing websites can carry DV certifications, they\u2019re designed to steal confidential information such as names, addresses, passwords, and credit card information. Phishing websites may look legitimate but can have grammatical errors, low-quality graphics, poor design, or offers that appear too good to be true.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, threat actors can hack legitimate websites with SSL certificates by using different tools and exploitations.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some steps that can help you check a website\u2019s safety:<\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/browserguard\">Malwarebytes Browser Guard<\/a> to block web pages that contain malware, scams, and other malicious content.<\/li><li>Subscribe to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to encrypt your data and hide your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/what-is-ip-address\">IP address<\/a>. You can learn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/what-is-vpn\">how VPN works<\/a> to encrypt your data and mask your location.<\/li><li>Ensure that the website URL is correctly spelled. A phishing website with a basic SSL certificate impersonating Walmart.com may have a very similar address that only varies by one or two characters. For example, instead of Walmart.com, it may say Walmert.com or Walmrat.com.<\/li><li>Click on the padlock sign in the browser address bar to verify the identity of the website owner and check the certificate authority and expiration date.<\/li><li>Research the website\u2019s reputation with a website safety checker.<\/li><\/ul><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look for the padlock sign and the HTTPS acronym on the address bar to ensure that it has an SSL certificate. At the very least, a website with an SSL certificate offers an encrypted connection.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A hacked or phishing website can also infect your system with malware. Get<a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/malware\"> malware protection<\/a> to ensure your computers and devices are free of malicious software. Follow these<a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics\/internet-safety-tips\"> Internet safety tips<\/a> for more security for your browser.&nbsp;<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-group has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-401895f9 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#f1f2f3;padding-top:25px;padding-right:35px;padding-bottom:20px;padding-left:25px\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/what-is-an-ssid\"><span style=\"color: #337ab7;\" data=\"#337ab7\" class=\"qubely-text-has-color\">What is SSID?<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"pillar-banner wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/what-is-ip-address\"><span style=\"color: #337ab7;\" data=\"#337ab7\" class=\"qubely-text-has-color\">What is&nbsp;IP address<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"visible-md visible-lg wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics\/internet-safety-tips\"><span style=\"color: #337ab7;\" data=\"#337ab7\" class=\"qubely-text-has-color\">Internet safety tips<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"visible-md visible-lg wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/cybersecurity\/basics\/what-is-cyber-security\"><span style=\"color: #337ab7;\" data=\"#337ab7\" class=\"qubely-text-has-color\">What is cyber security<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"visible-md visible-lg wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.malwarebytes.com\/internet-security\"><span style=\"color: #337ab7;\" data=\"#337ab7\" class=\"qubely-text-has-color\">What is internet security<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq mb-faq\"><div class=\"container\"><h2>FAQs<\/h2><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item faq__expander\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>What is an SSL certificate?<\/strong><\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that enables secure communication between a website and its visitors. It is used to encrypt the data exchanged between the website and the user&#8217;s browser, thereby protecting it from unauthorized access.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party certificate authorities and contain information about the website owner, the validity of the certificate, and the encryption key used for secure communication. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, their browser verifies the certificate&#8217;s authenticity and establishes a secure connection with the website.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This secure connection is indicated by a padlock icon in the browser&#8217;s address bar and the &#8220;https&#8221; protocol in the website&#8217;s URL. SSL certificates are essential for online transactions, such as e-commerce purchases, as they ensure that sensitive information, such as credit card details, is transmitted securely.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>How does an SSL certificate work?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a browser connects to a website, the server sends its SSL certificate for validation, and the browser uses the server&#8217;s public key to create an encrypted session key. This process, called an SSL handshake, establishes a secure, encrypted connection almost instantly.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>What is the difference between SSL and TLS?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the updated, more secure replacement for SSL, though both terms are often used interchangeably online. Many certificate issuers still refer to their TLS certificates as SSL certificates.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>Does having an SSL certificate mean a website is safe?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not necessarily. While an SSL certificate encrypts the connection between a user and a website, malicious sites can also obtain certain SSL certificates, such as Domain Validated (DV) certificates. Phishing websites, for example, may carry DV certifications while still being designed to steal personal information.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>What are the main types of SSL certificates?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The main types are Domain Validated (DV), Organization Validated (OV), Extended Validation (EV), Wildcard, and Multi-Domain SSL certificates. Each differs in its level of verification, cost, and the number of domains or subdomains it covers.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>How much does an SSL certificate cost?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SSL certificate pricing varies widely, from free for basic DV certificates to thousands of dollars per year for enterprise-level certificates. The cost depends on the certificate type, level of security, number of domains covered, and the reputation of the Certificate Authority.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>What happens if an SSL certificate expires?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If an SSL certificate expires and is not renewed, browsers will display an error message warning visitors that the connection is not secure. Website owners should plan renewals in advance to avoid losing their site&#8217;s trust seal.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>Can a website with an SSL certificate still be hacked?<\/strong> <\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. An SSL certificate only secures the connection between a user and a website and does not protect against other attack methods. Threat actors can still exploit security vulnerabilities, weak passwords, outdated software, or techniques like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-malware-bytes-faq-item faq-item\"><div class=\"faq-item__header\"><span class=\"faq__expander\"><\/span><div class=\"faq-item__heading\"><h4><strong>How to know if a website is legit or scam?<\/strong><\/h4><\/div><\/div><div class=\"faq-item__answer\" style=\"display:none\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use <a href=\"\/solutions\/scam-guard\" type=\"link\" id=\"\/solutions\/scam-guard\">Malwarebytes Scam Guard<\/a> to run a check and verify if a website is legit or a fake phishing website created to lure you into giving your personal information.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key takeawaysWhat is an SSL certificate?An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that enables secure communication between a website and its&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":0,"parent":85970,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-seo-article.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","footnotes":""},"page_category":[],"class_list":["post-85999","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is an SSL Certificate &amp; How Does it Work?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SSL certificate enables secure communication between a website and its visitors. 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