WHO NEEDS AN SSL CERTIFICATE AND WHAT HE REQUIRES TO DO

SSL certificate is required when a website needs to accept or process an information sensitive in nature such as credit card number for online payment. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encrypts the data shared between the users? computer and server for the purpose of safety.

Spending on SSL certificates can range from little to very high depending upon the grade of SSL certificates you want. You may want to have a stricter security for your information, but that would cost you higher. Most applications are passed for certificates costing just about $100 or less per year. However, if you are accepting credit card payments directly from the server, you need to approach your bank or credit card payment gateway to determine their requirements. They may be strict.

                                                       

Requirements for an SSL Certificate:

Server requirements: A server capable to establish secure connections. No worries there as most do!

Dedicated IP address: A dedicated (unique) IP address would be needed. However, you need to ask you hosting company for it if you are on a shared hosting plan as SSL Certificate sharing is a requisite to install an SSL Certificate on a shared IP. Again nothing to worry as some hosting companies do have provision to do that for free or just for a small fee!

Buying a certificate needs you to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). If it is for the first time that you are having an SSL Certificate on your site, you may first have to generate a ?Key.? Both the functions are done from your server?s control panel.