What is an SSL certificate?

Before starting

When a site starts with https and not only http, this means that the site has an SSL certificate in force. 

The SSL certificate is a protocol (or set of rules for establishing communication) for securing Internet exchanges. It's a layer on top of an existing protocol (http), but applicable to other protocols (e.g. email).

In this article, we will dig a bit more into what is an SSL certificate.

The SSL certificate

The SSL certificate acts as a link between a web server and an organization's or individual's platform, encrypting information exchanges. Installed on a server, the certificate activates the padlock and the "https" protocol in your web browser to enable proper encryption and protection between the server and the platform.

This SSL protocol is overwhelmingly used to protect and secure information transmitted during banking transactions, data transfer (e-mail attachments, for example) and when logging on to your account (login, password and personal data).

When you create your website, you request hosting from a web service called a "Registrar", which manages domain names (OVH, 1&1, Gandi etc.). These companies install the SSL certificate directly. However, it's important to check that your settings allow this SSL protocol to be applied.