Difference between revisions of "SSL FAQs"

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==What is the cost of installing the SSL Certificate?==
 
==What is the cost of installing the SSL Certificate?==
Outside the cost of an SSL Certificate, installing the SSL Certificate on our server is free.
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Outside the cost of the SSL Certificate, installing the SSL Certificate on our server is free.
  
 
==How do I get the SSL Certificate installed on my website?==
 
==How do I get the SSL Certificate installed on my website?==

Revision as of 18:48, 8 November 2016


What is SSL?

SSL (Secure Socket Layer), commonly known as HTTPS, is a communication method for the internet which protects website visitors’ information from being stolen or modified while it is being sent from their computer to a website. This is done by verifying the server identity and encrypting the data.

Who can get SSL?

This is available for all customer websites - both SmartCMS sites and non-SCMS sites.

Why would I want SSL?

SSL gives consumers confidence that sensitive information like their credit card numbers will not be intercepted. Having an SSL certificate for your domain also has benefits in relation to search engine optimization and general consumer trust. In addition, beginning in January 2017 Google will be releasing Chrome version 56 which will alert users when they are on webpages that collects either credit card numbers or passwords that are not served over SSL. Eventually, Google will have a strong warning for all webpages not using the HTTPS protocol.

Where do I get an SSL Certificate?

Your association will need to purchase an SSL Certificate from a Certifying Authority, or ‘CA’. There are many CA’s on the web and prices for SSL Certificates vary. Once purchased, you will need to ask the CA for the SSL Certificate file which will be installed on our server by MicroNet.

What certificate options do I need to look for?

SmartCMS customers will need an SSL certificate for a single domain (i.e. your main domain). Customers not using SmartCMS will need either a wildcard certificate or two single domain certificates, one for your sub-domain and one for your main domain.

The level of validation offered with SSL certificates (Extended, Domain and Organization validation) is not critical to our configuration but is up to you and your web master to determine what validation level you wish to provide your website visitors.

What is the cost of installing the SSL Certificate?

Outside the cost of the SSL Certificate, installing the SSL Certificate on our server is free.

How do I get the SSL Certificate installed on my website?

You can email your SSL Certificate file to support@micronetonline.com Your MicroNet contact will work with you on getting SSL in place for your website.

Once the SSL Certificate is installed, a security ‘lock’ icon is visible on popular website browsers, indicating the SSL Certificate is in place and the website is secure.

Noteworthy Information

  • The implementation of SSL on our servers uses a technology called Server Name Identification (SNI) which is not supported by older web browsers such as Internet Explorer version 7 and older, or for any users of IE that have the Windows XP operating system.
  • SSL is designed to protect only info in transit, not to be confused with protection for the server where the website is hosted.
  • Particularly sensitive information such as credit card information being sent from your website to our server is already secured on the ChamberMaster / MemberZone servers. Having an SSL certificate for your domain will secure ALL information (not just the sensitive information) while it is being sent to our server.
  • If you purchase the eCommerce module, we strongly recommend purchasing an SSL Certificate, which will secure all information (not just sensitive information). The security 'lock' will appear in main browsers for all pages, indicating a secure site to the consumer.