Many companies toy with the idea of a self-signed SSL Certificate instead of using a verified Certificate Authority due to the price difference. However, most do not realise any respectful hosting provider would not charge extortionate prices for a monthly SSL deal. A self-signed certificate is free, therefore is tempting when you do not know why you need to have an appropriately authorised certificate. Although cheaper short term, long term they will result in higher fees to pay as the risk of sensitive information breaches increases.
A self-signed SSL will encrypt customers personal data but will display a security alert to users because it has not been verified by a trusted authority. These alerts often advise the visitor to leave the browsing page in order to protect them. Visitors leaving your website is NOT ideal, you want them to spend as much time as possible on your site and then make a purchase or enquiry. By having security alerts popping up left, right and centre you will tarnish brand identity, discourage users from visiting again or generally position your business as an untrustworthy company.
Did you know a self-signed SSL certified website is more likely to fall victim to hackers? Because you are not a HTTPS website, your website is not properly protected from attackers. A properly authorised website will be very hard for hackers to get in to. They also provide an extra security layer as they have an encrypted message which is meaningless and useless to hackers even if they are able to decipher a message. It is illegible as it is a combination of randoms hashes- a victory for HTTPS websites!
If you would like to know more about SSL Certificates, please do not hesitate to contact us- Give us a call on 01702 410663 or email us at info@07hm.co.uk today.
For further insights and guidance, we invite you to explore our blog at 07hm.co.uk/blog. Here, you’ll find a wealth of information tailored to the needs and challenges of SMEs navigating the digital landscape. Additionally, if you have specific questions or need personalised advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via email at info@07hm.co.uk or telephone on 01702 410663.
