What is SSL?

SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. (That didn't help, did it?)

The Internet is not a secure place. Messages are traveling back and forth and somebody that is connected to the line can see what is passing by, even if it is not addressed to them. It would not be good if people could look at credit card information as it was passing by. SSL makes the information secure so anybody that gets it can not read it. Only the intended recipient can make any sense out of it.

At the bottom of your browser window is an SSL icon ( a key symbol for Netscape or a padlock for Internet Explorer). In Netscape, the key is normally broken, when you go secure, the key becomes whole. In Internet Explorer, the padlock is normally open, when you go secure, the lock is closed. This is how you can tell if you are in secure mode. Unfortunately, Secure mode is expensive and slower than regular mode, so it not the normal mode. 

If you are accepting credit card information over the Internet, you need SSL. If you have any information that you do not want outsiders to be able to read, you can use SSL. For example, people submitting timecard information, bids, quotes, and lots of other private communications.

Getting SSL involves three main security checks:

FIRST, the company issuing the SSL key is certifying to the world that they have checked out the SSL key holder and the SSL key holder is a legitimate business or entity. They will check your Dunn and Bradstreet, verify your name and address, check owners names and officers names, check your domain name, and will probably call your company to make sure you are who you claim to be. If they are not satisfied, they will ask for additional information until they are convinced. They may ask for copies of your business name records, corporation information, etc. Normally, if you have a dunn's record, things will proceed OK. If you are a new company or do not have a Dunn's number, they may ask for a lot of documentation and it may take a while.


SECOND, the company issuing the SSL key is guaranteeing that the web site is the real web site for this business and not an imposter web site. They check that the domain name is being converted to the correct number address, and other things that they do not reveal to the public.

When someone goes into secure mode, the web site and the customers web browser exchange information. The web site gives the customers web browser information that identifies the web site. The customers web browser contacts the SSL company and asks it to verify that this is the right web site. The SSL company checks out the secret codes and answers yes or no. If the SSL company responds that this is the real web site for this domain name, then the customers web browser goes into secure mode and trusts the conversation between the two computers.



THIRD, once the web site is verified, the remainder of the conversation between the web site and the customer is scrambled so no one else can make any sense of the information. Other computers can still get the information but can not read it, only the two computers that started the conversation can understand it's scrambled information. The scrambling method is extremly secure.



The current price for an SSL key is $350 the first year and $250 every year after.

SSL requires some changes to the web site programming. SSL is slower than normal communication.

If you are going to get an SSL key, talk to the people that will be hosting the web site first. They will need to provide some information to the SSL company. It is better if you give the information the the web hosting company and let then fill out the application.

Internet Performance customers: we will do this for you. We will need all the information to send to the SSL key registration authority. 

Save money on Secure Web Sites.

If you want to take credit card information or other private information over the Internet, your web site needs a Secure Server Certificate.

The original provider of Secure Server Certificates is Verisign.

Secure Server Certificates from Verisign normally cost $349 for the first year and $249 every year after the first.

You can get a Secure Server Certificate from THAWTE, (a Verisign company) for $199 the first year and $149 for every year after the first.

Click on the seal below to find out more.