If you are considering an e-commerce site or any site where you will be taking sensitive client data – then you need to consider a SSL certificate.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a security protocol that enables the secure communication of data between the client computer and server. SSL ensures message privacy, integrity and authenticity.

One of the most common implementations of SSL is for an E-Commerce website. In order to complete a transaction, sensitive personal data must be communicated from the client such as a credit card number. When sending this information over the Internet, it is crucial that the information is kept confidential, is not altered in any way during transport and that the identity of both parties can be established to be authentic.

SSL uses cryptography to transcribe the message into a coded message, which would be meaningless to anyone who was to try and intercept the message. Using a high security cipher, SSL is so secure that it would take all the computers in the world millions of years to in order to crack just one message.

The difference between 40-bit and 128-bit encryption is as follows. For every N bits of encryption, there are 2N number of possible encryption keys. Where 40-bit encryption provides 240 different possible keys, 128-bit encryption provides 2128 different keys, providing even more security for customers.

GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium comes with a smart seal for you to display on your site. This prominently displayed GeoTrust QuickSSL smart seal guarantees online visitors they will receive the highest level of encryption possible. GeoTrust's innovative smart seal assures online customers that credit card account numbers and other confidential information cannot be intercepted or altered.

Here at T-Enterprise, we use GeoTrust QuickSSL Premium, which costs £99 per annum.