Certificate

When a website has an SSL certificate installed, it changes the website URL from "http://" to "https://". This indicates that the website is using a secure connection and that any data exchanged between the website and the user's browser is encrypted and protected.

SSL certificates are issued by certificate authorities (CA) and can be obtained from a variety of sources, including web hosting providers and third-party certificate authorities. They are available in different levels of validation, including domain validation, organization validation, and extended validation.

Domain validation SSL certificates are the most basic level of validation and only verify the domain name of the website. Organization validation SSL certificates require more rigorous validation and verify the identity of the organization that owns the website. Extended validation SSL certificates are the highest level of validation and require extensive documentation to verify the identity of the organization and its legal status.

When choosing an SSL certificate, it's important to consider factors such as the level of validation required, the number of domains and subdomains that need to be covered, the length of the validity period, and the level of customer support provided by the certificate authority.

In summary, SSL certificates are essential for ensuring the security of online transactions and protecting sensitive information. They are available in different levels of validation and can be obtained from a variety of sources.