SSL Resources

Wondering how to install a Windows SSL certificate on your Windows (IIS) server? Well, you’ve landed at the right place at the right time. In this post, we will talk about how you can install an SSL certificate on a Windows server (IIS) – whether it's IIS version 5, 6, 7, 8, 8.5, or 10.

MySQL Backup Database: How to Backup MySQL Database in Linux and Windows

People running around, someone screaming in disbelief, people gathering at one computer… if you see these scenes inside a company’s IT department, then you’re likely witnessing the reaction to an unexpected data loss from the server. As any website administrator will say “you don’t want to be a part of that!” That’s why taking regular MySQL backups is the simplest, yet the most effective way you can save yourself from being part of a similar scene of chaos. This article will guide you on how to take backups in Linux as well as in Windows aka the MySQL backup database process. Let’s get going!

How to Implement a MySQL Backup Restore in a Few Clicks

If you witness scenes like this in your IT department, then two scenarios are highly likely: either there’s a security breach or data has vanished from the web server. Almost every website administrator has experienced both situations. The latter is sometimes more painful because the website admin could have most likely done something about it. But they didn’t, and that results in painful regret. You never want to be in that position, do you? Of course not, and that's why you're here.

What is a PEM Certificate File & How Do I Create a PEM File?

After years of push by the browser and security communities, ordinary website owners have finally realized the importance of an SSL/TLS certificate. As a result, most website owners get an SSL certificate as soon as they build their website. But many are new to this territory, and could get hung up on some of the complexities of the cybersecurity world. One of those complexities could be the PEM certificate file. Therefore, in this post, we’ll be discussing what a PEM certificate file is and how you can create one.

PhpMyAdmin Backup Database: How to Backup & Restore It in a Few Simple Steps

(3 votes, average: 3.00)

Ask any website administrator about their worst nightmare (as far as work is concerned), and all of them would say that it’s losing their whole database. And the irony is that every website admin has experienced it at least once in their professional life. This could’ve happened due to a cyber-attack, while doing local development or while migrating hosts. Whichever way it happened, the thought of it is terrifying to say the least. And that’s why automatic backup has become a regular practice in many organizations. In this post, we’re going to outline the simple steps to backup and/or restore your MySQL Database using phpMyAdmin.

What is PCI Certification & How Can It Help My E-Commerce Business?

If you came here looking for "PCI certification," then let us tell you that such a thing doesn't exist. Confused? Well, you should be. But relax, as not everything you've heard or known about PCI is incorrect. There is an important thing called "PCI compliance" you should know about! In this article, we'll be talking about PCI compliance, whether you need to follow it, and how it can help your business. And we’ll be using the word “PCI certification” throughout the rest of the article for the ease of your understanding. But before we do that, let’s first time-travel a bit.

The Lowdown on the Web Server Certificate

(2 votes, average: 1.50)

What springs to mind when you hear the word "web server certificate?" The people who're miles away from the nerdy stuff could think that it's some kind of a certificate for a web server. A certificate for a web server? It doesn't make any sense, does it? Well, that's the thing about these terms. They sound sweet and straightforward on the surface but mean something totally different when we peel the layers back. “Web server SSL certificate” is one such term.

What Is a Signing Certificate, and How Does It Work?

SSL Certificate, code signing certificate, email security certificate, document signing certificate… the world of internet security is filled with all kinds of certificates, and it's quite obvious you can get yourself confused with so many of them out there. But don't you worry as we've got it covered for you. By the end of this article, you'll have the answer to your "what is a signing certificate?" question. And the best part is that you don't need to be a oh so experienced to understand it. So, let's get started!

4 Simple Steps to Install a Fortigate SSL Certificate

If you’re using a Fortigate firewall and you want to install a Fortigate SSL certificate, then you’re definitely on the right track. That’s because having a firewall isn’t enough these days, thanks to the rising number of security threats. Installing an CA-certified SSL certificate on your Fortigate firewall will help you on three fronts –authentication, encryption and data integrity.

Revealed: The Most Trusted SSL Certificates for 2020

It's 2020, and today, SSL certificates are more relevant than ever! Whether you're looking for user trust, business credibility, SEO benefit, or merely an encrypted connection, an SSL/TLS certificate has become a matter of no compromise for website owners. But one question becomes quite pertinent (sometimes irritating as well) when you're building a website: "How to find trusted SSL certificates in 2020?" Well, we understand your confusion. That's why we've come up with a list of SSL certificates that you can trust.

What Is a Shared SSL Certificate and How Does it Differ from Dedicated SSL?

In this post, we'll mainly talk about shared SSL certificates, how they differ from dedicated/private SSL certificates, and which one is right for you. Before we dive into all of that, let's first understand what a shared SSL/TLS certificate is.

Two Simple Steps to Back Up All MySQL Databases at One Time

Do you know anyone who’s very paranoid about losing all the data in their phone or computer? If so, that person is most likely a website administrator. No community in the world is as obsessed with backing up the data as website admins. We might curse them or make fun of them, but their obsession is justified. All website admins have lost their data at least once in their lifetime and that time is no less than a nightmare for them. That’s why backing up the server data ranks highest as far as the priority tasks for a website admin are concerned.

Explained: What Is a SHA256 SSL Certificate?

Understanding SHA256 SSL certificates isn’t as complicated as you think

People who’re dealing with SSL/TLS certificates – especially the first timers – come across a lot of terms that sound more like military code words than product features. And this makes their

What Is an Exchange SSL Certificate?

Everything you need to know about Exchange SSL certificates…

What is an Exchange SSL certificate? How do they work? What’s the best SSL certificate for Exchange server? How can I get an Exchange SSL certificate? If you ever wondered about one or more

SSL Certificate for Localhost — Is It Possible?

Is it a good idea to get an SSL certificate for localhost? Well, an SSL/TLS certificate is a good idea for almost anything. So, if you’re thinking of protecting your localhost environment with an SSL/TLS certificate, then you’re definitely thinking in the right direction – whether you’re looking to use localhost for local development or for distribution with a native application. In this article, we will show you how you can protect your localhost with SSL encryption within 5 minutes!

Free Email Certificate – Can You Get One?

Looking for a free email certificate? We answer if they exist and look at your best options…

“Can I get a free email certificate?” We keep getting asked this question over and over again. Unfortunately, the answer is no, you can’t. If you had asked us this question some time back,

Java Security Certificate — 6 Things You Need to Understand Before Purchasing One

When it comes to a Java security certificate, ignorance can be cruel

What do people mean when they mention the term “Java security certificate?” Do they mean an SSL certificate, or is there something else they’re trying to convey? How does an SSL certificate work

How to Create a MySQL Auto Backup on Your Windows Server

Losing all your data is the biggest nightmare any website administrator can face, even more so than facing a cyber-attack! It is not only a disaster from the security point of view, but it could ruin the very foundation of a business. That’s why, taking regular backups is one of the most important tasks on an administrator’s job task list. Many DBMSs (database management systems) offer easy tools that help admins take backups quite easily. However, some DBMSs, such as MySQL, don’t offer that convenience and that’s why you have to set up MySQL auto backups or MySQL scheduled backups.

Explained: What Is a Java SSL Certificate?

Is there such a thing as a Java SSL certificate? Let’s find out…

If you’re a Java developer, the data security in your application must be of the highest matter of concern to you

MySQL Backup Script for Quick MySQL Backup in Linux/Windows

With weird clothes and geeky spectacles, website administrators look like different animals compared to us. And in many ways, they are. But there’s one thing in common between us and them, and that’s the constant fear of losing all your data and information. Just like we’re afraid of losing all our data from our devices, website administrators are afraid of losing all the data from their web servers. This fear rises with each upload and change made to the data structure. That’s why, backing up data regularly has become a routine for many. If you’re a website administrator, this article will give you MySQL backup script for quick MySQL backup in Linux as well as in Windows. With this script, you won’t need to download any MySQL backup tool.

What is SSL Certificate Encryption Strength? Which Cert Should I Choose?

(4 votes, average: 3.25)

“What does SSL certificate encryption strength mean?” In this post, we'll break down what “SSL encryption strength” means and help you learn how to make an informed decision about the best SSL certificate for your website security. But, before we dive into SSL/HTTPS encryption strength, let's first understand how SSL encryption works.

IoT SSL Certificates for Connected Device Security – All You Need to Know

(3 votes, average: 2.67)

We'll actually break down what an IoT device certificate is, what it does, and why people commonly refer to it (mistakenly) as an IoT SSL certificate. But before we dive into that, let’s understand why IoT security is essential.

Why Do I Need an Email Digital Certificate?

(5 votes, average: 2.20)

We’ll talk about email digital certificates in this post — but, first, we have a question for you: Do you know why do sharks migrate to another place? Yes, you guessed it correctly — because they’re in search of new prey. Now remember this fact for later — you’re going to need it.

What Is a Website Security Certificate and Why Do I Need One?

(5 votes, average: 2.80)

Do you want people to find your ecommerce website? And do you want them to feel comfortable and confident using it to make purchases? Then you need a website security certificate, or what’s known as a website certificate for short. Why? Because it’ll help you to achieve all of these things and more.

How to Solve the ‘Certificate Not Secure’ Error in Email on Android

(5 votes, average: 3.60)

Are you facing the dreaded ‘certificate not secure’ email error on your Android device? Are you frustrated that your email data isn’t as secure as you’d like? If the answer to the first question is yes, answer of the second question is obviously a yes as well. Well, we understand your frustration and that’s the reason why we’re actually creating this post.

What Is an RSA Algorithm in Cryptography?

(5 votes, average: 2.00)

“What is RSA encryption?” and “What is an RSA algorithm?” These are two of the first questions someone who hasn’t dealt with SSL/TLS certificates before asks when they come across the term “RSA.” RSA is a term quite commonly used when it comes to cryptography. RSA is a modern cryptographic algorithm that encrypts and decrypts data. It was invented by mathematicians named Rivest, Shamir and Adleman (hence where the name “RSA” was derived) in year 1978.

SSL Certificate Authority — What You Should Know About SSL Authority Organizations

(5 votes, average: 3.40)

If you’re trying to understand what an SSL certificate authority is, let’s consider a few analogies: If public key infrastructure (PKI) was a tree, certificate authority (CA) would be its trunk; if it was a car, CA would be its chassis; if it was a chair, CA would be its sturdy frame. Well, we’re getting too much off track, but you get the point, right?

An X509 Certificate — All You Need to Know About X.509 Security

(4 votes, average: 2.75)

What exactly is an X.509 certificate? Here’s the answer

In cryptography, X.509 is a standard format for public key certificates. A digital certificate that uses the SSL X.509 standard is regarded as an “X.509 certificate,” although you sometimes may

HTTPS & SSL Certificates Explained: Website Security 101

(5 votes, average: 2.20)

If you seek a simple yet profound understanding of SSL certificates, then you've come to the right place. In this post, we'll explain HTTPS and SSL/TLS certificates in language that you can easily understand. That’s why we have “HTTPS and SSL certificates explained” in the title. But before we dive deep into SSL certificates and how they work, let's first have a look at how the world looked before SSL certificates.

Do I Need a Dedicated IP for SSL?

(6 votes, average: 3.33)

Two very common questions people ask us are “do I need a dedicated IP for SSL?” and “Is SSL without a dedicated IP possible?” Both related questions are understandable because SSL/TLS certificates as a concept can be pretty confusing thing to deal with at times — especially if you’re coming across it for the first time. And that’s why we’re here — to help you make sense of topics relating to SSL.

MacOS Codesign: How Do I Sign a File with a Code Signing Certificate in MacOS?

(4 votes, average: 2.25)

Whether you’re here because you’re looking for a “macOS codesign” solution or another variation of the statement, we’ve got you covered. If you’re thinking of signing your file or software using a certificate authority in macOS, you’re definitely thinking in the right direction. A code signing certificate is a great way to protect software from being compromised and provides assurance to users that the software/app they’re about to install is from you and is genuine. Because it asserts your company’s name and signature, the code signing process establishes an element of trust in a user’s mind. And, as a result, enhances reputation of your company.

Hashing vs Encryption — Simplifying the Differences

(4 votes, average: 3.00)

Ah, yes, hashing vs encryption. For those of you who have no idea as to what hashing or encryption is, it’s pretty much like a blank paper that we’ll fill in for you momentarily. But for those of you who have a vague understanding of either hashing or encryption, you may still have some confusion as to whether hashing and encryption are the same thing or if they’re two different processes.

6 SSL Certificate Best Practices to Improve Your Website Security

(3 votes, average: 2.67)

From “do we even need SSL?” to “we don't have SSL yet?” — the world of website security has witnessed a dramatic change in the attitude of website owners. An SSL certificate is no longer a luxury for them; it's an absolute necessity. Regardless of whether your goal is to avoid security warnings displaying in browsers for non-HTTPS sites or to enjoy the SEO advantage given to HTTPS sites, it’s important that you follow SSL certificate best practices.

A SSL Certificate File Extension Explanation: PEM, PKCS7, DER, and PKCS#12

(5 votes, average: 2.60)

There’s no doubt that the world of SSL certificates can be highly confusing for someone who is new to the industry. One of the reasons behind this is the different formats in which SSL certificates are issued. Yes, you read that right: SSL certificates can be issued in various formats such as CER, CRT, DER, PEM, P7B, P7S, PFX, P12, etc. That’s because SSL certificates are issued with different certificate file extensions or in different file formats — such as a PKCS7 certificate or a DER certificate — based on their encoding and the information they store.

SHA2 SSL/TLS Certificates: All You Need to Know

(4 votes, average: 2.50)

SSL. TLS. SHA-1. SHA-2. SHA2 certificates. If you're even a little bit exposed to the world of SSL/TLS certificates, you must've realized that it's full of weird acronyms that mean nothing that they sound like. Today, we're going to talk about one such acronym that puzzles many. Yes, we're going to talk about SHA2 and how it’s used in the security implemented by SSL certificates.

OCSP & SSL Certificates — All You Need to Know About OCSP Protocol

(3 votes, average: 2.33)

We know you’re here to learn about online certificate status protocol (OCSP), but first, imagine if you're a web browser (yes, we're serious). In this scenario, one of your users types in the URL of an SSL-enabled website. Because you're a browser, you're supposed to visit the website, fetch it and show it to your user. So, how would you verify that the certificate of the website is valid?? How do you know whether a certificate authority (CA) hasn’t revoked the certificate?

How to Renew Your Code Signing Certificate in 6 Easy Steps

(4 votes, average: 2.50)

Keeping an up-to-date code signing certificate is essential for every developer. After all, you need a valid code signing certificate to sign your software and executables so they’re trusted by all of the major browsers. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to renew a code signing certificate — but, first, let’s consider an example:

What is a Premium SSL Certificate & Benefits of Premium SSL?

(3 votes, average: 2.33)

What Is Premium SSL Certificate?

“Premium SSL certificates” are distinguished variants of the standard SSL certificate. They are specially designed for securing e-commerce websites and come packed with enhanced features and additional

Is It Safe to Use 256 Bit SSL Encryption for Website Security?

Is 256 bit SSL encryption safe? Yes. In fact, 256 bit SSL encryption is actually considered the standard when it comes to website security. But when it comes to understanding 256 bit security in terms of its certificate, hashing algorithm, and keys, there’s a surprising amount you need to know. It’s not just about the certificate itself — that’s only part of the equation when it comes to website security.

Microsoft EV Code Signing Certificate — What to Know & How to Get One

(3 votes, average: 2.33)

As a developer, you’re responsible for creating the best software possible. Of course, part of that responsibility extends to ensuring that what you create is trusted by clients — otherwise, what’s the point? This requires the use of code signing certificates. But if you want to achieve instant application reputation from Microsoft SmartScreen, the only way to do so is by using a Microsoft EV code signing certificate… well, really, any extended validation (EV) code signing certificate.

What is A Root CA Certificate and How Do I Download It?

Every root CA certificate is the reason that SSL certificates are regarded as the standard basis for website security today. Considering cybercrime damages are projected to reach $6 trillion annually by 2021, keeping your business’s cyber security measures in check should be at the top of your priority list.

How to Get a Comodo Digital Signature Certificate for Email & Documents

(3 votes, average: 3.33)

Having both your emails and documents secured and encrypted can be very useful to your business. How, you may ask? By using a Comodo digital certificate. This type of Comodo signature certificate secures your emails and documents through encryption and increases the trust the recipient has for you and the reputation of your business. And who doesn’t want that?

What is an EV Certificate?

If you’re here because you’re wondering “what is an EV certificate?” you’ve come to the right place. Extended validation (EV) SSL certificates are often regarded as the premium tier of SSL certificates — and for good reason.

Back Up or Export an SSL Certificate with a Private Key

Many users believe that once they’ve installed an SSL certificate on a web server, they can’t back up or export the certificate and install it on another server. Well guess what? They’re wrong. You absolutely can export a certificate with its private key.

TLS vs SSL vs HTTPS: What’s the Difference?

(3 votes, average: 3.00)

TLS, SSL, HTTPS. TLS vs SSL. SSL vs HTTPS. Acronym soup. The world of website security acronyms can be almost as annoying as that Deangelo Vickers character from the TV show “The Office” if you’re just getting to know about it. Although Deangelo Vickers will always win this battle, in my opinion, at least we can turn him off and watch something else. But when it comes to the acronyms and lingo of the cyber security industry, there’s no option but to learn suck it up and learn them. So, let’s get started by talking about each and what the difference is between SSL and HTTPS, and where TLS fits in.

128 Bit SSL Encryption: What You Need to Know

(5 votes, average: 4.00)

There are two possible reasons why you're reading this post right now. The first is that you're exploring SSL certificate options, and you stumbled across the term “128 bit SSL encryption.” The second possible case could be that you came across this term on an ecommerce site or somewhere else, and your sheer curiosity led you here. In either case, you'll have a good enough idea about 128 bit SSL encryption.

128 Bit vs 256 Bit Encryption SSL: What You Need to Know

As you’re reading this blog post, it’s highly likely that you’ve come across various SSL certificate options of 128 and 256-bit encryption strength. And now you’re probably wondering what the difference is between the two and which is more effective. On the surface, it's evident that the bigger the encryption strength, the better it is. However, there’s more to 128 bit vs 256 bit encryption than just the numbers. And the true strength of encryption lies In this post, we’ll outline what both 128 and 256 bit encryption mean, how they differ, and which one is better for you.

CER vs CRT: The Technical Difference & How to Convert Them

(6 votes, average: 2.33)

CER, CRT, DER, PEM, P7B, P7S, PFX, and P12. Do you feel like pulling your hair when you see so many SSL/TLS certificate formats and extensions? Well, you’re not the only one. In our experience, a person dealing with SSL certificates passes through this stage at least once in their life. So, don’t worry as many have been there (and many are yet to arrive). In the meantime, we want to help by making this phase as short as possible for you. And that’s why we’ve come up with this article — to help you clear up any confusion regarding CER vs CRT files.

Why Do I Need an Email Encryption Certificate for My Outlook?

It may be hard to think about security while you’re writing an email — after all, it’s not like you’re constantly sharing blatantly confidential information through email (at least I hope you aren’t!) like passwords or usernames. However, email security needs to be a top concern, which is why you should use an email encryption certificate.

How Do I Install a Secure Email Certificate in My Outlook?