Home Resources

SSL Resources

Latest SSL Resources

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

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?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Hackers continually try to find new ways to steal data from businesses. That’s why it should come as no surprise that 91% of phishing occurs via email. As many as a million phishing emails containing the dreaded Emotet trojan have been known to be sent in a single day! But how can you combat this threat? Having a secure email certificate (also known as S/MIME certificate or an Outlook email encryption certificate) can help your company do precisely that.

Why I Should Conduct an SSL Certificate Price Comparison

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

An SSL certificate is considered a must-have for any business that operates a website. After all, it’s what enables you to use the HTTPS encrypted protocol to securely transmit data between your end users’ client and your server. As you’ve likely seen when perusing various SSL reseller and certificate authority (CA) websites, though, the prices can vary dramatically from one certificate to the next. But why is that? And what should you consider when you compare SSL certificate prices?

Why Should I Pick HTTPS Instead of HTTP for My Blog?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

In the battle of HTTPS instead of HTTP — or vice versa — which comes out on top? Whether you’re holding off on HTTPS because of the rumored costs associated with the protocol or you simply don’t want to go through the hassle of making the switch, it’s something that you need to do. Google deemed it necessary and made it mandatory in 2018 — other major browsers followed suited.

What’s the Best Price for an EV SSL Certificate?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

If you’re looking for the best EV SSL certificate at the best price, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s jump into EV SSL certificate prices and how you can get the best deal for your needs.

What is a Software Publisher Certificate? How Do I Get One?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

A software publisher certificate (also known as a code signing certificate or a software signing certificate) is a digital certificate that software publishers use to digitally sign software before releasing it to the public and/or their customers. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Let’s go a bit further to explain what that really means.

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

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

That’s a great question. Over the past several years, Google and Mozilla have led a push that encourages all websites to switch from HTTP to HTTPS. This has led to a lot more awareness around website security and internet encryption, but many people find the acronyms a bit confusing. And, quite frankly, we can’t blame them — there are a lot of abbreviations to keep track of when it comes to website security! Let’s break down TLS vs SSL vs HTTPS in simple language.

Can I Get a Free EV SSL Certificate?

Rate this article:

If you’re looking for an EV SSL certificate, congratulations — you’ve chosen the most exclusive, highly verified SSL certificate for your website. It’s a great way to provide your customers with the maximum information possible so they know they can trust your website.

What Is a CA Signed Certificate & How Do I Get One?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

If you’re getting ready to switch your website from HTTP to HTTPS, you may be wondering whether you need to purchase a CA signed certificate for SSL, or if you can just use a self-signed certificate. Here’s what you need to know…

How Do I Get an HTTPS Certificate for My Website?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Thanks to Google’s effort to encourage all websites to switch from HTTP to HTTPS, most web traffic is now on HTTPS. As of October 2019, approximately 90% of web browsing is done over HTTPS! If you own a website, you should buy a HTTPS certificate for your website so you can make the switch, too! Here’s what you need to know about how to get a security certificate for your website.

How Much Does an SSL / HTTPS Certificate Cost?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Since you’re reading this article, you probably already know that you need an HTTPS certificate for your website (technically, they’re called TLS certificates, but they’re colloquially referred to as SSL certificates or HTTPS certificates a lot). The next question you’re probably asking is: what’s the price of an HTTPS certificate? Let’s dive into the key things you need to know to get the lowest HTTPS certificate cost that meets your needs.

What Is an ASV Vulnerability Scan?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Perhaps the most vilified of all the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements is number 11 — that all organizations accepting payment must perform quarterly scans by an approved scan vendor. These are also known as ASV vulnerability scans. But that’s not all, either. If your organization accepts payment cards, regardless of what level you’re at, compliance is a must.

How Much Does PCI Compliance Cost?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Companies and organizations loathe compliance. It requires attention, labor and expenses to be assumed and there’s really no profit involved. That leads compliance frameworks like Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) with a rather onerous reputation, that — in some cases — really isn’t deserved.

What Is a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

If you want to be compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), then you’re required to perform quarterly scans of your internal and external networks using an approved scanning vendor, or ASV.

Positive SSL vs Comodo SSL — Are They Really Different?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Although from the same brand, PositiveSSL and Comodo CA branded SSL certificates have a few key differences that makes it easy to differentiate between the two. What is the difference between Positive SSL vs Comodo SSL certificates? The truth is that they’re made for two different purposes — with Positive SSL focusing on the most bang-for-your-buck and Comodo CA providing the most features.

What is an SSL Certificate for Your Mail Server?

Rate this article:

(2 votes, average: 4.00)

Servers that host websites aren’t the only ones that need SSL certificates. You need to have an SSL certificate on your mail server, too.

Best WooCommerce SSL Provider — Get Up to 80% Off on WooCommerce SSL

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Wondering what WooCommerce SSL is? WooCommerce itself is an open source eCommerce plugin for WordPress. So, what this means is that when someone is talking about a WooCommerce SSL certificate, it means that they’re talking about an SSL certificate that they use on their WooCommerce WordPress website.

DV vs OV vs EV SSL – Which Certificates Are Good for Site Security?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

While website security used to be one of the most overlooked aspects to business owners, the rise of cyberattacks has made taking precautions against attackers no longer optional. That’s why making sure that your website has the proper security measures in place is just as important as checking your office is locked at the end of the day. This is where it’s helpful to compare DV vs OV vs EV SSL certificates to see which solution offers the best security for your website.

OV vs EV SSL — What You Should Know About Them

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Understanding the difference between OV vs EV SSL is like understanding the difference between two pairs of shoes. While they both essentially serve the same function — both types of x.509 digital certificates help to facilitate encryption and assert identity — they require different levels of effort and have different features. Some shoes are somewhat inexpensive and are made quickly in mass-production environments. Others involve more individual effort, care, and attention.

A DV vs EV Certificate — Why Should I Choose One Over the Other?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

When choosing between a DV vs EV certificate, how do you know which is the better option? That depends on whom you ask. Domain validation (DV) and extended validation (EV) are two types of SSL certificates that you can buy for your website. Well, we say buy, but you can actually get some DV SSL certificates for free. So, why wouldn’t you just do that? Here’s why: Identity is important.

How to Solve the Code Signing Error ‘No Profile for Team’

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Uh oh. You’ve received an error — something along the lines of “ Code Signing Error: No Profile for Team ” or maybe even “Code Signing Error: No Account for Team.” As you’ve probably seen online, you’re not alone with this issue. But what do either of these messages mean? And how can you address them so you can continue with your software development and publishing tasks?

The Difference Between a Digital Signature vs Digital Certificate

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Digital signatures vs digital certificates — these are two very different things. You can find one on the other, but it’s important to understand the differences to get a better idea about SSL/TLS and public key infrastructure (PKI) in general.

How Do I Get SSL Certificate with Company Name?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

There are two types of SSL certificates — those that are domain validated (DV) and others that are business validated. And among the business validated certificates, there are two different levels: organization validation (OV) and extended validation (EV). If you want an SSL certificate with your company name, you’re going to need to purchase either an OV or EV SSL certificate because domain validation certificates won’t do the trick. Let’s break down what OV and EV SSL certificates are and how they can help you get SSL with your company name attached to it.

DV vs OV SSL — The Key Differences Explained

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Let’s talk about the differences between domain validation SSL and organization validation SSL. Yeah, it’s one of those “DV vs OV SSL” type of articles. We actually get asked about this quite a bit and, while the names of each are fairly accurate descriptors, we can’t blame you for wanting a little more information.

What is UCC Certificate? And Why You Need a UCC for Microsoft Exchange

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

A unified communications certificate (UCC), sometimes called a Microsoft Exchange SSL certificate, is a variant of SSL certificate designed specifically for Microsoft Exchange and Office Communications servers. But, why, you may be — but almost definitely aren’t — asking, why do Microsoft Exchange and Office Communications servers get their OWN SSL certificate?

The Value of UCC SSL Certificate

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

What is a Digital Certificate?

It is an electronic “password” issued post verification by a trusted body known as a certificate authority (CA) to ensure that messages are transferred and received securely over the wire by verified

Self Signed Certificate vs CA Certificate — Which One’s Right for Me?

Rate this article:

(2 votes, average: 4.50)

We get asked a lot about self signed certificates vs CA signed certificates — specifically why you can’t just sign your own SSL certificates and avoid working through the certificate authorities (CAs).

Free SSL vs Paid SSL Certificate — Should I Really Pay for SSL?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Nothing in life is truly free. There’s always a catch. SSL certificates are no different. Yes, you can receive a free SSL certificate but it’s going to be extremely limited. That makes the “free SSL vs paid SSL certificate” debate a bit more complicated than it may seem at first.

What is an SSL Certificate Chain and Why Should I Follow It?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

To truly understand SSL certificates and what an SSL certificate chain is, you need at least a rudimentary knowledge of public key infrastructure (PKI). PKI is a system of certificate authorities (CAs), root programs, and digital certificates. PKI is the trust model that undergirds SSL/TLS.

What is CA Signed Certificate and How Do I Get One for My Website?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

A CA signed certificate is just another name for a trusted SSL certificate. In fact, the reason the SSL certificate IS trusted is because it’s CA signed. But unlike that proverbial chicken and its proverbial egg, we know which comes first — the signature. So, wobble on across the proverbial street, chicken, while we discuss CA-signed certificates and answer the question, “how do I get one for my website?”

Tomcat SSL: SSL Certificates for Tomcat Servers

Rate this article:

(2 votes, average: 5.00)

Apache Tomcat servers are widely used to host websites and execute Java servlets. They’re application servers, and one of the most popular server-types our customers use. Unfortunately, sometimes Tomcat servers don’t play nicely with SSL — at least, this is the case if you’re not sure what you’re doing. That’s why we’ve written a Tomcat SSL guide that discusses SSL certificates for Tomcat Servers.

What is a Timestamp in Code Signing? How Does Timestamping Work?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Let’s talk about a code signing timestamp. Code signing is a requirement on most platforms nowadays. Whether you’re creating apps for Android and iOS or traditional software on a platform like Microsoft Windows — it needs to be signed by a certificate authority (CA) in order to be trusted. But code signing certificates expire in a set amount of time. Normally, that would render any signature that’s made by that certificate expired along with the certificate itself.

Cloudflare SSL vs Comodo SSL and Positive SSL

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Cloudflare SSL vs Comodo SSL. Two different SSL certificates from two different certificate authorities (CAs). You may be wondering what the differences are and whether one is better than the other. That’s why we’re here — to provide you with a comparison and some context of what each company offers concerning SSL/TLS certificates and encryption.

Can I Use One SSL Certificate on Multiple Domains?

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

We get asked the following question a lot in this industry: “Can I use one SSL certificate on multiple domains?” No matter what language you speak, no matter what industry you work in, the answer is still the same: Yes, you can use one SSL certificate for multiple domains on the same server.

How to Set Up Multiple SSL Certificates on One IP

Rate this article:

(1 votes, average: 5.00)

Before a transport layer security (TLS) extension called Server Name Indication (SNI) was published, secure sockets layer (SSL) certificates were limited to organization validation (OV) SSL certificates that secured an IP address. For a website to use SSL, it needed a dedicated IP. Today, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

« Older Entries

SSL Resources

Making Your Website Secure is Simple with Our SSL Resources

SSL Resources By Category

SSL Resources By Tag

Latest SSL Resources

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

SHA2 SSL/TLS Certificates: All You Need to Know

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

How to Renew Your Code Signing Certificate in 6 Easy Steps

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

What Is Premium SSL Certificate?

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

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

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

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

What is an EV Certificate?

Back Up or Export an SSL Certificate with a Private Key

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

128 Bit SSL Encryption: What You Need to Know

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

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

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

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

Why I Should Conduct an SSL Certificate Price Comparison

Why Should I Pick HTTPS Instead of HTTP for My Blog?

What’s the Best Price for an EV SSL Certificate?

What is a Software Publisher Certificate? How Do I Get One?

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

Can I Get a Free EV SSL Certificate?

What Is a CA Signed Certificate & How Do I Get One?

How Do I Get an HTTPS Certificate for My Website?

How Much Does an SSL / HTTPS Certificate Cost?

What Is an ASV Vulnerability Scan?

How Much Does PCI Compliance Cost?

What Is a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor?

Positive SSL vs Comodo SSL — Are They Really Different?

What is an SSL Certificate for Your Mail Server?

Best WooCommerce SSL Provider — Get Up to 80% Off on WooCommerce SSL

DV vs OV vs EV SSL – Which Certificates Are Good for Site Security?

OV vs EV SSL — What You Should Know About Them

A DV vs EV Certificate — Why Should I Choose One Over the Other?

How to Solve the Code Signing Error ‘No Profile for Team’

The Difference Between a Digital Signature vs Digital Certificate

How Do I Get SSL Certificate with Company Name?

DV vs OV SSL — The Key Differences Explained

What is UCC Certificate? And Why You Need a UCC for Microsoft Exchange

The Value of UCC SSL Certificate

What is a Digital Certificate?

Self Signed Certificate vs CA Certificate — Which One’s Right for Me?

Free SSL vs Paid SSL Certificate — Should I Really Pay for SSL?

What is an SSL Certificate Chain and Why Should I Follow It?

What is CA Signed Certificate and How Do I Get One for My Website?

Tomcat SSL: SSL Certificates for Tomcat Servers

What is a Timestamp in Code Signing? How Does Timestamping Work?

Cloudflare SSL vs Comodo SSL and Positive SSL

Can I Use One SSL Certificate on Multiple Domains?

How to Set Up Multiple SSL Certificates on One IP

Categories

Recent Posts