What is SSL?

This is short for for "Secure Sockets Layer". SSL is a protocal for encrypting web pages. It involves a private and pulic key exchange to make the transaction (web page) secure. Pages that are encrypted cannot be viewed by others in transit. It is a good idea to enable SSL on sites that accept credit card numbers or other private information.

There are two forms of SSL available to you at EPhost. Both provide equal means for you to encrypt web pages but one is specific to your company. Shared Web Hosting customers can use either a shared SSL certificate or a private SSL certificate. Dedicated and Colocated customers will need to use a private SSL certificate.

1. Free Shared SSL: This is a group certificate and strickly encrypts the page so it cannot be viewed in public.
2. Private SSL Certificate: A private certificate can be issued to you, for a small yearly fee, that will not only encrypt the page but will also validate your domain. Private SSL Certificates validate that the domain that has the SSL certificate installed is the same domain in the actual SSL certificate. Private SSL certificate need to be validated by a third party. This means that the user is reasonable assured that you are who you say you are.

Other topics in SSL

• What is SSL?
• How do I enable SSL?
• How do I request an SSL certificate for my hosted website?
• How to install SSL Certificate Site Seal for SSL Certificates?
• How do I reference a page in SSL?