What is a cert?
A cert is short for "certificate" and refers to a digital document used for secure communication over the internet.
What is the purpose of a cert?
The purpose of a cert is to ensure secure and encrypted communication between a website and its visitors.
How do I know if a website has a cert?
You can usually tell if a website has a cert by looking for a lock symbol next to the URL and the use of "https" instead of "http" in the website address.
What does it mean if a website's cert is expired?
An expired cert means that the certificate used by the website has reached its expiration date and is no longer considered secure.
How often do certs need to be renewed?
Certs typically need to be renewed every 1-3 years depending on the type of cert and the issuer.
What is a common error message related to certs?
A common error message related to certs is "Your connection is not private," usually accompanied by a warning about potential security risks.
Why would I get a cert error on a website?
You may get a cert error on a website if the website's certificate is expired, invalid, or does not match the website's domain.
How can I fix a cert error on a website?
You can try refreshing the page or clearing your browser's cache and cookies. If the error persists, there may be an issue with the website's cert and you should contact the website's administrator.
Is it safe to proceed on a website with an expired cert?
It is generally not recommended to proceed on a website with an expired cert as it may put your personal information at risk.
What is a self-signed cert?
A self-signed cert is a certificate that has been generated by the website itself, rather than a trusted third-party issuer.
Is a self-signed cert less secure?
Yes, a self-signed cert is considered less secure because it has not been verified by a trusted third-party.
Can I trust a website with a self-signed cert?
It is generally not recommended to trust a website with a self-signed cert, as it may be vulnerable to hacking or phishing attempts.
How can I check the details of a website's cert?
You can click on the lock symbol next to the website's URL to view details of its cert, including the issuer, expiration date, and validity.
What is an SSL/TLS certificate?
An SSL/TLS certificate is a type of cert used to establish secure connections between web servers and clients.
What is the difference between an SSL and a TLS certificate?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are both protocols used for securing communication, with TLS being the more recent and secure version.
Is a cert necessary for every website?
Not every website requires a cert, but it is strongly recommended for websites that handle sensitive information such as personal or financial information.
Can a website have multiple certs?
Yes, a website can have multiple certs, especially if it has multiple subdomains or offers different services.
How can I know if a cert is trusted?
Trusted certs are issued by well-known and reputable certificate authorities (CA). You can check if a cert is trusted by looking for the issuing CA's name in the cert details.
What is a wildcard cert?
A wildcard cert is a type of cert that is valid for multiple subdomains of a website, making it more convenient and cost-effective for websites with numerous subdomains.
What is a domain validation cert?
A domain validation (DV) cert is the most basic type of cert that only verifies the ownership of a domain, but not the identity of the website owner.
What is an organization validation cert?
An organization validation (OV) cert verifies not only the ownership of a domain but also the legal identity and physical location of the organization or company owning the website.
What is an extended validation cert?
An extended validation (EV) cert is the most secure type of cert as it involves a thorough verification process of the organization's legal identity and location.
What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is used for regular communication between a web server and a client, while HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used for encrypted and secure communication that requires a cert.
What is Mixed Content?
Mixed content is a security issue that occurs when a website contains both secure (HTTPS) and non-secure (HTTP) elements, which can compromise the security of the website.
How can I resolve a mixed content issue?
To resolve a mixed content issue, you can try updating the URLs of the non-secure elements to use HTTPS or contacting the website's administrator for assistance.
What is a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)?
A Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a system of hardware, software, and procedures used to manage and distribute digital certificates and public keys.
Is it possible to have a free cert for my website?
Yes, there are several trusted CAs that offer free certs, such as Let's Encrypt. However, these free certs may have limitations and may not be suitable for all types of websites.
Where can I learn more about certs and website security?
You can find more information about certs and website security on trusted resources such as SSL.com (https://www.ssl.com/), Let's Encrypt (https://letsencrypt.org/), and the official website of your web browser.
