SSL Fundamentals

What SSL/TLS is, how HTTPS works, certificate types, and the trust chain that keeps the web secure.

SSL/TLS certificates are the foundation of web security. They encrypt the connection between browsers and servers, authenticate website identity, and keep sensitive data safe in transit. These articles explain how certificates work, the trust chain behind them, and the different types available.

For a comprehensive overview, see our The Complete SSL/TLS Guide.

What Is an SSL Certificate?

What an SSL certificate is, how it works, why websites need one, the different types, and how SSL certificates secure the connection between browsers and servers.

What Is HTTPS? How SSL Secures Your Website

What HTTPS is, how it differs from HTTP, how SSL/TLS encryption secures web traffic, and why HTTPS is required for modern websites.

How HTTPS Works: Step by Step for Beginners

A step-by-step explanation of how HTTPS works, from the TLS handshake to encrypted data transfer. Written for beginners with no cryptography background.

SSL vs TLS: What's the Difference?

SSL and TLS explained: the differences between protocol versions, why SSL is deprecated, and why everyone still says 'SSL' when they mean TLS.

SSL Definition: What SSL Means in Plain English

A plain-English definition of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), what it means when someone says 'SSL,' and how the term is used today even though the protocol itself is obsolete.

What Is a Digital Certificate?

What digital certificates are, how they work, the different types (SSL, code signing, email, client), and how the public key infrastructure enables trust on the internet.

Types of SSL Certificates: DV, OV, and EV Explained

Domain Validation, Organization Validation, and Extended Validation SSL certificates compared. Which type you need, what they cost, and what they actually prove.

What Is a Certificate Authority (CA)?

What certificate authorities are, how they issue and validate SSL certificates, the trust hierarchy, major CAs, and what happens when a CA is compromised.

Root vs Intermediate Certificates Explained

The difference between root and intermediate certificates, why the chain of trust matters, what happens when intermediate certificates are missing, and how to fix chain issues.

SSL Certificate Chain Explained

How SSL certificate chains work: root CAs, intermediate certificates, and leaf certificates. Why chain errors break your site and how to fix them.