Why HTTPS is mandatory
Google marks HTTP sites as not secure. HTTPS is a ranking factor and essential for user trust.
How SSL certificates work
An SSL/TLS certificate encrypts communication between browser and server using asymmetric cryptography for the initial handshake.
Certificate types
DV (Domain Validation)
Verifies domain ownership only. Issued in minutes. Sufficient for most sites.
OV (Organization Validation)
Verifies the organization. Higher trust level. Recommended for businesses.
EV (Extended Validation)
Shows company name in the address bar. Increasingly less common.
Let's Encrypt
Free DV certificates with automatic renewal. Compatible with most hosting and CDNs.
Recommended configuration
Use TLS 1.3, disable TLS 1.0 and 1.1, configure HSTS, and redirect HTTP to HTTPS with 301.
HSTS
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains; preload
Conclusion
HTTPS is the foundation of web security. At Vynta we configure SSL/TLS with best practices including HSTS, 301 redirects, and expiry monitoring.