Who needs Secure Socket Layer  (SSL)?
*If you collects personal information from your customers over the Internet via Feedback form or Guest book on your website  -- you need Secure Socket Layer (SSL) installed on the server, where your web site is hosted.
* If accept credit card payments online -- you need Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

Secure Socket Layers (SSL) give you and your customers peace of mind when conducting commerce over the Web by encrypting data such as credit card, social security numbers and other personal information you are collecting over the Internet.

SSL works by using a public key to encrypt data that's transferred over the SSL connection. All popular browsers support SSL. Many websites use the protocol when users submit confidential information. By convention, URL's that require an SSL connection start with "https" instead of "http".

We recommend, that any information, that you are collecting from your customers electronically, has to be encrypted. You need Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Ask your web hosting company, if they have Secure Socket Layer to install on your server. They should have written instructions or tutorial who to use SSL on your website. Hosting companies usually provide shared SSL certificate.

What to Watch for when using shared SSL
Many web hosting companies offer shared SSL with your hosting account. It is included in your package. But your site can be moved from server-to-server without your knowledge or approval. That means, you will loose the link to your SSL, and your form or shopping cart will not work. It costs time and money to restore and re-wire your site. We have been dealing with this problems periodically, when our customers complain that they cannot get online orders. We have to call hosting company and ask what is the new pass to SSL and then "re-wire" the web site. This is not a value added task to anyone.

If you are serious about the security and functionality of your web site, buy your own SSL certificate and install on your server. This way you protect sensitive information collected on your web site and will insure the proper functionality of your site. There are many company sell SSL certificate. The prices are vary. Choose reliable SSL provider. In this particular case -- price is an excellent gauge to quality. Don't fall for cheap prices or "good deals". It might be a catch that will eventually cost you more money or lost business.

Be sure to inform your online visitors and customers, that you do have Secure Socket Layer (SSL) on your website and their information is protected.