SSL is one of the most widely used tools for website security.  Short for Secure Sockets Layer, SSL is a protocol that protects transactions between the buyer and seller with a cryptographic technology known as encryption.  Anyone who sells products or services online is required to implement SSL or higher for security.  This is why you see online services such as PayPal and various e-commerce sites with security seals representing that they are protected by SSL encryption.

Shared vs. Private

Most e-commerce hosting companies provide their customers with shared SSL certificates.  This basically means that a company purchases their own private SSL certificate, and shares it with all customers residing on its server.  While this does not mean that your site is lacking in security, it can be make potential customers very suspicious.  When someone visits your site and checks for an SSL certificate, they will see that the certificate is owned by the web hosting company.  This could either cause the visitor to question your credibility, or conclude that your site has been compromised by a hacker.  You have to keep in mind that many consumers have no idea about web hosting, what company provides you with service, or the difference between shared and private SSL.

Although a private SSL certificate isn’t exactly cheap, it can be very advantageous for your online store and web presence.  Once you purchase it from a CA (Certificate Authority), the certificate is yours and yours alone.  Now when potential customers visit your site, they will see that you own the certificate, giving them reassurance and the confidence they need to feel safe when shopping on your site.  There are fewer questions about whether your website is secure and no questions about who owns the certificate.  And because it requires a dedicated IP address, you can ensure that you do not endure penalties as a result of sharing a server with spammers that cause trouble for the shared IP.

Summary

Almost all web hosting companies that specialize in e-commerce solutions offer support for private SSL certificates.  As we mentioned above, there is nothing wrong with the shared variety, but having your own certificate can work wonders for your credibility.  It could be considered a small investment that shows your audience that you are a serious business owner who can be depended on.  Rewards for this investment could be customer loyalty and long-term profits.

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1.) Make Use of Encryption

In order to protect the monetary transactions occurring on your site, you at least need to have an SSL certificate with no less than 128-bit encryption.  This security tool can be installed and managed by a third-party vendor such as VeriSign or you can choose to handle the configuration yourself.  What SSL does is scramble the data being sent over the internet in a code that is unreadable to hackers.  Thus, when sales on your website are made, the financial details of your customers is encrypted, securely transmitted and then decrypted by your payment processor.  By placing an SSL certificate seal on your website, you can calm the nerves of consumers and encourage them to shop your store in confidence.

2.) Check Your Buyers

Although you don’t want to look as if you are suspicious of everyone, the prevalence of credit card payments increases the probability of a customer using someone’s financial information without their knowledge or approval.  To minimize situations like this, you should check the identity of your customers.  This can be done by not only obtaining their name and credit card number, but also their home address, telephone numbers and the security code located on the back of the actual credit card.  By doing so, you can better assure that the financial details submitted actually belong to the individual making the purchase.  If the card comes back as stolen, you could end up playing a role in helping authorities track down the criminal.

3.) Research Your Merchant

To ensure that financial information will not be stolen following the transaction, it is imperative that you run a thorough check of the merchant account provider processing your credit card payments.  You can start by reading reviews to learn if they have a history of fraud or security issues.  Don’t hesitate to speak to the company directly about the security measures they employ and most importantly, to make sure you are completely confident in their services.  If you have any doubts about the provider, follow your instinct and move on to the next option.

Security is a hot topic in seemingly every industry these days.  If you are using the internet as a medium for your business, these certainly are not times when you can just sit back and simply hope for the best.  Hackers and their attacking mechanisms grow more advanced everyday, so it is critical that you take the appropriate actions to keep both you and your customers out of harm’s way.

Related posts:

• March 6, 2009 – SSL For Your E-commerce Site
• November 21, 2008 – VeriSign Passes a Tremendous Milestone
• November 28, 2011 – Bit-Defender Internet Security Review
• August 4, 2011 – Secure Shell Security Tips
• April 25, 2011 – Bux4Real Attacked by Hackers
• February 25, 2011 – The Benefits of Using Multiple Domain Hosting for E-Commerce
• January 20, 2011 – Locking Your Online Business Using Website Encryption
• December 24, 2010 – The Overlooked Connection Between Computer Viruses and Site Security
• November 15, 2010 – The Basics of SMTP
• September 28, 2010 – Ecommerce Site Building Checklist