Enabling Website Encryption

What an SSL certificate does

An SSL/TLS certificate encrypts the data moving between a visitor and your website. It's what produces the padlock and the https:// prefix in the browser. Behind the scenes, the certificate proves your site is who it says it is and sets up an encrypted channel so nothing sent over it can be read in transit. Mozilla's TLS guidance notes that only TLS 1.2 and 1.3 are still considered secure; older protocol versions should be turned off.

Why it matters for trust

Without a valid certificate, anything entered on your site - logins, contact forms, payment details - can be intercepted between the visitor and your server. Browsers also label unencrypted sites as "Not Secure," which costs you trust before a visitor reads a word. For organizations handling sensitive data, NIST SP 800-52 sets out how TLS should be selected and configured.

How to fix it

1. Install a certificate. Many hosts provide one free through Let's Encrypt, a non-profit certificate authority backed by Mozilla, Cisco, and the EFF.
2. Automate renewal. Let's Encrypt certificates last 90 days by design; the ACME protocol renews them automatically so they never lapse.
3. Redirect all traffic to HTTPS. Make sure the plain http:// version forwards to the secure one, and prefer TLS 1.3 while disabling old protocol versions.

How to confirm it's fixed

Load your site and check for the padlock. For a fuller picture, run a free test such as SSL Labs or the Mozilla Observatory - it confirms the certificate is valid and flags any weak protocol still enabled. Ask your web host or IT provider to confirm your certificate status and set up automatic renewal.

Sources

• Let's Encrypt - How It Works
• MDN - Transport Layer Security
• NIST SP 800-52 Rev. 2 - TLS Guidelines