SSL certificates protect website users from data theft and interception. They are extremely important today, especially since we hear about cyberattacks more and more frequently. The advantages of SSL certificates are widely known, but should an internet user or a website administrator also prepare for potential drawbacks?
An SSL certificate can slow down your website
A website operating under the HTTPS protocol (using an SSL certificate) will run slightly slower than one without such protection. Communication between the server and the browser also requires the transmission of data regarding the certificate’s trustworthiness. In most cases, these differences are barely noticeable. Therefore, it is difficult to consider this slight slowdown a genuine disadvantage of using a certificate. After all, it helps users feel more secure when browsing the website. And this is extremely important in view of the sensitive reputation an online business may have. Another downside of using SSL certificates is that the strong encryption of the connection, intended to protect data, can make it immune to certain user-protection tools designed to block malicious software. For instance, if malware is introduced into an SSL-encrypted connection, it may become undetectable by security software. This “gap” in SSL connections has led to additional threats to user data security. Hackers who manage to inject malicious software into an encrypted connection can bombard the user with even more unwanted applications without their knowledge. After discovering this loophole, SSL certificate issuers developed a solution to effectively deal with infected connections. Another solution that can significantly speed up HTTPS traffic is the HTTP/2 protocol. We described it in one of our earlier posts: HTTP/2 Protocol and SSL Certificate.
Tools for inspecting encrypted connections
A solution that helps users protect themselves from hacker attacks is tools designed to inspect encrypted connections. This software is used to decrypt encrypted sessions and inspect selected ones. In this way, the user can verify what is (or isn’t) hidden in their connection and, if necessary, eliminate lurking threats. Such tools enable even more effective use of SSL certificates and the possibilities they offer. However, these tools are not without drawbacks. The main disadvantage is the challenging implementation process. To inspect a connection, a new SSL session must be established. A certificate from a trusted issuer is also required. Furthermore, there is a question as to whether the same certificate can be reused after being subjected to an inspection tool. The answer is not entirely clear, as it depends on the certificate issuer and whether they support such an inspection solution. When choosing a trusted issuer like Sectigo, whose certificates we offer, you can use such an inspection tool. One solution that Sectigo uses is the SecureBox application. SecureBox enables users to check whether any malicious software is hidden in the encrypted connection. It will soon be available in our offering!
Every website that wants to be perceived as trustworthy uses SSL certificates and the HTTPS protocol. It is worth protecting yourself from hacker abuse and choosing a certificate that allows easy control over the technologies you use.