But let’s face it – managing SSL certificates can be overwhelming. From keeping tabs on expiration dates to securing various subdomains, there’s a lot to consider. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to simplify the complexities of SSL certificate management. 

Whether you’re getting your first certificate or want to ensure timely renewals for your current one, we’ll walk you through every step of the SSL certificate lifecycle. We’ll also discuss how choosing the right hosting provider, such as A2 Hosting, can make SSL certificate management a breeze. Let’s get into it! 

What is SSL Certificate Management?

SSL certificate management is the process of acquiring, deploying, and maintaining SSL/Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificates, which are crucial for securing data transfer between a user’s browser and a website server. 

These digital certificates act as digital guardians, ensuring that information exchanged between users and websites remains encrypted and protected. Additionally, this process provides a digital identity card for websites, validating their legitimacy. 

SSL certificate example

Why is SSL Certificate Management Important?

SSL certificate management plays a crucial role on many fronts. For website owners, it’s about giving your domain the necessary credentials to encrypt and validate your website’s identity. This builds user trust and provides your visitors with immediate peace of mind when they see the reassuring padlock symbol next to the URL in their browser. This symbol is like a digital handshake that assures them that their sensitive information is safe and sound. 

A2 Hosting SSL certificates

Since July 2018, Google Chrome has marked sites without SSL as “not secure”, which can potentially scare off visitors who are wary of sharing personal data on such sites. The good news is that almost every website has SSL certificates these days and for a valid reason.

They boost your site’s reputation and Search Engine Optimization (SEO), while also ensuring compliance with essential data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS). It’s crucial to keep your SSL certificate up-to-date, as letting it expire can lead to loss of customer trust, expose you to data breaches, and even lead to penalties for regulatory non-compliance.

However, managing SSL certificates can be daunting, especially if you’re handling multiple websites. To stay on top of things, you have to navigate through a variety of challenges, such as: 

• Expiration and Renewal Tracking: Periodically monitor the validity to ensure your website isn’t caught with an expired certificate. 

• Certification Installation and Configuration: Ensure certificates are installed properly across platforms. 

• Security Compliance: Follow global standards to avoid legal and financial penalties. 

• Key Management: Safeguard the pair of public and private keys used in SSL/TLS certificates. 

• Continuous Monitoring: Keep an eye out for any vulnerabilities in certificate behavior. 

Manual vs. Automated SSL Certificate Management

While it’s possible to manage your SSL certificates manually, this can be a time-consuming option that leaves room for oversights and errors, potentially compromising the security of your website. 

In contrast, automated SSL certificate management takes minimal effort. The system handles all the nitty-gritty details to safeguard your website against vulnerabilities, whether that means managing timely updates or sticking to top-tier security protocols. 

Here are some of the pros and cons of manual versus automated SSL certificate management: 

Understanding the Core Steps of the SSL Certificate Lifecycle

Each stage of the SSL certificate lifecycle plays a crucial role in ensuring secure online transactions. Let’s take a look at the core steps:  

Certificate Signing Request (CSR) Generation

The first step is to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR), which includes basic information about your website and its security needs. This step requires prior arrangements, such as securing a valid domain and ensuring access to the server.

Certificate Enrollment

Next, the CSR is sent to a Certificate Authority (CA) for enrollment. The CA may require verification of the entity’s identity before issuing the certificate. 

Identity Verification

The CA will then verify your identity to make sure you’re the real deal. This may involve verifying your entity’s domain ownership, legal identity, or other relevant information. This step is crucial for building trust in your online presence.

Certificate Issuance

Once your identity is verified, the CA issues the SSL certificate, which is digitally signed to establish trustworthiness.  

Certificate Installation

Now, it’s time to put your SSL certificate to good use by installing it on your website’s server. This involves configuring the server to use the certificate for securing communications. 

Certificate Usage

Once active, the SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted between the server and users’ devices via HTTPS, which further strengthens your security measures. 

Certificate Renewal

SSL certificates have a limited validity period, typically capped at 13 months. However, Google recently announced its intention to reduce the validity of TLS certifications to 90 days. Although the decision isn’t confirmed yet, it highlights the need for website owners to stay on top of evolving industry standards. 

Certificate Revocation

In rare cases, such as if you have a compromised private key, you may need to revoke your SSL certificate before it expires. CAs use lists like a Certificate Revocation List (CRL) or an Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) service to inform clients that a certificate is no longer valid.

Key Pair Updates

From time to time, you may need to update your cryptographic key pairs for security reasons. This process involves generating a new key pair, creating a new CSR, and going through the enrollment process again. 

End of Lifecycle (Expiry)

When an SSL certificate expires, it loses its validity. Clients may no longer trust the expired certificate, and you will need to replace it with a new, valid certificate as soon as possible to continue maintaining a secure online presence. 

What Types of TLS/SSL Certificates Exist?

A2 Hosting SSL certificates page

Depending on what your site does and the kind of information it handles, there are several different types of SSL certificates you can choose from. These include:  

Basic SSL (DV)

As the name suggests, Basic Domain Validation (DV) SSL certificates are your go-to for basic security needs. If you’re running a personal blog or a small site that doesn’t deal with much sensitive data, a DV certificate might be all you need. 

They’re affordable and can often be issued within minutes or hours. There’s only one catch: they don’t tell your visitors anything about who is behind the site. These certificates only verify the ownership of the domain, providing basic encryption and validation. 

Premium SSL (OV)

Organization Validation (OV) SSL certificates confirm that you own your domain and also verify the existence of your organization. This involves confirming the organization’s legal status and physical address. 

Justin Mazzi, A2’s Chief Technology Officer, says “While getting an OV SSL certificate might take a bit more time and effort than obtaining a DV certificate, it’s worth it for the added trust. When visitors click on the secure site indicator, they can see your company’s verified name. This level of validation works well for small-to-medium-sized businesses and eCommerce websites that want to boost their credibility and trustworthiness.”

Advanced SSL (EV)

Extended Validation (EV) SSL certificates provide the highest level of validation and trust. These certificates go through a rigorous verification process, which includes checks on your organization’s legal, physical, and operational existence. EV certificates are particularly important for large corporations and businesses handling highly sensitive information.

Enterprise SSL (EV)

Large organizations with substantial online transactions and data traffic require something even more robust. Enterprise SSL certificates are the ideal option here. They offer higher levels of validation and come with additional features and services, such as extended warranties and enhanced customer support, suitable for enterprise-level operations.

Wildcard SSL

Imagine having one key that unlocks every door in a building. That’s what wildcard SSL certificates offer organizations managing multiple subdomains under a single domain name. Just one wildcard SSL certificate can secure an unlimited number of subdomains.

Although these certificates are more expensive than a basic SSL certificate, it’s still a cost-effective option for websites with various subdomains. 

Another major advantage is that it’s easy to manage wildcard SSL certificates compared to keeping track of ten expiration dates for ten different SSL certificates. However, despite the many benefits, it’s important to remember that if the main certificate is compromised, all connected subdomains could also be at risk. 

The Role Your Web Host Plays in SSL Certificate Management

Managing SSL certificates is no easy feat, but the web host you choose can make a world of difference. An ideal web host offers several benefits, such as: 

Convenience and Ease of Use

An effective web host can take convenience to a whole new level by offering automated SSL management features. 

Picture this: you log into your hosting dashboard, and with just a few clicks, you can issue, renew, and monitor your SSL certificates. A user-friendly interface with automated features means that even if you don’t have the best technical abilities, keeping your site secure can be easy and efficient. 

Cost-Effectiveness

The web hosting marketplace is highly competitive, so we get it if sticking to your budget is your main priority.

These days, SSL certificates are often included as part of a broader hosting package. This bundled option can save you money and allows you to manage your site’s security through one platform. 

Plus, given that SSL/TLS standards are always changing, it can be useful to have the flexibility to adjust or upgrade your bundled services without making a significant dent in your wallet. 

Customer support availability

Let’s say your SSL certificate stops working because of a configuration issue. This is a high-pressure situation that requires immediate attention. That’s why it’s essential to have round-the-clock access to customer support. 

Having someone to help, whether through live chat, phone, or email, can resolve technical issues quickly, protect your online reputation, and keep your day-to-day operations running smoothly. 

A2 Hosting: A Top Choice for SSL Certificate Management

A2 Hosting homepage

If you’re looking for a stress-free SSL certificate management experience, A2 has got your back. We offer a wide range of SSL certificate options that are affordable, quick to set up, and make HTTPS implementation easy. We’re serious about protecting your site’s security, which is why we offer several standout benefits, like: 

A Free SSL Certificate Included in Every Plan 

From the get-go, we make sure your site is as secure as it can be. With every one of our hosting plans, even our most cost-effective ones, we offer a free SSL certificate that’s automatically set up and renewed for your domain. 

This guarantees a secure, trustworthy connection from the moment your website goes live. But that’s not all. Beyond just setting up and taking care of your SSL certificate renewals, we ensure it’s effectively integrated into your overall site security strategy to protect your site and visitors from any security threats. 

Upgrade With Premium SSL Options

As your website grows, your security needs may change. Luckily, we’ve got a suite of premium SSL options to meet more demanding security requirements. 

Our premium SSL option offers enhanced security with OV certificates and dynamic site seals, whereas our advanced SSL option features enterprise-grade EV certificates with the highest warranties. With both of these options, you get reliable security at affordable prices. 

Additionally, when it’s time to renew your certificate, you can count on us to remind you well in advance. 

Various SSL Provider Options

Finding a reliable web host is the most important first step. That’s why we offer SSL certificates from trusted names like RapidSSL, GeoTrust, and DigiCert. 

Every provider brings something unique to the table, giving you the utmost control and flexibility to find the perfect match for your website’s needs. 

Benefit From Multi-Year Pricing

All of our SSL products come with multi-year SSL coverage plans lasting up to three years. This means extended protection, fewer worries about needing to purchase a new certificate every year, and more time to dedicate to your core business operations. Not to mention, opting for our multi-year SSL certificate pricing saves you money in the long run. 

Access to SSL Certificate Management Tools

We’ve simplified SSL certificate management down to a fine art with our cPanel interface. Here’s how you can gain control over your entire SSL lifecycle without having to juggle multiple tools or external services: 

• Viewing Certificates: Access your SSL dashboard to check active and pending certificates. 

• Installing Certificates: Easily add new certificates to your domain. All you need to do is log into your cPanel account, click the “Autoinstall SSL” icon, and follow the guided steps. 

• Renewing Certificates: Keep an eye out for an expiration notice in your email, which will remind you to purchase and install a new SSL certificate before the old one expires.
• Removing Certificates: To remove expired or unused certificates, log into your cPanel account, open the SSL/TLS tool, and under CERTIFICATES (CRT), click “delete SSL certificate.” 

Streamline Your SSL Certificate Management With A2 Hosting

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is essential for protecting your visitors and maintaining their trust. That’s where choosing the right web hosting partner, like A2 Hosting, becomes crucial. We simplify the SSL certificate management process, ensuring your website is secure, and your mind is at ease. 

Whether you’re running a small business or heading a large multinational company, we’ve got a wide variety of managed SSL service options for you. Besides, we know that security should be uncomplicated and accessible, which is why we include a free basic SSL certificate in all of our hosting plans. 

Thanks to our comprehensive cPanel licenses, managing your SSL certificates is straightforward. You have the autonomy to install, renew, and manage your certificates with just a few clicks. Plus, you can always count on us to send you timely reminders when your SSL certificate is about to expire, so you’re never caught unawares. 

At A2 Hosting, we’re all about taking the hassle out of SSL certificate management, so you can focus on what’s important: running your website and business. With our easy-to-use cPanel, automatic renewal reminders, managed SSL service, and a range of SSL certificates, we promise that securing your site will be effortless.

Choose from our SSL certificate plans today to experience the A2 difference! 

The post Bolster Your Site’s Security with Effective SSL Certificate Control appeared first on The A2 Posting.

What is FTP?

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a network protocol used to transfer files between computers over the web. Users granted access can receive and transfer files in the FTP server known as the FTP host/site.

FTP provides basic, unencrypted file transfer capabilities to connect users over the internet. Developed in 1971 and thoroughly used throughout the 90s, this file-sharing option is now an archetype of the past, replaced by SFTP and SSH. 

The thing is, FTP wasn’t designed to be secure and has many security vulnerabilities like:

• Packet Sniffing. FTP is plain text which means it’s not encrypted. All transmissions, logins, passwords, and data are readable by anyone on the network. 
• Brute Force Attacks. Because FTP isn’t encrypted, it’s highly susceptible to hackers systematically checking frequently used passwords until the correct password matches.
• Anonymous FTP Vulnerabilities. Anyone can access older or anonymous FTP servers without needing a username or password. 
• Port stealing. Hackers can guess the next open port or use a PORT command to gain access as a go-between.

FTP doesn’t provide any safeguards preventing even the most inexperienced of hackers. Additionally, federally compliant organizations or networks can’t use FTP because of its lack of security. In fact, in 2017, the FBI issued a notice and warning about the potential for data breaches in the healthcare system for organizations using FTP. 

How to Secure Your Data 

Easy, don’t use FTP. Seriously. There are other protocols like SFTP, FTPS, and HTTP. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is the refreshed, secure version of FTP. 

Other ways to keep your data secure:

• Frequently update your protocols. Attacks over protocols occur when you slack on updating your system.
• Install an SSL (secure socket layer) certificate. SSLs encrypt the data on your website.
• Use 2FA (two-factor authentication). Minimize the chances of hackers breaching your server. 

There’s definitely a time and a place for using FTP. An FTP server allows you to organize your files, provide access to other users to download these files remotely, and also set permissions for what users can and can’t do to your files. If you choose FTP, we recommend having your own private FTP server with a strong password. This way, you can transfer your files easily, but without security concerns.

Despite its security concerns, FTP remains available for file sharing but isn’t recommended for most uses. When using FTP, ensure you’re following every security protocol possible and consider using other alternatives like HTTPS or SFTP. 

The post Is FTP Secure? The Complete Breakdown of FTP Hosting and If It’s Right for You appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Common WordPress Security Attacks

Security Attack #1: Brute-force

Brute-force: In this attack, bad actors attempt to guess login information by using automated password generators.

Basic defense: Use strong passwords. For recommendations about how to generate strong passwords, see our Knowledge Base article.

Security Attack #2: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

This is a hacking technique where malicious code from user input is injected into web pages and then viewed by site visitors. XSS attacks can potentially extract sensitive information, affect website functionality, and more.

Basic defense: Wherever a web site receives user input, the input should be filtered as strictly as possible based on the expected or valid input.

Security Attack #3: SQL injection

In this type of attack, malicious SQL statements are injected via unsanitized user input. SQL injection attacks can be used to tamper with data, extract sensitive information, and more.

Basic defense: Scan your site for SQL injection vulnerabilities using online website scanning tools like Sucuri SiteCheck.

Security Attack #4: Backdoor

A backdoor is malicious code that contains a hidden way to bypass the login or authentication process of a website.

Basic defense: Make sure your server has antivirus and firewall protection and is kept up to date. Also make sure you keep WordPress itself and any associated plugins updated with the latest security patches.

Security Attack #5: Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks

This type of attack renders a website inaccessible or unavailable to its users. For example, a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack sends traffic from multiple sources to a website, overwhelming its network connection.

Basic defense: Using a well-established Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare can help mitigate or even prevent these types of attacks.

Security Attack #6: Phishing 

Attackers use the phishing technique to impersonate a legitimate company, typically via email, in order to obtain personal information directly from the target. The attacker then uses the information to hack the site or commit fraud.

Basic defense: Spam filters can detect and prevent most malicious emails from reaching users’ inboxes.

Security Attack #7: Hotlinking

This is a technique where a website links directly to the targeted website’s assets, such as video or image files, in order to increase SEO ranking or to feature media without using their own server resources or bandwidth. For example, if website B hotlinks to website A’s featured image, and website B receives a lot of traffic on the page with the image, website A’s server resources are depleted, potentially affecting website A’s performance.

Basic defense: Use a plugin or Content Delivery Network (CDN) such as Cloudflare to help protect your media files.Conclusion

Conclusion

Now that you understand the various types of security threats to be aware of, consider the following root causes of why your WordPress site may be vulnerable to security breaches:

• Your WordPress site is out of date and requires an update to the most recent version.
• You have unused or outdated themes or plugins installed on your site, which cause compatibility issues and open up security holes.
• Your WordPress site admin login page is still set to the default /wp-admin, making it vulnerable to brute-force attacks.

Give your site a thorough security audit, or contact the A2Hosting Guru Crew if you want to improve the security of your WordPress sites.

The post 7 WordPress Security Attacks You Must Know appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Brute Force is a website attack that uses either humans or systems to target protected information, with the main goal of obtaining login information. This blog discusses some well-known methods for preventing Brute Force attacks.

1. Hide the WordPress Admin Login Page

WordPress by default has the login page as either one of the following:

•  /wp-login.php
• /login
• /wp-admin
• /admin

Gaining access to login pages, particularly the admin login, provides hackers with unrestricted access to the entire site.

There are several ways to hide the login area, including using a plugin like WPS Hide Login, which allows you to change the admin login to another URL of your choosing. When someone tries to access wp-admin/wp-login.php/login/admin, they will get a 404 error.

2. WordPress Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) 

A two-factor authentication gives you an extra layer of security by requesting additional identification factors like the following: 

• A unique password (OTP) sent by SMS/e-mail
• A phone call
• A QR code
• A push notification

WordPress supports two-factor authentication via plugins like the Two-Factor plugin or time-based authentication via Google Authenticator. The Google Authenticator plugin enables per-user two-factor authentication. You could enable it for your administrator account while using less privileged accounts as usual.

3. Cloud-Based Security Plugins

While traffic is beneficial to any website, excessive bad traffic depletes your server’s resources. Similarly, limiting the number of users who can enter your site at the same time protects you from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Popular cloud security plugins such as Sucuri or CloudFlare not only protect against brute force login attacks, but also other security threats such as DDoS, spam, and bots. They provide complete protection for your WordPress site. Examine the security measures provided by your hosting provider for your website.

Conclusion

As previously stated, a brute force attack is one of the most traditional attacks, but it remains the most common type of WordPress security attack. While plugins and other security tools are available to help mitigate security threats, it is always important to keep your WordPress up to date. This includes updating any plugins and themes, as outdated plugins or themes provide a good backdoor for hackers to attempt a security attack. If you have any questions or need any help protecting your site contact our support team today!

The post How to Protect Your WordPress Against Brute Force Attack appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Apache Log4j 2 is a Java-based logging library developed by the Apache Foundation. It is used by numerous enterprise applications and cloud services to provide advanced logging capabilities. If you have a managed hosting account, you can rest assured that we take care of server configuration and updates for you. If you have an unmanaged server, now is a good time to review your security configuration and make sure updates are installed in a timely manner.

On November 24, 2021, Alibaba Cloud’s security team reported a Log4j 2 remote code execution vulnerability to Apache. The exploit takes advantage of some Log4j functions that perform recursive analysis. With specially constructed malicious requests, attackers can trigger remote code execution.

The vulnerability impacts default configurations of several Apache frameworks, including:

• Apache Druid
• Apache Flink
• Apache Solr
• Apache Struts2

On December 10, 2021, this vulnerability was officially designated in the NIST national vulnerability database as CVE-2021-44228 (also known as the “Log4Shell” vulnerability).

How the Vulnerability Impacts You

Depending on the type of hosting account you have with A2 Hosting, you may or may not need to take action:

Shared, Reseller, and Managed WordPress Accounts

If you have a shared, reseller, or Managed WordPress hosting account, you do not need to do anything. These servers automatically receive frequent updates that include patches for the Log4j 2 vulnerability.

cPanel published an update to mitigate CVE-2021-44228 the same day the vulnerability was announced. For more information, see cPanel’s blog entry.

Managed VPS and Dedicated Servers

If you have a Managed VPS or Managed Dedicated server, you most likely do not need to take any action – your server is updated automatically with patches for the Log4j 2 vulnerability. The only exception is if you have installed any software utilizing log4j outside of cPanel/WHM you should ensure those installations are updated. All software installed and managed by A2 has already been updated.

cPanel published an update to mitigate CVE-2021-44228 the same day the vulnerability was announced. For more information, see cPanel’s blog entry.

Unmanaged VPS and Dedicated Servers

If you have an unmanaged VPS or unmanaged Dedicated server, make sure you keep it up-to-date with the latest security patches.

If you use Log4j 2 it is very important to ensure you have updated to the most recent version.  The first patch included another vulnerability which required a second patch.

Java 8 (or later) users should upgrade to release 2.16.0.

Java 7 users should upgrade to release 2.12.2.

More information can be found at Apache.

For information about how to install updates on unmanaged servers, please see this Knowledge Base article.

The Bottom Line

Heartbleed… Shellshock… The Log4j vulnerability is only the latest in a long line of security bugs. It isn’t the first, and it surely won’t be the last.

If you have a managed hosting account, you can rest assured that we take care of server configuration and updates for you. If you have an unmanaged server, now is a good time to review your security configuration and make sure updates are installed in a timely manner.

The post Log4Shell: 0-day Exploit in Popular Apache Logging Package Log4j 2 appeared first on The A2 Posting.

• Common signs of eCommerce fraud
• Easy ways to prevent fraud

Red Flags for eCommerce Fraud

It’s hard to believe that your business is not immune to eCommerce fraud. However, the truth is, even if you take all precautions and employ best practices, there are still risks for your company. That being said, it is always important to educate yourself on signs of impending fraud so you can work on preventing any issues as they pop up: Here are some of the most common signs of fraud to look out for:

1. More Than One Card on an IP Address

An IP address with multiple cards can be a red flag. To avoid being caught, most fraudsters will attempt numerous transactions with the same card.

2. Large Quantities of Your Product Are Being Purchased

If you offer a product with high demand, it’s expected to have larger and more consistent purchases. However, large quantities purchased from multiple locations by the same person or group can indicate fraud.

3. Shipping to Unusual Locations

If the shipping address does not match the product, this is a red flag. This could mean the person is ordering with a stolen credit card.

4. Different IP Address Compared to the Shipping Address

If the person’s IP address making the purchase differs from their location, this is a red flag. Most likely, this person uses a VPN or other service to hide their location. Also, keep in mind that the billing and shipping addresses may be different.

5. Many Transactions in a Very Small Period

Multiple transactions in a short amount of time is an indication that something could be wrong. Fraudsters usually test your business with small purchases before making larger purchases.

Ways to Prevent Fraud

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to prevent fraud in any way possible. There are many ways you can do this, and we will go over the most effective methods below:

1. Analyze and Assess Fraud Risks With Fraud Assessment Tools

Fraud assessment tools will allow you to assess your risk for fraud. This can be done in real-time and provide information about the likelihood of fraud occurring.

2. Update High-Quality Software Helping You Run Things

If you’re using software that is not up-to-date or effective, then it can open your business to fraud. You must have high-quality software that is constantly being updated.

3. Download Fraud Detection and Management Software

Fraud Detection and Management Software is the only way that you can truly protect your business. Whatever software solution you choose, make sure it’s designed to monitor transactions in real-time so that any fraudulent activity will be detected immediately.

3. Keep PCI Compliance

Disregarding PCI compliance is a huge risk. If you are not following the rules, your business can be liable for any credit card fraud on their website or store. This means that you could have legal issues to deal with and loss of revenue and reputation if it’s determined that your negligence led to fraudulent activity.

4. Use RBA (Risk-Based Authentication)

RBA is the only way that you can truly verify someone’s identity. This method ensures that all customers need to provide additional information before they purchase in order for it to be approved.

5. Require CVV Numbers on All Purchases

Requiring CVVs on all transactions can be a huge deterrent for fraudsters. This is because they only tend to make purchases with stolen credit cards or through online retailers that don’t require this information.

6. Use HTTPS Protocol

Using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure will ensure that all of your transactions are encrypted. This prevents any potential hackers from gaining access to your data, and it also provides another layer of security on top of SSL certificates.

7. Use AVS (Address Verification System)

Address verification ensures that the billing information and shipping address match up. If they don’t, this can be a red flag for fraudsters who use stolen credit cards or purchase goods online without having them shipped.

Conclusion

Another great way to avoid fraud is by ensuring a high-quality web hosting company hosts your website. A2 Hosting offers secure and dependable service, so we’re here for you if something goes wrong. With 24/7/365 support and a 99.9% uptime commitment,+*969* we’re available for our customers when you need us.

Our sales teams will help you choose a plan that’s perfect for any business size. Let us take care of everything so that you don’t have to worry about anything but growing your business. Contact us today!

The post The Secret to Identifying and Preventing eCommerce Fraud (7 Easy Steps) appeared first on The A2 Posting.

CAPTCHAs are commonly used in websites to prevent hacker-programmed bots from gaining unauthorized access to a website’s services. If you suddenly received a flood of spam emails, or if your signup forms or ticket purchases received a flood of responses, your site has most likely been hijacked by a bot. This blog provides an overview of captcha, why it is required, and a link to instructions for including it on your WordPress site.

What is Captcha?

Captcha is a test tool that can distinguish between a human and a robot or bot. It begins as a series of blurred and stretched letters and words on a panel. Users are then prompted to enter the identified obscured text. Although many website owners understand the value of Captcha in reducing unauthorized access, having captcha irritates site visitors, particularly those with disabilities.

reCaptcha by Google

Google made reCaptcha available to businesses for free in exchange for using the testing data to train and improve its Google Maps feature identification system. reCaptcha improved the user experience by simply asking the user to tick the box to confirm ‘I am not a robot,’ and if there is any doubt, an image grid is presented asking the user to identify a feature for further confirmation. This was a much-preferred method rather than guessing blurred and stretched letters and numbers.

To make things even easier, Google recently launched “invisible reCaptcha,”. It assesses interaction with a page using data points to determine whether the user is a bot or a human. This tool analyzes key behavioral aspects such as typing behavior, spelling mistakes, and time to fill out a form as a form of validation. However, because no one fully understands how Google processes the data, it is still not a popular method.

Why do you need Captcha on your site?

The primary goal of Captcha is to prevent bots from submitting bogus requests! Here are some well-known reasons why you should use a captcha on your website:

• You can prevent hackers from using bots to answer your online polls, thereby compromising the integrity of your response.
• You can prevent spam, unwanted comments, and links from appearing on your content pages.
• To provide your users with a secure online shopping experience on your website, prevent hackers from stealing sensitive information such as login credentials.
• Filters automated traffic, which means you can prevent unwanted multiple email accounts from being used to hack your site.

How to add Captcha on a WordPress site?

Now that you understand how Captcha can help you stop unwanted traffic and reduce spam, it’s time to put it into action on your website. Captcha can be added to your WordPress site by using the Google Captcha plugin. Learn how to add CAPTCHA protection to a WordPress site in a few simple steps by reading our article How to add CAPTCHA protection to a WordPress site.

The post Why Does Your WordPress Site Need Captcha? appeared first on The A2 Posting.

Continue reading to explore what web hosting is and what the common types of hosting are. Learn why it is important to find a first-rate web host provider and discover which web host provider has the fastest hosting service and what kinds of plans they offer.

What Is Web Hosting?

Web hosting is an internet hosting service that hosts websites and web pages on behalf of businesses and individuals.

The backend and files of websites are stored on servers. Internet users can view a website by typing its URL address on their browser or by clicking on a link. The users’ computers will be linked to the server so that the webpage will load on their browser.

During the early days of the Internet, companies and persons were required to have their own computer or server to host a website. However, not everyone could afford to buy technological equipment or hire in-house professionals who specialize in website hosting. The need for web hosting services started to grow as the number of Internet users all over the world began to increase exponentially.

These are some of the popular types of web hosting:

• Shared Hosting: It involves the sharing of server space among various websites. The shared resources typically include the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and RAM (Random Access Memory). It is ideal for businesses that plan to build new websites because it is priced relatively low and allows for growth.
• Virtual Private Server (VPS) Hosting: It offers more control than shared hosting, but less control than dedicated hosting. Every website is allotted its own space and reserved resources within the parameters of the server making it a virtual private environment while still sharing hardware. It is appropriate for businesses with existing websites with low to medium amounts of traffic.
• Dedicated Hosting: It allows the webmaster, who is the owner of the website, to have almost full control of the site. The webmaster can manage the administration access, select the security features, and pick the operating system of the server. It is suitable for businesses with existing websites that have a high amount of traffic. This arrangement is usually preferred by companies with an in-house IT department that can oversee the site unless they have a managed plan which we outline below.
• Managed Hosting: This is most common type of web hosting service and can be added to Shared, VPS, and Dedicated hosting. In this scenario, the web host is in charge of server maintenance rather than the webmaster. The webmaster is freed from the responsibility of maintaining the operating system, software, and hardware related to the website. The website owner just needs to select the hosting package that will suit the needs of the business. This form of hosting is appropriate for businesses that plan to build and maintain websites with minimal effort. A2 Hosting has managed shared, VPS and dedicated hosting plans to choose from!

Why Is It Important To Have a Good Web Host?

A web host is a company that provides web hosting services to businesses and individuals. There are several reasons why any business needs to have an excellent web host:

1. Optimized Data Storage

It is critical for a business to have a dependable web host that offers ample data storage options. Proper data storage enables a website to handle more online traffic. Storage limitations can cause a site to shut down when the amount of traffic is high.

2. Secure Server

A competent web host can improve the cyber security of a business website. It ensures the safety of the network space to safeguard the website files and customer information from being accessed by outsiders. It blocks hacker attacks, phishing attempts, and other kinds of cybercrimes.

3. Zero To Minimal Downtime

Downtime refers to the timeframe when the website is not available online for various reasons. Whether it is scheduled or unscheduled, downtime can be detrimental to a business if it occurs often. It reduces opportunities for lead generation and conversion. Plus, frequent downtime makes a website seem unprofessional. That’s why it is critical for a business to select a dependable server with zero to minimal downtime.

4. Backup Protection

A business should work with a website host that offers backup options. Backup measures will allow the team to roll back the website in case of technical issues. A website must have backups so that a business will not lose important data.

5. Email Services

A business will appear more professional if the team members use customized email addresses that are related to the domain name, instead of communicating via free email accounts from popular email services.

Official work email addresses can help a business build a reputation as a credible, legitimate organization. Email hosting is one of the basic but essential features that a web host should offer in their packages.

6. Customer Service

A commendable web host should always be prepared to provide technical support to a business in case they encounter problems with their website. The company should provide alternative ways for their clients to contact them whenever they need professional assistance.

7. Flexible Pricing Options

Different businesses have varying budgets when it comes to web hosting. That’s why a business should choose a web host that offers multiple packages that they can choose from. This will allow the team to pick the plan that suits them best, based on their estimated budget and the specific services they need.

The availability of various packages also grants flexibility to a business. It allows the team to customize their plan in the future, in case they will need more server power, data speed, and storage space as their business expands over time.

8. Speed

Speed is one of the most important factors that a business should consider when choosing a web host. Slow website speeds can discourage users from spending time on a website. The user experience of website visitors will suffer if each web page takes too long to load. A business team should select a web host with the fastest hosting service to ensure swift loading speeds.

Why Is It Important To Have a Fast Website?

Having a fast website can be advantageous to any business in various ways. These are some of the benefits of having a quick-loading website:

1. Online Visibility

The website is a central marketing tool because it can increase the online visibility of a business. It has a significant impact on the marketing efforts of any company, in spite of the availability of other social media channels. The content and structure of a website should be strategic for it to be effective.

A website must feature basic information about the business, as well as its products and services. It should include compelling landing page copy that catches the attention of the audience. It ought to focus on results-driven solutions to the problems or needs of the target market.

Last but not least, a website should have fast loading times. No matter how well-crafted the content is, Internet users will not explore a website if the web pages are loading too slowly. A speedy website will motivate visitors to read the content so that they will learn more about the business and the brand.

2. Lead Generation

A fast website can result in lead generation for a business. Lead generation is the process of attracting attention and sparking the interest of future customers. Leads are people with the potential to purchase the products or subscribe to the services of a company someday.

A website that functions smoothly and swiftly can transform website visitors and prospects into leads. It can enable a business to develop connections with leads by featuring relevant content that is tailored to their wants, needs, and demographic information.

3. Lead Conversion

A website is a tool that can promote lead conversion for a business. Lead conversion is a sales and marketing procedure that converts leads into actual customers through retargeting, behavior automation, and relationship development.

A website that is quickly and easily accessible allows a business team to nourish their leads in each step of the marketing process. It can serve as a central venue where leads can morph into customers by taking concrete action, such as buying a product, utilizing a service, or signing up as a paid subscriber.

4. Sales and Profits

An official website can play a role in increasing the sales and profits of a business. Sales refer to the total amount of income that a business earns from selling its products and services. Profits are defined as the amount of income that remains after the costs, expenses, and taxes have been subtracted from the sales.

A fast website has the potential to boost the sales and profits of a business by showcasing the benefits of its products and services through text information, photos, videos, testimonials, blog posts, and customer reviews.

5. Business Growth

A website can be instrumental to the overall growth of a business. It can help the team to achieve their goals and objectives in every stage of the marketing and sales process. It can also increase brand awareness and improve the reputation of the company over time. It gives the team more opportunities to establish new professional connections and to strengthen existing customer relationships.

Nevertheless, the general efficacy of a business website in achieving optimal results is largely dependent on its speed. That’s why a business team should ensure that the web host they select can provide fast loading times for their website.

Which Web Host Provides the Fastest Hosting Service

The speed of a website can determine how effective it is in contributing to the success of a business. That’s why you must choose a web host that is capable of providing impressively swift speeds for your business website.

A2 Hosting is the ideal option for startups, reseller agencies, companies, and organizations who need the fastest hosting service for their websites.

Who Is A2 Hosting

A2 Hosting is a website hosting provider that offers up to 20X faster web hosting speeds for businesses. Our high-performance solutions are suitable for everyone in the business industry, ranging from first-timers who wish to develop new blogs to professional developers with high-traffic websites.

A2 Hosting was founded by our CEO Bryan Muthig in 2001 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He utilized his strong technical background as a UNIX systems administrator and his passion for technology to establish a global hosting company.

At present, we have more than 200 hundred teammates and various data centers in 223 countries all over the globe. Our company has provided 120,000 active services and counting to our clients. An estimated 110,000 people have already used A2 Hosting products.

Our mission is to help people to thrive in the online world so that they can succeed in the real world. We harness our skills, knowledge, and resources to make it possible for others to bring their digital visions to life.

A2 Hosting has gained recognition as a reliable hosting provider in the web hosting industry. We have received awards and accolades that highlight the accomplishments of our team as we continue to empower our customers with the best web host solutions.

What Are the Benefits of A2 Hosting Services

These are many reasons why A2 Hosting is superior to other web host providers. These are some of the important advantages of choosing A2 Hosting and our services:

• Faster Speed: We offer up to 20X faster web hosting speed for business websites.
• Better Results: We can help small businesses and agencies gain improved SEO rankings, reduced bounce rates, and increased conversion rates.
• Accessible Customer Service: We provide 24/7/365 technical assistance through our friendly, skilled, and knowledgeable guru crew support team.
• Free Account Migration: We can move your website from your previous web host to A2 hosting for free.
• Risk-free Trial: We offer you a money-back guarantee if you are interested in trying our hosting services.
• Reliable Servers: We commit to 99.9% uptime so you can rest assured about the dependability of our servers.

What Plans Does A2 Hosting Offer

A2 Hosting offers a variety of web hosting packages to suit the multiple needs of our different clients. These are the plans from A2 Hosting that you can choose from:

Shared Web Hosting

The Shared Web Hosting service of A2 Hosting is powered by our top-of-the-line servers. All our servers are optimized for speed. Each server is only limited to a certain number of clients. This industry-leading web hosting service features 20X faster page load times at an affordable cost. You can experience an excellent combination of performance enhancements, resources, and limited occupancy if you subscribe to one of the shared hosting packages.

Here are the pricing plans for Shared Web Hosting:

• Startup: $2.99 USD monthly*
• Drive: $5.99 USD monthly*
• Turbo Boost: $6.99 USD monthly*
• Turbo Max: $12.99 USD monthly*

VPS Hosting

The VPS Hosting service of A2 Hosting features dedicated resources for maximum power. Because you will be allotted your own dedicated resources, you will have the advantage of enhanced server reliability and performance. This cost-effective model allows you to experience the benefits of a BMD server without the price tag. Our plans include 24/7 Guru Support, free SSL Certificates, and free website migrations.

Here are the various VPS Hosting plans with assorted VPS features for different management levels:

Unmanaged VPS Hosting

Unmanaged VPS Hosting allows you to configure the settings and requirements of the server operating system and other software that you plan to run at the server level. Keep in mind that this level of configuration is ideal for people with a high degree of technical skills.

• Runway 1: $4.99 USD monthly*
• Runway 2: $7.99 USD monthly*
• Runway 4: $9.99 USD monthly*
• Supersonic 8: $34.99 USD monthly*
• Supersonic 16: $54.99 USD monthly*
• Supersonic 32: $74.99 USD monthly*

Managed VPS Hosting

Managed VPS features high-level maintenance service from our team. It ensures that your server is regularly upgraded, fixed, and adjusted to increase the security levels of your business website. Managed plans are worth the extra investment because we will efficiently handle all the crucial management tasks on your behalf.

• Lift 4: $39.99 USD monthly*
• Lift 8: $54.99 USD monthly*
• Lift 16: $67.99 USD monthly*
• Mach 8: $59.99 USD monthly*
• Mach 16: $89.99 USD monthly*
• Mach 32: $99.99 USD monthly*

Bare Metal Dedicated Servers

The Bare Metal Dedicated Servers of A2 Hosting will allow you to select between Intel or AMD processors. They also include advanced NVMe storage options for your business website.

Here are the available Bare Metal Dedicated Servers plans:

Unmanaged Bare Metal Dedicated Servers

• Hyper 1: $129.99 USD monthly*
• Hyper 2I: $199.99 USD monthly*
• Hyper 2 Turbo Intel: $219.99 USD monthly*
• Hyper 3 AMD: $509.99 USD monthly*
• Hyper 3 Turbo AMD: $539.99 USD monthly*

Managed Bare Metal Dedicated Servers

• Warp 1: $179.99 USD monthly*
• Warp 2 Intel: $249.99 USD monthly*
• Warp 2 Turbo Intel: $279.99 USD monthly*

Reseller Hosting

The Reseller Hosting service of A2 Hosting enables you to begin your own hosting business. Selling our white-labeled reseller solutions allows you to make income, manage your customers, and run your own hosting company. We will grant you full control of the various aspects of your business. We will utilize servers with AMD EPYC CPUs and NVMEe drives to set up your reseller package.

Here are the Reseller Hosting plans we have available:

• Kickstart: $18.99 USD monthly*
• Turbo Kickstart: $24.99 USD monthly*
• Launch: $24.99 USD monthly*
• Turbo Launch: $32.99 USD monthly*

Turbo Web Hosting

All our web hosting packages have turbo versions for increased power and speed. These are the impressive features of Turbo Web Hosting plans that you can take advantage of:

• LiteSpeed Web Server: It is a speed-enhanced, drop-in web server alternative to Apache. It allows you to experience up to 20X faster page loads.
• NVMe: It is a non-volatile memory express (NVMe) Hosting solution that generates 3X faster read/write speeds.
• HTTP/3: It is a cutting-edge web standard that enables quicker and more stable connections for APIs and websites.
• ESI: Edge Side Includes (ESI) lets you conveniently designate portions of your web page as cacheable or non-cacheable.
• QUIC: Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) is a speed-enhanced alternative to TCP. It minimizes latency by forming multiplexed connections among computers in a network.

Learn more about our Turbo Plans by viewing the turbo options for each type of web hosting package that A2 Hosting offers.

Contact the A2 Hosting Sales Team to Sign Up for the Fastest Hosting Service

Whether you own a reselling agency, startup, or company, a fast website is a powerful marketing tool that allows your business to reach new heights of success. Partnership with the fastest hosting service allows you to transform your site for the better.

A2 Hosting is the best option for you if you are committed to leveling up the speed and security of your business website. Contact our sales team today if you have questions about our exponentially fast web hosting services. Sign up for our web hosting plans to start speeding up your website.

The post Who Has the Fastest Web Hosting? Matching Your Need for Speed appeared first on The A2 Posting.

We recommend security certificates for any websites that collect sensitive information like names, addresses, and credit card numbers. One example of this certificate is the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Apart from keeping consumers safe, search engine giant Google declared SSL’s as a ranking factor in 2014. Naturally, other search engines followed suit.

This article will discuss everything you need to know about having a security certificate on your site — what it is, why you should get one, and how to keep your customers safe. Let’s get right to it.

What Is an SSL?

Until 1999, SSL was the gold standard in internet communications. SSL is a type of technology that keeps internet connections safe. It protects the transfer of sensitive data between two systems by preventing cybercriminals from modifying any information. SSLs make it impossible for hackers to read users’ information during transfer with the help of encryption algorithms that jumble data in transit. These systems can be server-to-client like an e-commerce site and a customer or server-to-server like a cloud to a printer server.

What Is an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is an online verification authenticating a site’s identity, allowing a coded connection between a web server and a web browser. Companies should add such a certificate to their sites to protect customer information.

Developers install these certificates server-side, but visitors will see visual cues that indicate site security. Take note of these signs:

• A website with an HTTPS address instead of HTTP has an SSL certificate.
• Check out the padlock before a website name. If you click on it, you will see this message: Connection is secure. This sign means a company guarantees that no one can intercept or modify the link between the sites. If it is not a secure site, you will see a warning symbol before the address.
• Your antivirus will prevent you from entering an unsecured site. Most of the time, your software sends red flags for websites with no SSL certificates, or expired ones.
• Brands will not likely misspell their domain name. If you notice grammatical errors, it’s probably a scam attempt. For instance, cybercriminals might attempt to steal data from amaz0n.com if they can breach the platform’s security protocols.

Reasons To Get an SSL Certificate

Having a security certificate for website use has taken the digital world by storm. According to recent SSL statistics, an impressive 82.2% of websites use valid certificates — a colossal leap from only 17.8% five years ago.

From being an additional layer of consumer protection, it has become a must-have for most site owners. Businesses of all sizes and industries will benefit from this certification. Below are some reasons why you should have one.

Ensure Visitor Protection

By providing websites with unbreakable encryption, SSL certificates ensure the safety of all site visitors. Without one, hackers can easily target customers’ sensitive data. They eliminate various threats, including man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, and session hijacking.

Promote Subdomain Security

An SSL certificate called Wildcard enables site owners to secure their main site and all subdomains under it with one certification. This feature would greatly benefit organizations using multiple subdomains, eliminating the need to install separate certificates per site.

Provide Authentication

Certificate authorities (CA) sign and issue online certificates, including SSL. Through their signatures, other relying parties can verify a site’s credentials. Some of their tasks include domain and business verification, giving site visitors the confidence to navigate and interact with your platform.

Comply With PCI Requirements

Sites that process credit card payment should comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements. The organization aims to elevate the standards for cardholders worldwide and has declared an SSL certificate a necessity for business websites. Non-compliance on your part may lead to lawsuits, unnecessary penalties, and revenue loss.

Boost SEO Efforts

Like any business, Google wants the best for its clients. For this reason, the company decided to make SSL certification a ranking factor. To increase your online visibility and stand out against uncertified competitors, we recommend getting an SSL certificate.

Speed Up Your Website

Contrary to popular belief, SSL certificates don’t slow websites down but speed them up. Recent technologies gave rise to web servers called HTTP2 that use single connections instead of multiple parallel ones.

Your page load speed should be anywhere between one to two seconds. If it reaches three seconds, 53% of your site visitors will leave. As page load speed is also a Google ranking factor, this feature further boosts your search engine visibility.

Pro tip: A reliable hosting solution can do wonders for your site speed.

Strengthen Brand Image

Few things in life can ruin a brand image faster than a company that doesn’t care about its clients’ safety. While SSL certificates cannot shield sites against all cyber attacks, they protect your customers’ names, addresses, and card information. If you plan on inspiring consumer trust, keep it professional by using an HTTPS site. Strengthen your brand image now with high-security standards.

How To Get an SSL Certificate

You can obtain an SSL through your hosting company! These are the SSL certificates we offer at A2 Hosting:

• Free SSL: Our plans come with free SSL certificates that offer basic website protection, allowing you to establish HTTPS on your websites. While they are just as secure as paid services, many of our clients go for the latter to enjoy benefits like warranties, extended validations (EV), and organization validations (OV).
• Basic SSL: Our Domain Validated (DV) certificates offer a practical solution for industry-standard security up to 256-bit encryption. We can complete this process via email, as long as you prove your domain ownership. These are the most affordable SSL types anywhere in the world.
• Premium SSL: With our OV certificates, you can get up to 256-bit encryption for your site. The verification process for this SSL type is more tedious than applying for a DV certificate. However, you get to enjoy more perks like third-party vouching and a trust badge for your site.
• Advanced SSL: EV certificates offer the highest level of trust and security for consumers — a feature that helps boost sales. If you want a top-of-the-line security option for your enterprise-level or multiple sites, EV certificates are ideal for you. With these certifications, you can enjoy the most recognizable trust indicators.
• Wildcard: This SSL type protects a domain and an unlimited number of subdomains with one certificate. They work like other SSL certificates do, using the same encryption and validation processes. Additionally, you can upgrade your Wildcard SSL to include domain authentication and organizational validation.

Activating SSL certificates offers an extensive range of benefits for your website. The best part is, there are now many options to choose from. Don’t miss out on the HTTPS revolution to enjoy all the advantages that these certifications bring.

Secure Your Site Now

From visitor protection to domain security to being PCI DSS-compliant, a security certificate for website use is one of the most convenient ways to take your business to new heights. It’s one of the best investments you can make to stand out in a sea of competition.

At A2 Hosting, we help clients level up their sites through award-winning hosting and SSL services. Are you ready to boost your digital leads, conversions, and revenues? Get in touch with our guru crew now to begin your journey toward growth.

The post What Happens When You Don’t Have a Security Certificate on Your Site? appeared first on The A2 Posting.

In this article, we talk about what SSL is and how it works in a nutshell. We will also go over the different types of SSLs that may be right for your business needs. Continue reading to learn more about the right SSL for you!

What Does SSL Mean and How Does SSL Work?

SSL stands for “Secure Sockets Layer”. It is a security certificate that enables you to use the HTTPS extension on your site. The use of this extension for your site’s URL is important because it ensures that traffic to and from your site is secure.

An SSL works by encrypting data that travels to and from your site. This includes sensitive data like credit or debit card details. For this reason, you need an SSL to keep transactional data from being grabbed by hackers.

What Are the Different Types of SSLs Available at A2 Hosting?

Not all SSLs are the same and there are many types of them available. Here are some of the most common SSLs available for your business site:

Free SSL Certificates

The free SSL Certificate included in our plans offers basic website protection. It allows you to set up trusted HTTPS on websites for encrypted connections. The protection offered is just as secure as paid certificate options. Having this equipped on your site can do wonders in increasing your credibility amongst your site’s visitors. Of course, because these are free, there are no warranties and they don’t come with some of the nice upgrades that the other types do.

Basic DV

A basic SSL is an easy and affordable way to protect your site. Domain Validated (DV) certificates are a fast and simple way to secure your website with industry-standard up to 256-bit encryption. The process of obtaining one of these SSL certificates couldn’t be easier and is usually handled with just a standard email. A file-based authentication method can also be used and is recommended if you have direct access to the server that hosts your domain name.

In order to receive a DV certificate from one of our trusted Certification Authorities (CAs), all you have to do is prove that you own the domain that you wish to protect. Since no extensive validation process is required, DV certificates are the most affordable type of SSL on the planet.

Premium OV SSL Certificate

If you run an eCommerce business, a premium SSL certificate is an excellent choice. They offer reliable security with organizational validation. Organization Validated certificates, or OV certificates, are a type of SSL technology that offers up to 256-bit encryption to websites of businesses and other registered organizations. The difference between OV certificates and domain validated (DV) certificates is that a little extra vetting is required to confirm that you own your domain and that your organization is registered and real.  As long as your business is registered, the validation process is simple and in most cases only takes a couple of days to complete the validation.

They also offer third-party vouching. The biggest differentiator for an OV certificate is that when you have your organization validated, a trusted third-party online security company is verifying you are a legitimate business. This level of trust that is bestowed on your business means visitors and customers can have trust in your business.

Another added benefit is their trust badges. The purchase of an OV certificate comes with a dynamic site seal that contains verified and time-stamped information about your company. This is an additional measure to ensure consumer confidence and build an extra layer of trust in your site.

Wildcard SSLs

These SSL certificates are generally more affordable than premium SSL certificates. Nonetheless, the protection they give your site data is still comparable to that of a premium SSL certificate. Wildcard SSL certificates allow site owners to register more than one subdomain on a single certificate. They secure your site and each of your subdomains just like a normal SSL certificate while using identical encryption and validation methods for enhanced security. In addition to being able to consolidate all of your subdomains under a single SSL Certificate, our Wildcard SSLs offer a number of additional options including Domain Authentication and Organizational Validation.

The functionality and affordability of wildcard SSLs have made them a popular choice for startups and larger online businesses.

Advanced EV SSL Certificates

Get the highest level of trust and security to boost your sales and stay protected with advanced EV SSLs. EV certificates are the top-of-the-line SSL option. In addition to encrypting your website and safely protecting user information, they also come with a variety of premium features that boost trust and give your presence legitimacy.  EV certificates do this is by displaying your verified company details in all major browsers, giving visitors and customers immediate trust in your site. Before an EV certificate is issued, your Certificate Authority (CA) must first complete a thorough validation process to ensure that you’re a legitimate business.

One top feature is their dynamic trust indicators. With an EV SSL certificate, your product comes with the highest-valued, most recognizable trust indicators.  Your visitors will instantly recognize that you’re a legitimate and verified business. Users on major browsers will see the Verified Company Name when clicking on the padlock symbol with your browser showing a green address bar for EV SSL.

With immediate visibility, anyone on your site will know that you’re safe to do business with – resulting in higher trust and more conversions and sales.  Procurement of an EV SSL on your site is a demonstration to your customers that you’re investing in the best possible protection.

Get the Right SSL for Your Site at A2 Hosting!

Your site needs the right kind of SSL certificate. But, which one is right for you?  If you are not sure about which to get, reach out to us at A2 Hosting! Our plans include all of the mentioned SSL certificates above and we can help walk you through choosing the right one for your site!.

The post What is an SSL and Which One Is Right For You? appeared first on The A2 Posting.