How to Tell if a Website Has an SSL Certificate

Online security is more important than ever.

One key aspect of website security is the use of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates.

An SSL certificate encrypts data transmitted between a website and its visitors, protecting sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details from being intercepted by hackers.

So, how can you tell if a website has an SSL certificate?

There are several clear indicators to look for. Knowing how to check for an SSL certificate is an essential skill for anyone who spends time online, whether you’re an everyday internet user or a website owner yourself.

Check the URL for HTTPS

The easiest way to tell if a website has an SSL certificate is to look at the URL in your web browser’s address bar.

If the URL starts with “https://” instead of just “http://”, that means the site is secured with an SSL certificate. The “s” in “https” stands for “secure.”

For example:

Insecure website URL: http://www.example.com
SSL-secured website URL: https://www.example.com

Most modern web browsers also display a padlock icon next to the URL to visually indicate that a site has an SSL certificate.

In Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, you’ll see a locked padlock icon when a site is SSL-secured. If a site is not secure, you’ll see an unlocked padlock or an “i” in a circle.

Browser	SSL-Secured Icon	Insecure Icon
Chrome	Locked padlock	i in a circle
Firefox	Locked padlock	Unlocked padlock
Edge	Locked padlock	Unlocked padlock
Safari	Locked padlock	Unlocked padlock

Tip: Be cautious of sites with URLs that have “https” misspelled, like “htps” or “htts”. Scammers sometimes use these tricks in phishing attempts to make a malicious site appear secure.

Verify SSL Certificate Details

To dive deeper into a site’s SSL security, you can inspect the certificate itself.

This allows you to verify the identity of the organization operating the website and check that the certificate is valid and up-to-date.

Here’s how to check SSL certificate details in popular browsers:

Chrome

Click the padlock icon in the address bar
Click “Connection is secure”
Click “Certificate is valid”

Firefox

Click the padlock icon in the address bar
Click the right arrow next to the site’s name
Click “More Information”
Go to the “Security” tab
Click “View Certificate”

Safari

Click the padlock icon in the address bar
Click “Show Certificate”
Check certificate details in the popup window

When examining an SSL certificate, confirm the following:

The certificate is issued to the organization you expect
The certificate issuer is a trusted certificate authority (like DigiCert, Comodo, Symantec, GoDaddy, GlobalSign, etc.)
The certificate covers the domain name in the URL
The certificate is valid and not expired

Warning: An expired SSL certificate no longer provides encryption and is a red flag that a site may be vulnerable or compromised.

Use an Online SSL Checker Tool

Another way to check if a website has an SSL certificate is to use an online SSL checker tool. These tools analyze a site’s SSL configuration and certificate details. Some popular free SSL checker tools include:

To use an online SSL checker:

Go to the SSL checker website
Enter the URL of the site you want to check
Click “Check” or “Submit”
Review the results to see the site’s SSL status and certificate details

Online SSL checkers provide an easy way to quickly test if any website has a valid SSL certificate without having to inspect the URL or certificate yourself. This is especially helpful if you need to check multiple sites.

Why SSL Certificates Matter

So why is it important to know how to tell if a website has an SSL certificate?

SSL certificates play a critical role in internet security and privacy. Here are the key reasons to make sure a site is SSL-secured before interacting with it:

Encryption Protects Your Data

The primary purpose of an SSL certificate is to encrypt data sent between your device and the website. Without SSL, information you submit through a site, like login credentials, financial details, or private messages, could potentially be intercepted and read by hackers on the network. SSL encrypts this data so that even if a malicious actor captures it, they won’t be able to decipher it.

SSL Verifies Site Identity

An SSL certificate also serves to authenticate a website’s identity. Certificate authorities only issue SSL certificates after verifying the organization requesting the certificate actually owns and operates the site. This helps combat phishing scams and spoofed websites pretending to be legitimate businesses in order to steal user information.

SSL is Required for Compliance

For websites that handle especially sensitive data, like ecommerce stores processing payment information, having an SSL certificate is more than a best practice – it’s a requirement. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) mandates that any site accepting credit card payments must have a valid SSL certificate to protect cardholder data.

SSL Boosts SEO and Credibility

Having an SSL certificate can also benefit a website’s search engine optimization (SEO) and credibility with users. Google has stated that SSL is a ranking signal, so SSL-secured sites may get a slight boost in search results. And the visible indicators of SSL in the URL and padlock icon serve as trust signals to visitors that a site is safe and reputable.

Implementing SSL on Your Website

If you run your own website, it’s essential to implement SSL not only for security, but also to reassure visitors your site is trustworthy. The process of getting an SSL certificate varies depending on your hosting provider and the type of certificate you need. However, the general steps are:

Purchase an SSL certificate from a certificate authority or your hosting company
Activate the certificate on your hosting account
Install the certificate on your website
Update your site to use HTTPS URLs
Set up HTTP to HTTPS redirects

Many hosting providers today offer free SSL certificates and streamlined setup through services like Let’s Encrypt. For example, Bluehost, a popular web host, makes it easy to install a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate on WordPress sites with just a few clicks.

If your site handles sensitive data or you need the highest level of security, you may opt for a premium SSL certificate. Paid certificates offer additional features like extended validation, warranty protection, and dedicated customer support. Talk to your hosting provider about which SSL options are right for your website’s needs.

Key Takeaways

Learning how to tell if a website has an SSL certificate is a fundamental skill for staying safe online. To recap, here are the main things to remember:

Look for “https://” and a locked padlock icon in the URL to quickly identify an SSL-secured site
Inspect the SSL certificate details to verify the certificate’s validity and site ownership
Use an online SSL checker tool to easily test any site’s SSL status
SSL protects transmitted data, authenticates websites, and is required for PCI DSS compliance
SSL can also improve a site’s search ranking and credibility
Website owners should implement SSL through their hosting provider

By following these guidelines, you can browse the web with greater peace of mind and ensure your own website meets current security standards. In our connected digital world, SSL is no longer optional – it’s essential.