Why HTTPS is Important

An HTTPS Certificate confirms the identity of the website, in addition to providing encryption services for information entered into the HTTPS website or page.

HTTPS Certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CA). These companies ensure guidelines are followed to issue an HTTPS Certificate to a website. Documentation requirements differ for Certificate Authorities, but most will require company identification such as principal officers, business physical address, a copy of your company's Articles of Incorporation, and a signature of an authority representative of the company. Be sure to check with the CA you've selected for their requirements, and be sure to allow enough time as you made need to get some of the documentation together to submit for an HTTPS Certificate.

The CA provides digital certificates that have both a public key and a private key. The public key can be seen by website visitors and includes information to identify the owner of the website.

The private key is only provided to the website owner to automatically encrypt data that is entered into the secure website or page.

By issuing an HTTPS Certificate, the Certificate Authority is assuring website visitors that the website is actually who they say they are (such as the information really does go to https://www.mydomain.com rather than http://acompletely different domain.com)

As you are contacting Certificate Authorities, be sure to ask questions so that you understand their service and what you are paying for.