SSL Certificates are SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates that authenticate websites and allow them to switch from HTTP to HTTPS encryption, protecting the exchange of valuable information visitors send to or receive from a website.
There are three types of SSL certificates, each providing a different level of security. If your website needs to process personal user data, then be sure to understand the SSL certificate types.
Authentication
SSL certificates verify clients that owns the domain. This prevents domain attacks and spoofs.
Encryption
SSL/TLS encryption is possible via the public-and-private key pairing that facilitates SSL certificates. Clients get the public key to open a TLS connection from the server's SSL certificate.
HTTPS
SSL certificates are required for the HTTPS web address. HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP) appear on websites that have traffic encrypted by SSL/TLS. Plus, in addition to securing user data, HTTPS displays a credible "trust factor" from the perspective of the site visitor.