An SSL certificate is the small file installed on your web server that encrypts the connection between visitors and your site. The browser shows a padlock icon and your URL starts with https:// instead of http://. Without it the browser flags your site as "Not secure" in big letters.
What encryption actually prevents
When data flows over plain http, anyone on the same network (a coffee-shop wifi, a malicious ISP, a corporate proxy) can read it. That includes login passwords, contact form submissions, credit card numbers and session cookies. SSL/TLS encrypts the entire conversation so even if someone intercepts the traffic, they get gibberish.
Three types of SSL certificate
- Domain Validated (DV) - proves you control the domain. Issued in minutes. Free via Let's Encrypt and AutoSSL on every Trinico Cloud hosting plan.
- Organisation Validated (OV) - proves the company exists and trades. The CA verifies your business registration. Takes 1 to 3 days. The browser bar shows your company name in the certificate details.
- Extended Validation (EV) - the most rigorous check. Used by banks and large e-commerce sites. Takes a week or so to issue.
Do you need a paid SSL?
For most websites, the free DV certificate from Let's Encrypt does exactly the same job as a paid DV - same encryption, same padlock. Choose paid SSL when you need OV/EV validation, when you want a warranty in the small print, or when your industry (banking, large e-commerce) expects it.
Hosting (free SSL included) See paid SSL certificates
Mixed content warnings
Once you install SSL, make sure your site loads everything over https - images, scripts, fonts. If a single image still loads over http, the browser shows a "mixed content" warning and the padlock disappears. Most CMS plugins fix this automatically; ours can do it for you on request.
Need a hand?
The Trinico Cloud team is in South Africa and replies during local business hours. Reach us via WhatsApp, e-mail or a support ticket - whichever suits you best.
