What is an SSL certificate?

SSL in an acronym for "Secure Socket Layer". A SSL certificate is a file that it installed on a web server that allows, among others:

• the authentication of the server, due to the validation made by the Certification Authority (Gandi).
• to secure the transmission and integrity of data that is sent between the website's visitor and the server.

When you choose to activate a SSL certificate on your server, you must answer a series of questions to prove both the identity of your website and that of your company. Your web server will create 2 encrypted digital keys: one public, and one private.

The private key remains secret and you must not divulge it to anyone. The public key is provided in what is called a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) which is a series of characters that contain your information. This CSR will be provided to you you during the generation of your Gandi certificate.

As an authority, Gandi will validate, after performing the necessary checks, the validity of your certificate with web browsers, which will thereafter recognize your certificate and authorize the use of an encrypted connection.

For more information concerning Gandi's SSL certificates, please refer to our online documentation.