Q: What
is SSL (Netscape encryption)?
A: As an add-on feature, RSH Web Services
offers Secure Socket Layer (SSL), also referred to as "Netscape
encryption." SSL allows a Web browser to securely communicate with your
virtual server through an encrypted session. SSL is often used to transfer
credit card numbers and other sensitive information.
Q: What
does a Digital Certificate do?
A: A server uses a Digital Certificate to
prove its authenticity. The Digital Certificate establishes a legal
relationship between a legitimate company and their Web site.
Q: What
is the cost for SSL?
A: That depends on which option you
choose, and which type of virtual server you have. If you have a 150 meg
virtual server, there is a one-time setup fee of $60 for SSL. The $60 setup
fee does not apply to the 300, 400 and 1000 meg virtual server, both of which come
pre-installed with SSL.
You can use the safe server certificate for your virtual hosts, for a
one-time setup fee of $25.
Or you can order your own certificate from either VeriSign or Thawte.
If you choose to order your own certificate, the prices vary depending on
which service provider you choose. Currently, the cost of purchasing a Digital
Certificate from VeriSign is $349 for the first year and $249 for each year
thereafter. For Thawte, the cost is $125 for the first year and $100 for each
year thereafter. Because their prices are subject to change, you should visit
these service providers’ Web sites for up-to-date pricing:
VeriSign Pricing: http://www.verisign.com/server/tupg/index.html
Thawte Pricing: http://www.thawte.com/pricing.html
Q: How
do I activate SSL?
A: In order to activate SSL, simply change
the URL to read "https" instead of "http."
Q: Can
I transfer my certificate over from another provider?
A: If your certificate was generated
on the Stronghold software, we may be able to install it for you; however, we
cannot guarantee that it will work.
More often than not, you will have to go to your certificate issuing authority
and have the certificate re-issued for a fee.
Q: Can
I use a separate SSL certificate for my virtual host?
A: No. You can only have one
certificate on your server, which can only be used for your main domain. If
your virtual host requires SSL, we recommend that you upgrade them to their
own Virtual Server.
There is, however, an exception to this. The wildcard certificate that RSH Web
Services uses, safe server is good for all the domains on your server.
Q: Why
does my browser say there are secure and non-secure items on my page?
A: This usually happens when you link
to graphics or other resources on other web sites, using non-SSL connections.
Banner ads and counters are among more common elements you may add to your
site from other sites.
Since the link to the offsite elements is most likely using http instead of
https, your browser informs you that these elements are not encrypted.
You may be able to replace http with https when linking to these elements;
check with the site providing the element to see if they support SSL.
You can also advise visitors that they can tell their browsers to show
non-secure elements. This will not affect the security of any data connections
between you and your visitors; credit card information, passwords, and other
sensitive data will still be encrypted.