It was found that 1 in every 10 URL is malicious. Since a couple of years, Google is working towards making the web a safer place by encouraging HTTPS protocol in websites.
Google lately made HTTPS protocol compulsory for every site with the release of Chrome 68. It was done to assure users that an SSL certificate secures the website and they are visiting a secured website.
But why is it so necessary for every website? Before we discuss that, let us know what an SSL certificate is.
What Is An SSL Certificate?
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is a protocol to encrypt data transfer and reception between a web server and a web browser.
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Website hosting servers install SSL Certificates to implement the SSL protocol and ensure confidentiality of the transferred data.
Once the website gets SSL certificates, a lock icon starts appearing next to the URL in the address bar. It shows that the data of your visitors will not be misused by attackers.
A site must have SSL, especially if it processes financial transactions or uses credit card info. However, it is now mandatory for every site to have the certificate.
What Is The Importance Of An SSL Certificate?
Here is why:
- Boosts Website Security: As already mentioned, SSL certificates will encrypt the connection and protect the sensitive data transmitted from your website. It includes signups, logs in details, addresses, payment details, or personal information.
- Secures Subdomains: Large websites can protect themselves their several subdomains with a specific type of SSL certificate known as a Wildcard.
- Builds Credibility for your Customers: A website with SSL certificate is displayed with a security padlock in the address bar of the browser. This will help you gain visitors’ trust.
- Adds SEO Benefit: Google gives a slight rankings boost to websites with encrypted connections.
Although SSL certificate is an essential component, many end-users and organizations procrastinate its adoption. It could be because of its price and the complexity involved in implementation.
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However, several initiatives have been made to provide an SSL certificate for free and without any hassle.
Which Are The Top SSL Certificate Generators?
Here is the list of 12+ free SSL certificate generators you must check if haven’t got one:
LetsEncrpyt
Offered by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), LetsEncrypt is an automated and open certificate authority (CA). It is run for the benefit of the public and is therefore offered for free.
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It has a number of attractive features, such as it securely configures SSL for use, and offers auto-renewal. Also, the certificates issued or revoked are available for inspection.
WoSign
With WoSign Free SSL Certificates, you can secure your website without coding. This is a fully functional Domain name validation SSL certificate. It is issued by the root named “WoSign CA Free SSL Certificate”.
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The Free SSL Certificate supports a single domain name. In case you want to add more domains, you have to pay USD1.99/year for each domain. The Free SSL Certificate is issued by “WoSign CA Free SSL Certificate G2”, and the charged SSL is issued by “WoSign Class 1 DV Server CA G2”.
Cloudflare
Cloudflare is an Internet performance and security company that offers SSL protection free of charge.
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Any Internet property can become HTTPS-enabled with a single click. Also, the Cloudflare SSL certificates never expire as they are updated with the latest SSL vulnerabilities.
It offers different modes of operations:
- Flexible SSL: In this mode, traffic is encrypted from Cloudflare to end users of your website, but not from Cloudflare to your origin server.
- Full SSL: This mode encrypts traffic from end-users to Cloudflare and from Cloudflare to your origin server. For this, your origin server requires an SSL certificate.
SSL For Free
Powered by ZeroSSL, SSL For Free offers free 90-day certificates. You can create one or multiple free SSL certificates with this tool.
It is super easy to create an SSL certificate with SSL For Free. You have to enter your website name in the given box, which will take you to the registration page.
Once you fill-up the details, it will generate a private key. If you are using a modern browser that supports Web Cryptography, the SSL provider will generate a private key in your browser through the Web Cryptography API.
The key is never transmitted and is deleted off your browser after the certificate generation.
In case, your browser doesn’t support the Web Cryptography API the SSL provider generates a key on the server. It uses the latest version of OpenSSL and outputted over SSL, which is never stored.
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If you use a supported browser for client generation, you can expect better security. While using manual verification, you can also provide your own CSR where the private key is handled independently by you.
Comodo
Comodo is the best place to get a free SSL certificate for 90 days with no cost or commitment. With free SSL, you can prevent the display of warning messages when visitors view your website. Also, it shows the gold padlock for security assurance.
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It is compatible with almost all browsers, offers fast validation, and gives 2048-bit of encryption level, next-generation SSL certificate.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a popular publicly traded Internet domain registrar and web hosting company, you already know about. It offers 30 days free trial for any certificate chosen.
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You can secure either single or multiple domains with GoDaddy. All of its certificates include Strong SHA-2 and 2048-bit encryption, FREE SSL Checker and Malware Checker, and unlimited servers and reissues.
Besides, it also covers all the major browsers and mobile devices.
GoGetSSL
GoGetSSL is a public SSL certificate provider that provides a 90-day free trial for SSL certificates. Within five minutes, you can get your domain validated that too, without any call-back, paperwork, or company verification.
It supports 99.9% browser and mobile. This trial is offered before the real purchase to test cert’s functionality.
The certificates are issued by leading providers like Sectigo, RapidSSL, Thawte, DigiCert, and GeoTrust.
With Extended Validation certificates, you get instant and more trust via the green address bar with your verified company name.
GeoTrust
GeoTrust offers SSL certificates free of cost for 30 days. Backed by DigiCert, the industry leader in TLS/SSL certificates, GeoTrust validates domain control up to 256-bit encryption and 2048-bit root.
You can easily install it and get issuance within minutes. Also, you get free reissues after before certificate expiry.
It supports all the leading browsers and mobile devices.
Basic SSL
Basic SSL is a top-rated SSL provider for issuing a highly secured SSL certificate that is offered free for 90 days.
Free Trial SSL is fully automated, and domain validated. So, you will be able to protect your e-commerce, logins, and any web page in just a couple of minutes.
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The free plan activates the browser padlock and HTTPS and gives your customers a peaceful user experience.
With 99% browser compatibility, it also offers unlimited server license, reissues, and key pairs.
Instant SSL
Instant SSL can secure your site for 30 days for free. The free trial plan called Domain Validation UCC Certificate Secures multiple domain names and IP addresses with a single, convenient certificate.
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This also supports major browsers and issues unlimited server licensing, and re-issuance.
Hostinger
Hostinger is another SSL certificate generator that offers a 30 days trial. You can get support for one domain, but the encryption level is powerful with up to 256-bit encryption.
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However, the level of security varies with the plan chosen, which could be standard or professional.
With the certificate, you will get a green lock in the address bar.
Thawte
Thawte is also powered by DigiCert to provide robust authentication and encryption.
It is nearly 100% compatible with browsers and provides up to 256-bit encryption strength.
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If you make changes or upgrade your server, you can reissue your certificate without any extra charge.
ZeroSSL
Secure your site with ZeroSSL for free for 90 days. You can issue and renew free 90-day SSL certificates in just 5 minutes. Plus, you can automate SSL certificate using ACME integrations and a fully-fledged REST API.
Within a few seconds, new and existing SSL certificates are approved using one-step email validation, server uploads or CNAME verification.
Conclusion
Security is becoming a more and more vital issue for site owners with each passing day.
On the same page, internet users are also becoming concerned about the possibility of their personal data theft.
Therefore, website security is a decisive factor nowadays whether they would visit a site or not.
The list of free SSL certificate generators above gives you plenty of options to choose the best one for your site.
Pick one and get a label of the secured site to offer safer user experience and match Google Chrome’s parameters.
