SSL provides endpoint authentication and communications privacy over the Internet using cryptography. In typical use, only the server is authenticated (i.e. its identity is ensured) while the client remains unauthenticated; mutual authentication requires public key infrastructure (or PKI) deployment to clients. The protocols allow client/server applications to communicate in a way designed to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery.
Basically this means that any credit card information the customer enters on your site is encrypted before being sent to the financial institution for processing. If you do not have an SSL installed on your website the information could be intercepted and read by someone who could then use the credit card information maliciously.
Some hosting companies offer shared SSL, this is not a true SSL as it is shared between many websites. When you go to a website with a shared SSL, a popup appears warning that there is a problem with the security certificate, this is because the SSL is not registered for that particular website, it is shared between many websites. This does not inspire confidence with your customers, when it comes to entering their credit card details online.
If you are serious about your ecommerce site and want your clients to feel secure spending money online, you require a dedicated SSL that is setup for your website on a dedicated IP address. That way you can guatantee the security of the customers information that is sent accross the internet.
Cyberhost can supply your total eCommerce solution, or any part thereof :
1. Domain Name Registration
2. Hosting Packages with SSL
3. eCommerce Shopping Cart Development
