Http stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is a protocol used in the world of internet to define as to what actions will the World Wide Web take when messages are sent from one end. Whenever a message is sent by a user, how will it be formatted and where and how will it be transmitted over the internet is decided by its HTTP. All the data transfer or data communication takes over the World Wide Web is basically governed by HTTP. Introduced in 1990, its first version was called HTTP/0.9 and it was a very basic protocol which served the purpose of simply transfer data. Since then a lot of version have come up. The latest version is HTTP/1.1. Http basically provides a standardized way of defining what that whenever a client(which can be browsers , editors, spiders) sends data to a server how will it be formatted and then in turn how will the server respond to that particular data request. Http connections are usually using TCP/IP connections with TCP 80 [19] being the default port.

Http protocol is a connectionless and hence a stateless and generic protocol. Whenever a client sends a data request to a server a connection is set up between the two but soon after the request is sent the connection is broken. To send information back from the server to the client a new connection is set up again.

Now it has been observed that when a web browser and a server interacted with each other using http as a language it became unsafe particularly when the information which was being exchanged was sensitive like bank details or credit card details etc. Hence arose a requirement of a safer alternative or a safer version of http where no “packet sniffers” could potentially take advantage of the information exchange. For the same purpose https was developed.

Https stands for Http Secure, or to be more specific, Http over SSL (Secure Socket Layer). It is not a new protocol but might be seen as http protocol using a sub layer of SSL. The security property of SSL(Secure Socket Layer) and TLS(Transport Layer Security) is used as a sub layer along with Http to provide a very safe and secure medium of information transaction over the internet.

The technology of Encryption is used in Https. When any data is sent from one end it is encrypted so that if at all it is intercepted on its way, it remains secure and cannot be deciphered or understood. This way the data is communicated securely over the internet and is decrypted on the other intended end only. Whenever the website involved uses any consumer data that is sensitive like banking details or online purchasing it is always advised to use https to avoid the data getting into wrong hands. When a client uses https he is ensured of two things. Firstly it ensures that he is dealing with the right server and not a middle man and secondly that all the communication is secure and there will be no eavesdropping. Https uses Port 443 while interacting with its lower layers, unless otherwise specified. A secure website will display a padlock icon in the address bar and also its URL will start with https://. Generally an https website is slower as compared to http. Https uses public and private keys to validate servers and users. Cryptographically signed certificates are used to verify the servers. To have an https website you need an SSL certificate which will authenticate the online identity of the website and will make a unique scrambled connection each time a shopper logs on to provide a safe and secure environment to exchange information.

SSL implementation has become a major topic, as Google announced to use SSL as an index ranking signal. The sites which are not using SSL will be considered insecure and unreliable. It is advised to apply recommended modification to site while beginning to serve page over SSL. Owing to ranking advantage and attention to security and privacy, many content management system users has started to implement SSL. It can be considered a positive move in direction of secure web. But unless the websites are fully configured, user will not be able to get website’s secure pages through search engines and will miss SEO benefit. According to Google’s revelation 80% websites have misconfigured SSL implementations and it revealed that 80% of HTTPs URL was not included because the crawlers could not become able to locate the pages.

The retailer of SSL certificates recommends that users who are willing to implement SSL on their sites must be aware of the SEO consequences.

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Ports 25, 26 blocking

E-mail ports 25 are the ports which are mainly used to send e-mails. It is unsecured and thus it is blocked by many of the ISP’s (Internet Service Providers), so that the amount of spam which is sent from their networks should be cut down. It allows you to block the mails and due to this your mail cannot be send to the other party. It is like, when you try to send mails and if they are blocked by E-mail ports 25, then you may get an error or message in your outbox. This happens because all the mails send between e-mail client and e-mail server via web or internet and is routed through E-mail ports 25,which serves as a medium or channel between them. Now a day’s E-mail ports 25 blocking becomes an industry standard. Instead of the remote SMTP server or a SMTP server running on your computer, SMTP server is needed by the ISP’s to block E-mail ports 25. Look at the few ISP’s who block E-mail ports 25 they are BellSouth MSN, Comcast, NetZero, Charter, Cable One, People PC etc. With E-mail ports 25, there is another E-mail ports 26 also available and If you want to change E-mail ports 25 to E-mail ports 26, then you are required to change your e-mail software and outgoing SMTP E-mail ports settings.

Port 587 allowed by Comcast

Port 587 is a port which is recommended by industries and it is supported by Comcast. Port 587 is mainly used for sending mails to others. The protocols which are used with the port are ESMTP (SMTP-MTA, ESMTP) but there are few additions and restrictions are also there. Even it is suggested to use port-587 instead of port-25 for e-mail client and server’s configuration.

Ports allowed in mail servers

If we talk about E-mail servers, then there are two kinds of mail servers, one is Incoming mail server used for receiving e-mails from others in your inbox and related with your e-mail address account and it cannot be more than one. Now another one named as Outgoing mail server which is mainly used for sending mails to others through your outbox.

After understanding about mail servers, now next question arises in our mind “What are E-mail ports”. In terms of networking, E-mail ports may be defined as an endpoint to a logical connection. The E-mail ports which are allowed in the mail servers are different for both the mail servers i.e. for incoming mail server and for outgoing mail server. Mainly in the case of incoming servers, POP3, HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), IMAP E-mail ports are allowed and for outgoing mail servers, SMTP (Simple mail transfer protocol) E-mail ports is used for sending mails. Now every E-mail ports have a no., which is mainly used for its identification and to know its type. Here come few default e-mails E-mail ports, which are allowed in mail servers with their E-mail ports no. SMTP – E-mail ports 25, HTTP – E-mail ports 80, Secure IMAP (IMAP4-SSL) – E-mail ports 585, IMAP4 over SSL (IMAPS) – E-mail ports 993, POP3 – E-mail ports 110, IMAP – E-mail ports 143, Secure SMTP (SSMTP) – E-mail ports 465, Secure IMAP (IMAP4-SSL) – E-mail ports 585, Secure POP3 (SSL-POP) – E-mail ports 995.

Difference between Port- 465 & Port- 587

Port-465 and Port-587 both are used for sending e-mails and this is the similarity between them. But there are some differences also between them.

Port 465 is mainly used for sending e-mails, i.e. it is allowed in outgoing mail servers and it is for SMTP (Simple mail transfer protocol). Before any level of SMTP communication is started, SSL encryption is automatically started. Without any verification, Standard SMTP port accepts e-mails from other mail servers.

Port 587 is used for msa, which is very much like standard SMTP port. If your server provides support, STARTTLS command at SMTP level may start SSL encryption. MSA restricted the outgoing of e-mails in the form of spam when net masters of DUL ranges can block outgoing connections to SMTP port. MSA also accept e-mails after verification e.g. after SMTP authentication.

How to get a SSL certificate??? Visit  trusted SSL certificate providers now

Security is the most sensitive word of modern times. Be it your office or home, you always wants to be under the armour of security. Then why not let your customers have a secure web experience. Web security is always threatened by viruses like trojans and hackers who are always seeking opportunities to know you account related usernames and passwords. Thus, if you are a website owner, you must be aware of the fact that if your website is not certified with a SSL certificate it is not considered to be reliable. Customers are sceptic to visit any uncertified website and your website popularity will not reach its top without being trusted. Give your customers a secure web experience with a certificate from any of the trusted SSL certificate providers.

A SSL is a protocol that checks whether your website is secure or not. Whenever a user enters any URL on the web browser, the web browser sents request via the SSL protocol to verify the security of the url. If your website is not SSL certified, the same will be reflected on your browser screen. There are many trusted SSL certificate providers from where you can get the same without much hassle.

These trusted SSL certificate providers not only helps you in winning the trust of your customers but also in keeping your website secure,that is, it performs two tasks together. You get online tutorials from these certificate providers where you can learn how to apply for a security certificate and how you can attach the certificate on your website. These service providers are very interactive and supportive and come with excellent responsive websites where you can check their charges, cost of an online certificate and even has the facility of online live chat where you can speak to the consultants and clarify your doubts.

Last but not the least; let us know how these trusted SSL certificate providers work. After getting a request from an entity to verify its details and regard it as a trusted website, the certificate provider verifies the entity and checks whether the entity is really what it claims to be. After verification, the next step is to process a public key using the CA’s private key. After the completion if this step, the website is included in the list of trusted websites of the web browser. The certificate providers already have trusted certificate authorities, known as CAs enlisted and hence the verification certificate issued by these authorities is automatically accepted by web browsers. This enlistment of CAs is known as root CAs of web browsers.

Thus, it is of no doubt that trusted SSL certificate providers play an important role in making your website popular and gain positive reviews. If you are running an ecommerce website, these certificates are a must for you. Customers will never pay on your website via their credit or debit cards if you do not have a certificate attached to your website. Thus, if you are new to the web business or your certificate has expired, immediately visit such a certificate provider and let your business flourish.

Now you can use an affordable ssl certificate to raise the security of the website while exchanging information between web browser and web server. When you purchase an affordable ssl certificate you have to get it validated and there are only tree methods in doing so.

SSL (secure socket layer) certificates are necessary when website owners want to do better for their Google search engine rankings. Domains.co.za highlighted recent announcement of Google that it would emphasize on sites which is secured with SSL certificates which is a part of company’s drive for Safer Worldwide Web. SSL-secured sites will get higher ranking in Google search than unsecured websites. The website which is not protected via SSL certification has ‘Insecure’ status which will be seen by Google Chrome users.

SSL certificate is a kind of encrypted online data that is being sent or received during navigation of websites by Internet users. This data has some confidential information like telephone numbers and credit card details. A secure connection is created between the user’s computer and the server so that specific website is hosted to give relaxation to the customers. SSL certificate not only provide protection to the customer’s personal data but also establishes a great regard for the company. Price of SSL certificates has been reduced over the years. Many companies are using certificates costing at Rs.250 per year. Some hosting companies charge for the SSL certificates installation, installation at no charge is received by client hosting with Domains.co.za. Non-clients can purchase certificates from Domains.co.za and current hosting companies install the certificates.

Organizational validation process

Information of a particular business is checked from various sources. This is carried out just verify the name of the business and who operates the business. This information is compared to the details that are provided during the registration of the company. another safety measure is taken to see that the details provided are same as on the business listings from the local sources. If the all of the details match the company is then issued an affordable ssl certificate. This will provide a platform for the general public to view information that will help them to find out about the identity of the particular business. As a user you will see a logo that will say that the website is verified by SSL.

Domain validation process

This is considered one of the cheapest methods to verify an affordable ssl certificate. This process is carried out at a domain level. The process is initiated by sending an email to the account that is linked with the domain. Now by sending an email does not always imply that the person is the rightful owner of the business. A phone can also be placed to verify the whether the person is the owner of the business. When the certificate is issued using this method it means that there is high chance that this business is legal and has been verified properly. as a user you will find a specific logo on your browser that will indicate this fact.

Extended Validation method

This method too has gained a lot of popularity over years when it comes to validating an affordable ssl certificate. As a user you will notice a green logo and he name of the business that will appear in the address bar or the browser, this simply means that the company has been verified and is safe to do business with.The owner of the business is contacted to make sure that all of the information supplied is real. After the process is done the business can expect to get an affordable ssl certificate within two weeks.

Some other additional information that may be needed

You can also use a self signed certificate but this is not good as people will not do business with you  as they will think that your company will cheat them. If you use this method a warning will be posted on your website telling people that they may proceed at their own risk.

Now there are many companies out there that carryout the verification process and issues a certificate but most of them charge a lot of money. So use the internet to look up names of companies that issue affordable ssl certificate without much problems.

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Worried about How to renew an expired SSL certificate…check out some easy ways

No one can deny the fact that our main concern when we visit online websites enter our credit and debit card details for net banking or online shopping or share our photos and videos on social networking sites is security. Since the advent of internet and its popularity we have been threatened by hackers and security issues. The best way to curve these issues would have been never to share our personal and professional data online; but that is not possible for us.

The first thing that hits our mind is that what a SSL certificate is. To explain in brief, we all know that when we enter any webpage URL in our browser, the browser instantly asks for a certificate of secure page. The web server enters its public key with its certificate and then the browser checks whether the certificate is from a trusted party and if it from a trusted party opens the page. This complete work is done via a protocol known as the Secure Socket Layer Protocol. Websites must renew their certificates after each period of time after the validity of their certificate expires, else it will be tough for them to continue business in the web world.

Some of us who are new bees in the web world are not aware about How to renew an expired SSL certificate. The steps are very easy and you will always find online FAQs related to the same. You may need to generate a new CSR for the purpose. The first step that you need to follow is that you must log in your “DigiCert Management Console.” You get a “My Orders” tab from where you need to select the renew button and enter your certificate details. The console quickly verifies your details and checks whether you have made any alterations in your existing details in the CSR. If you have made any changes, you need to provide a documentation of the same as well. After approval, the certificate is sent to the certificate contact through email or may even download the same in your console. The part of getting a new certificate ends here.

The next step is to install the certificate in your website. It is always advised to install the new certificate properly prior to uninstalling the old certificate. You should always keep the backup of the original system generated and self signed certificate. The removal of the same makes your website unstable. While renewing this certificate, you must keep in mind that you have to renew it upto 90 days before expiration.

Most of the multinational organizations are heavily dependant on web for their daily interactions with their employees and clients, we are most of the times not in a position to keep regular contact with our friends and relatives due to job pressure and hence we need to socialize online; and last but not the last, the tempting online shopping is too tough to be avoided. Thus, keeping all our needs and wishes in mind, SSL certificate has been developed to secure us and hence its renewal is very crucial to keep your website running without any hindrance.