Online security has become a major concern for everyone who uses the internet today. With the increasing use of online transactions, ensuring that the data transmitted over the internet is secured is important. One way to ensure online security is by using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption.
SSL is a standard security protocol used to establish an encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. SSL certificates provide a way to verify the identity of a website and ensure that any data transmitted between the web server and the browser is protected from interception or tampering. It is necessary to install an SSL certificate for most websites and you can get an SSL certificate from various authenticated SSL providers.
Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers and it includes built-in features that allow you to check the SSL certificate of a website. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to check SSL on Google Chrome.
Steps to Check SSL Certificate on Google Chrome
Step 1: Browse the website you wish to check
Launch Google Chrome on your computer and enter the website address (URL) that you want to check. It is important to note that SSL certificates are only applicable to websites that use the HTTPS protocol. Websites that use the HTTP protocol do not use SSL certificates.
Step 2: Check the SSL certificate icon
When you open a website that uses SSL, you should see a padlock icon in the address bar of your browser. This icon indicates that the website is using SSL and that any data transmitted between the web server and the browser is encrypted.
Click on the padlock icon to view details about the SSL certificate. A pop-up window will display information about the SSL certificate and the website.
Step3: Verify the SSL certificate
In the pop-up window, you can view details about the SSL certificate, including the certificate issuer, the certificate expiration date, and the certificate authority. It is important to verify that the SSL certificate is valid and issued by a trusted authority.
To verify the SSL certificate, you can click on the “Valid” link next to the certificate information. This will open a new tab with information about the SSL certificate and the certificate authority. You can verify that the SSL certificate is valid and issued by a trusted authority by checking the information in this tab.
You should look for the following information:
- Certificate Issued To: The organization to which the certificate is issued.
- Certificate Validity Period: The date when the SSL certificate expires.
- Certificate Issued By: The organization that is responsible for issuing SSL certificates.
If any of this information is missing or incorrect, it could indicate that the SSL certificate is not valid or has been tampered with.
Step 4: Check the website’s security status
In addition to checking the SSL certificate, you can also check the security status of the website in another way. To do this, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of your browser and select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
In the settings menu, scroll down to the “Privacy and Security” section and click on “Security“. You will see a list of security settings, including “Safe Browsing”. Make sure that this setting is turned on to ensure that Google Chrome alerts you if you visit a website that is known to be unsafe.
Step 5: Additional checks
If you want to perform more thorough checks on the SSL certificate, you can use third-party tools such as SSL Checker or Qualys SSL Labs SSL Server Test. These tools provide detailed information about the SSL certificate and the website’s security.
Conclusion
Online security is a crucial aspect of our lives, and ensuring that our online transactions are protected from potential threats is important. Google Chrome provides users with built-in features that make it easy to check the SSL certificate of a website.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can verify that the SSL certificate is valid and issued by a trusted authority, and ensure that your online transactions are protected from interception or tampering. So, the next time you visit a website, be sure to check its SSL certificate to ensure that your data is transmitted securely.
