English
Magyar
Did you know that Google Chrome immediately displays an alarming ‘Not secure’ warning to over 94 per cent of visitors if your website does not use proper encryption? Because of a single missing SSL certificate, the majority of your potential customers will close the browser tab before they’ve even read your headline or found out about your offer. For an online shop with average traffic, this technical oversight could mean a loss of revenue amounting to several thousand euros a month.
You’ve probably realised by now that cyber security is no longer just a private matter for large corporations or banks. Visitors are right to expect that the data they provide will be kept secure, and by 2026, Google’s algorithm will ruthlessly demote websites that neglect this fundamental line of defence. Nobody wants to browse a site where their own software constantly warns them of the risk of data theft.
This guide will help you finally make sense of the technical chaos. You’ll learn how SSL protects your visitors’ sensitive data, why search engine optimisation has become an essential part of your strategy, and how to choose the solution that best suits your business profile. We’ll walk you through the different levels of authentication, from free plans to more comprehensive enterprise plans, so that your website is not only technically secure but also stands out from the competition with the padlock icon that symbolises trust.
What is an SSL certificate and how does it protect your website?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) first appeared in the mid-1990s, but has since been superseded by the more modern TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. Although the term ‘SSL’ is still used in everyday language and marketing, technically all modern browsers now use TLS for secure connections. An SSL certificate is a digital file that verifies the authenticity of a website and enables encrypted data communication between the visitor’s browser and the web server. This solution creates an encrypted channel, ensuring that unauthorised parties cannot access the data whilst it is being transmitted over the internet.
Previously, most websites used the plain HTTP protocol. At that time, data travelled across the network in plain text. If an attacker intercepted the traffic, they could easily read passwords or personal messages. With the introduction of HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure), this risk was eliminated. The certificate also functions as a kind of digital passport. It verifies that the server is genuinely who it claims to be, thereby preventing phishing attacks.
The little padlock icon and secure browsing
When a website has a valid certificate, a small padlock icon appears next to the URL in the browser’s address bar. If you click on this, you can view the issuer’s details and the expiry date. In the absence of this, Google Chrome and other browsers have been alerting visitors with a ‘Not secure’ warning since July 2018. According to a 2023 cybersecurity report, 82 per cent of users leave the page immediately when they see this warning. This loss of trust results in a direct loss of revenue for businesses, as visitors are reluctant to provide their details on an unprotected site.
What kind of data does SSL protect?
Encryption is critical at every point where a user sends any information to the server. An SSL certificate primarily protects the following data categories from eavesdropping:
- Personal data: Name, address, telephone number and email address, which are provided via contact forms or when subscribing to the newsletter.
- Login details: Protecting usernames and passwords is a fundamental requirement for any modern website.
- Financial transactions: Strict international standards govern the security of credit card details and payment processes for online shops.
Without encryption, this information would be readable by anyone monitoring network traffic on a public Wi-Fi network. If you want to keep your website and your visitors safe, choose from our range of professional SSL certificate solutions, which guarantee uninterrupted and secure traffic.
How SSL works: Encryption and the chain of trust
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its more modern successor, the TLS encryption protocol, protect your visitors’ data through an invisible yet critical process. When a user opens your website, a so-called ‘handshake’ – a digital handshake, so to speak – takes place between the browser and the server. In a matter of milliseconds, the two parties agree on the encryption algorithm to be used and verify the server’s identity. If the process is successful, a secure channel is established, through which data is transmitted only as unreadable strings of code.
The technology is based on key-pair encryption. The server has a public key, which anyone can view, and a private key, which is kept strictly confidential. Data is encrypted using the public key, but can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key. This ensures that even if packets are intercepted en route, no one can access their contents. Certificate Authorities (CAs) act as independent third parties in this process. They verify that the website truly belongs to the entity it claims to be.
SSL/TLS therefore guarantees three things at once:
- Authenticity: the certificate confirms that you are indeed communicating with the website whose address you have entered.
- Encryption: no one can read the data transmitted between the browser and the server whilst it is in transit, unlike with plain HTTP, where everything is transmitted as plain text.
- Integrity: thanks to message authentication codes (MACs), the data being transferred cannot be altered without being detected.
What is known today as ‘SSL’ is actually TLS: in 1999, the IETF took over SSL from Netscape and continued to develop it under the name TLS. Our knowledge base article explains the difference between TLS and SSL.
To maintain security, the validity period of an SSL certificate is limited. Since 15 March 2026, the industry standard has allowed a maximum validity period of 200 days. Regular renewal is important because it ensures that encryption keys remain up to date and that authentication details are current. If you are operating with an expired certificate, browsers will immediately display a ‘Not secure’ warning to your visitors.
The stages of the authentication process
- Domain validation (DV): The simplest type, where the CA simply checks that you have a connection to the domain name. It can be issued in a matter of minutes and is ideal for blogs and smaller websites.
- Organisation Validation (OV): Here, the certifying body also verifies the existence and details of the underlying business. This builds a higher level of trust amongst visitors.
- Extended Validation (EV): The most rigorous verification process. It checks both the company’s legal background and its physical address, thus providing maximum credibility for online shops.
How is the chain of trust structured?
Browsers do not recognise every certificate directly. Trust is based on a chain: the Root certificate trusted by the browser validates the intermediate certificates, which in turn validate your unique SSL certificate. If any element in this chain is compromised, becomes invalid or is revoked, the entire security system breaks down. This is why a stable infrastructure is critical. aWh’s more than 10 years’ experience in operating secure server environments guarantees that the certificate chain managed by us is always flawless.
If you don’t want to get bogged down in technical details, choose a reliable SSL certificate plan that automatically ensures continuous protection.
Why is SSL essential in 2026? SEO and legal considerations
By 2026, the lack of an SSL certificate will no longer be merely a minor technical oversight, but a critical business risk. Google’s algorithm has treated encrypted connections as a ranking factor since 2014, but HTTPS has now become an entry-level requirement. If a website does not use encryption, search engine algorithms will automatically rank it behind its secure competitors in the search results. This lower ranking directly affects both traffic and revenue.
The measures taken by web browsers are even more drastic. Since July 2018, Chrome and Firefox have been labelling all HTTP-based websites as ‘Not secure’. According to a 2024 survey, 85 per cent of users leave the page immediately upon seeing such a warning. In the case of online shops, this trust factor is even more pronounced; without encryption, the cart abandonment rate skyrockets, as nobody dares to enter their credit card details over an unsecured connection. SSL is a fundamental requirement for modern advertising systems, including, for example, Google Ads, where the absence of a secure landing page can result in adverts being rejected.
SSL and the GDPR: Data protection obligations
Article 25 of the GDPR enshrines the principle of ‘data protection by design’. This means that every website owner has a duty to ensure the protection of visitors’ data to the extent that can be expected given the current state of technology. If you collect personal data (name, email address) through a simple contact form without an SSL certificate, this constitutes a serious breach of duty. The National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) may impose substantial fines in such cases, as data can easily be intercepted and stolen during unencrypted data transmission.
SEO benefits: More than just a technical setting
SSL is not just about security, but also about performance. Modern web protocols, such as HTTP/2 and the latest HTTP/3, operate exclusively via encrypted connections. These technologies can speed up page loading times by 30–45 per cent by managing resources in parallel. In search engine optimisation, speed and security go hand in hand. Stability and fast service delivery are always underpinned by a high-quality web hosting service that supports the latest security protocols. SSL is therefore now a sign of trust to search engines, and is essential for a long-term online presence.
Free Let’s Encrypt vs. Paid SSL: Which should you choose?
Choosing an SSL certificate is not just a question of budget, but also a strategic decision. Since its launch in 2014, Let’s Encrypt has fundamentally changed internet security by making basic encryption free. According to statistics from 2023, over 80 per cent of websites already use this solution. For personal blogs, simple ‘about me’ pages or portfolio websites, this technology is perfectly adequate, as it technically offers the same 256-bit encryption as paid alternatives.
When making your decision, it’s worth considering your website’s traffic and features. If your site does not handle sensitive customer data or credit card payments, the free solution is an excellent choice. However, if your brand’s credibility and financial security are your top priorities, the paid options provide additional layers of protection that the free version cannot offer.
The limitations of Let’s Encrypt and automation
The most distinctive feature of Let’s Encrypt is its 90-day validity period: renewal is required every three months. (Paid certificates are also being shortened: since 15 March 2026, they are valid for a maximum of 200 days; we have a separate article explaining the reasons for this reduction.) This would be an unmanageable task to handle manually, which is why automation is a fundamental requirement for us. On aWh’s servers, we manage automatic SSL via cPanel, so our customers do not need to keep track of expiry dates. If you wish to secure all subdomains (e.g. shop.yourwebsite.hu, blog.yourwebsite.hu) alongside the main domain with a single certificate, a Wildcard certificate is the solution: either a paid version, or on your own server using Let’s Encrypt with DNS validation.
Business certificates: When is it worth the investment?
The premium SSL certificate offers added value not in the strength of its encryption, but in the warranty and authentication that underpin it. A paid solution comes with a financial guarantee (Warranty). In the event of any data theft resulting from a fault on the part of the certificate authority (CA), this could mean compensation of between 10,000 and 1.5 million dollars (approx. 9,000 and 1.35 million euros).
- EV (Extended Validation): This offers the highest level of trust, as the certification authority rigorously verifies the company’s existence, making it an effective defence against phishing.
- Multi-Domain: Ideal for large corporate environments, where you can manage several different domains with a single certificate, significantly reducing the administrative burden.
- Support: Paid plans come with direct technical support from the provider, which can be crucial in the event of an online shop going down.
If you use bank integration, or if your website’s daily turnover exceeds 300 euros, the paid solution offers a professional appearance and genuine financial protection. 75 per cent of visitors feel more confident shopping on a website that displays visible signs of a premium level of security.
Secure your website and your visitors’ data with state-of-the-art technology – choose the professional SSL solution that’s right for you today!
Setting up and managing SSL certificates in aWh’s systems
At aWh, we believe that technology should serve people, not the other way round. In line with our ‘automation is our motto’ philosophy, we have developed a system where managing SSL certificates does not require an engineering degree. In line with the requirements for 2026, security comes as standard with all our hosting plans, supported by our state-of-the-art NVMe-based infrastructure and the power of AMD EPYC processors.
Step-by-step installation guide for aWh customers
The process takes just a few minutes with us. If you choose the free Let’s Encrypt solution, activation takes just a single click in the cPanel interface. Our system automatically handles the verification and installation; you don’t need to do anything else. For paid, enhanced-level certificates, you can generate the CSR code in the ‘SSL/TLS’ menu in cPanel, which you’ll need to provide when applying. Once the certificate authority has issued the files, you can upload them here. To check, visit your website: if a closed padlock appears in the browser’s address bar, the certificate is active and will be marked green in all browsers.
Common errors and how to resolve them
The most common problem is the ‘mixed content’ error. This occurs when your site runs over HTTPS, but some images or scripts are still loaded via HTTP links in the source code. You can fix this by correcting the links or, in the case of WordPress, by performing a simple database update. You don’t need to worry about certificates expiring either, as our system sends automatic reminders 30 days before they are due to expire and renews them without any manual intervention.
Redirecting traffic is essential for ensuring comprehensive security. If a visitor enters the old HTTP address, you can automatically redirect them to the secure HTTPS version using rules embedded in the .htaccess file. This not only protects users but is also a basic requirement for Google’s ranking system. If you get stuck whilst configuring the settings, please feel free to consult our knowledge base or contact our experienced support team, who have over 10 years’ experience. For further details on the types available, please take a look at our range of SSL certificates.
aWh’s comprehensive security system includes continuous monitoring and daily backups. So, should any configuration errors occur, our 99.9 per cent uptime guarantee ensures that your website will continue to run quickly and securely.
Make your website secure and trustworthy in 2026
By 2026, web security had reached a point where the absence of an SSL certificate would result in an immediate drop in search engine rankings. Google and the Chrome browser now handle more than 98 per cent of traffic via encrypted channels. This means that the appearance of the ‘Not secure’ warning is almost guaranteed to put off potential customers. Data encryption and legal compliance are no longer merely technical issues, but the cornerstone of business credibility.
The members of the aWh team, each with 20 years’ professional experience, support businesses in the digital space. Every hosting plan managed by us comes with a free Let’s Encrypt certificate included in the base price, which is managed entirely automatically by our system. If you require business-level validation or a higher level of assurance, our expert support team will help you choose the most suitable option. Don’t let a minor technical oversight reduce your conversion rates or damage your brand’s reputation.
Choose the SSL certificate that suits your website from aWh’s range!
Switch to a modern and secure solution to ensure your website continues to run stably, quickly and without disruption in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about SSL certificates
How much does an SSL certificate cost?
The basic domain-validated (DV) SSL certificate is completely free via Let’s Encrypt, which you can activate on aWh hosting plans with just a few clicks. The prices of our paid certificates range from €8.98 for Domain SSL to €89.22 for Wildcard SSL a year (excluding VAT); you can compare the different types on the SSL certificates page. Premium solutions offer a higher financial guarantee and more visible trust signals to visitors. Choose the level that best suits your company’s needs.
Is SSL compulsory for every website, even if I’m not selling anything?
Yes, by 2026, encryption will be essential for every website, because modern browsers such as Chrome display a ‘Not secure’ warning on plain HTTP pages. This warning immediately puts off 85 per cent of visitors, regardless of whether a transaction is taking place or data is being collected. Having an SSL certificate is a fundamental factor in building trust and a key ranking factor for search engines. Don’t risk your website’s credibility because of a missing padlock.
Does SSL slow down the loading of my website?
On the contrary, using encryption actually speeds up your website nowadays, as it is a prerequisite for enabling the modern HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 protocols. Compared to earlier technologies, the encryption process on our modern servers takes just 5–10 milliseconds. This minimal extra time is negligible compared to the performance boost provided by optimised data transfer. Security and speed thus go hand in hand.
What is the difference between SSL and TLS?
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the more modern and secure successor to SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), although in everyday language we still use the term SSL today. From a technical point of view, by 2026 everyone will be using TLS version 1.3 in the background, as the original SSL protocols were phased out long ago due to security vulnerabilities. When you request an SSL certificate from us, you are actually receiving the very latest TLS technology. The name has remained the same, but the technology has come a long way.
How can I fix the ‘Mixed Content’ error?
You can fix the mixed content error by changing all internal links, images and scripts in your website’s source code from HTTP to HTTPS. If you’re using WordPress, a simple plugin or a search-and-replace operation in the database will resolve the issue 100 per cent. This error occurs when your secure page attempts to load unencrypted elements. Once fixed, the browser will immediately display the ‘secure’ indicator.
Do I need to re-register my domain to get an SSL certificate?
You do not need to initiate a domain transfer; you can request an SSL certificate from any provider whilst retaining your current registrar. All you need to do is configure the DNS records or hosting settings correctly for authentication. Thanks to our automation, you can assign protection to domains hosted with us in a matter of seconds. The process is flexible and involves no administrative hassle.
Does SSL work without a dedicated IP address?
Yes, thanks to SNI (Server Name Indication) technology, encryption works perfectly even without a dedicated IP address, even in a shared hosting environment. This solution has been widely adopted since 2010, so you don’t have to pay an extra €4–7 a month for a separate IP address. 99.9% of modern browsers and operating systems support this method. Save on resources and use shared IP-based protection.
How does SSL affect my Google adverts?
The lack of SSL directly undermines the effectiveness of your Google Ads campaigns, as Google may block your adverts if the landing page is not secure. Advertising systems favour HTTPS links, whilst unencrypted pages are assigned a lower quality score. According to a recent survey, secure landing pages have a conversion rate 12 per cent higher than their standard counterparts. Don’t burn through your marketing budget without putting security in place.