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<div align=justify>A SSL certificate is used to create a secure web connection between a web site and a web server. It encrypts any information being transmitted, protecting it from unauthorized access.

SSL connection cannot be used without a dedicated IP address. Most web hosts provide this service, so this should be a problem. Dedicated IP is really necessary in case your account is located on a shared server. On these servers multiple web sites share one IP address. A shared IP won't work for a secure connection.

After your account has been switched to a dedicated IP address, you may purchase a SSL certificate. It will contain the following information: a digital signature, your address, domain name and your company name (some other optional information may be included). There are also an expiry date that comes with SSL certificates and details about the Certification Authority (CA) that is responsible for issuing the certificate.

Once your SSL cert is installed, you have a secure connection. Here's what happens in a secure transaction:

* A browser will connect to the server hosting your site. It will request to look at the website's SSL certificate.
* The server will transmit a copy of the SSL certificate.
* The browser will then check whether the certificate has not expired, has been issued by a legitimate Certification Authority, and is being used by the website that registered it.
* If there any issues with the certificate, the browser will issue a warning. If everything is set properly, the server will start the SSL encrypted session.
* With the SSL cert enabled, the browser and server can share encrypted data.

Note that '''''a SSL certificate can be installed only for one website'''''. This means that only your site has the key that will decrypt messages being transmitted. A SSL session with a minimum 256-bit encryption key is considered impossible to crack.

How to know if a web page is secure?

These are some common signs to let a visitor know that your site is safe. One of them is the padlock icon –  a locked lock will indicate the area is secure. A green address bar (though it depends on a browser) is another indicator. Finally, a secure web page will have “https” instead of “http” in the browser address bar.

MyIdealHost provides both Dedicated IP addresses and SSL certificates. So, if you would like to use a secure connection for your site, you are welcome to use our services. </div>
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