Why Is SSL Necessary For Credit Card Processing?

Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL processing, is a technology that is used to encrypt and authenticate sensitive and private data, most commonly associated with credit card processing. Most vendors who have a merchant account online and are providing any sort of retail service on the internet know something about the importance of using SSL to process their credit cards, whether they are dealing with visa processing or mastercard processing. Because of the amount of identity theft and fraud that occurs in our current times, it's more than necessary to have a way to protect private and sensitive information when it is input onto the internet. In fact, most people won't put their information on a site that doesn't involve some sort of SSL processing or other encryption option.

Merchants, and those who provide merchant services, need to provide an SSL certificate on their website if they are going to deal with personal information from their customers. This not just important towards the use of financial information, but also information such as addresses, birthdates, social security numbers, and other types of information that make an individual personally identifiable. SSL certificates help by containing the information and ensuring that it only goes to the directed target. As a result, this encryption method prevents possible thieves from intercepting the information with their technology.

How does it work? If a website has an SSL certificate installed, the processing will begin any time an individual starts accessing secure pages. Secure pages are those sites with "https" listed in the beginning of the URL. The site will produce a type of key that will validate their identity and the company's information. Meanwhile, the browser of the individual on the website will produce a unique key for the session, whether something is being ordered or private information is being input into a form. This session key encrypts anything that is being sent to and from the site and the individual's browser during that time. The result is that the information is secure and protected. Commonly, if a website does not offer SSL, a pop-up notification will appear on the browser prior to information being submitted, and will let the individual know that they are browsing on a page that does not incorporate this certificate.

SSL certificates also help to authenticate the websites and vendors that are using them. For credit card processing, this is just as important as encrypting private information. Since individuals are sending private information, they want to ensure that it is only going to the vendor or individuals that they are intending it for. Having SSL certificates on your website helps to authenticate that you are indeed that specific merchant or company, and that the individual can trust their data connection with you on the internet.