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An SSL/TLS certificate aims to protect your website and users from potential data breaches. Certificates protect sensitive information like usernames, passwords, credit cards, and banking information by encrypting the data between the user and the server.
Lapses can still occur while spending money and time managing your certificates. Certificates can be misconfigured, or they may expire sooner than expected. These mishaps can cause significant problems for your business. Find out how you can be more confident that your website will always be protected and use your money and time to attend to other important matters by taking advantage of a TLS management platform.
Why Expired or Misconfigured Certificates Trigger Browser Warnings
Security certificates identify a secure website, ensure the user’s browser is connected to the exact website the user intended, and guarantee that you are the recognized and verified owner of the website. Whenever certificates are misconfigured or left to expire, it’s like leaving a big hole for cybercriminals to compromise the decrypted information that flows through from users. Some ways that cybercriminals can compromise a server through misconfigurations include:
- If you use self-signed certificates
- Use default settings
- Don’t check the validity of the certificates
- Set up incorrect trust chains
Self-signed SSL certificates are security certificates that an SSL certificate authority did not issue. These types of certificates are free, but there are no browsers or operating systems that trust self-signed certificates, and they won’t show visual indicators of trust like a padlock symbol or HTTPS in front of the domain name. Users will see a browser warning and must click an “Accept Risk” button to open your website if they dare.
An invalid security certificate causes the browser to lack a valid chain of trust between your browser certificate and a list of trusted root certificates. This trust chain cannot verify that the web address belongs to your business. Because of this, a browser warning appears. That’s why it’s important to keep vigilant in identifying invalid certificates and correctly configuring trust chains.
The Impact of Browser Warnings on User Trust
You will be oblivious that a browser warning appears when users access your website. The user may see a browser warning that says, “Your connection is not private” and “Attackers might be trying to steal your information (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards).” The browser warning may have error messages that say, “NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID” or “ERROR_SELF_SIGNED_CERT.” The notification will allow users to click “Advanced” or “Back to safety.”
If a user tries to log in despite these browser warnings, a cybercriminal may be able to access the login information, compromising other sensitive information contained in the account. You’ll notice an unusual drop in traffic because users will most likely click on “Back to safety.” This can have long-term effects on your business because the users would most likely not revisit your website.
How a Certificate Lifecycle Management System Can Help
An automated certificate management system will eliminate errors associated with browser warnings. A certificate manager will issue and manage the lifecycle of your SSL/TLS certificates, ensuring the security of your website, servers, and user information. While it keeps track of expiring certificates and domain validations for you, users can continue to visit your website time and time again.
Caroline is doing her graduation in IT from the University of South California but keens to work as a freelance blogger. She loves to write on the latest information about IoT, technology, and business. She has innovative ideas and shares her experience with her readers.
