Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a protocol that is used to encrypt the info exchanged between a hosting server and its users. The practical application of employing an SSL is to preserve the data that visitors submit on your site - a login page, a payment page if you run a web-based store, etc. Any data they enter in any box on the site will be submitted securely to the server, so their login or payment details shall be protected from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Typically, an SSL certificate requires a dedicated IP address to be set up, which implies the overall cost for your online presence will be higher. While this may not be an issue for a larger business, it may matter for a non-profit organization or a small online store that does not generate big profits if additional money should be spent. That's the main reason why we've taken advantage of an extension referred to as Server Name Indication (SNI) and we have made it possible to use a shared server IP address to set up an SSL certificate.
Shared SSL IP in Shared Hosting
A shared IP could be employed for any SSL certificate, regardless if you acquire it from our company or from another retailer and regardless of the shared hosting package which you have on our end. If you obtain the SSL from us, you shall find this option on the certificate order page inside your hosting Control Panel where you could also take advantage of the 1-click automatic configuration option which we offer you. If the latter is selected in the SSL order wizard, our system will install and set up everything for you through the specially configured server shared IP address, so once you buy and approve the SSL, there will not be anything else to do on your end. You could save the cash you'll otherwise have to pay for a dedicated IP address and the SSL shall do the job in the same exact way, so any info the website visitors submit shall be encrypted. The sole difference is that if you enter the shared IP address instead of your domain name inside a web browser, the Internet site won't display.
Shared SSL IP in Semi-dedicated Hosting
The shared IP address option is available with all Linux semi-dedicated hosting packages and the setup takes only 2 clicks inside the hosting CP regardless if you buy an SSL via our business or via a third-party provider. There will not be any difference with regards to how the certificate works or encodes the info your site visitors submit, so your site will be protected without spending the extra money for a dedicated IP address. The one thing that'll be different is that https://the-shared-IP won't open your site, unlike https://the-dedicated-IP, but it is quite unlikely that anyone shall ever try to access your website in this way instead of typing your domain name. We also offer an auto-configuration option for the SSLs bought via our company and if you select it and you decide to use a shared IP rather than a dedicated one, our system shall set everything up as soon as the SSL is approved and issued without the need for any action on your end.