Verify SSL certificates, check expiration dates, analyze security protocols, and identify potential vulnerabilities. Get detailed certificate information instantly.
Comprehensive security analysis including protocol support and vulnerability detection.
Track certificate expiration dates and get alerts before certificates expire.
Validate complete certificate chains and identify trust path issues.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) are cryptographic protocols that establish secure, encrypted connections between web servers and browsers. When you see the padlock icon in your browser's address bar, it means the connection is protected by SSL/TLS.
SSL certificates serve three critical functions: encryption (keeping data private), authentication (proving the website is legitimate), and data integrity (ensuring data isn't modified in transit). Without SSL, sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information can be intercepted by attackers.
Since 2018, Google Chrome marks all HTTP sites as "Not Secure," and HTTPS is now a ranking signal for SEO. Having a valid SSL certificate is no longer optional—it's a fundamental requirement for any professional website.
256-bit encryption makes intercepted data unreadable
Verifies website identity and ownership
Detects if data was tampered with during transfer
Browser padlock builds user confidence
SSL certificates come in different validation levels and coverage options. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right certificate for your needs.
Basic validation that confirms domain ownership. Issued within minutes. Ideal for blogs, personal sites, and small businesses. Shows padlock but no company name.
Includes business identity verification. CA validates the organization exists and owns the domain. Better for businesses handling user data.
Highest level of validation with rigorous verification. Previously showed green address bar (now company name in certificate details). Required for high-trust sites.
Single Domain: Covers only one specific domain (e.g., example.com)
Wildcard (*.domain.com): Covers unlimited subdomains (e.g., mail.example.com, shop.example.com)
Subject Alternative Name certificates can secure multiple different domains with a single certificate. Useful for organizations managing several related websites or brand domains.
Our SSL checker uses industry-standard grading from SSL Labs to rate your certificate configuration. The grade considers certificate validity, protocol support, key exchange strength, and cipher suite security.
Perfect configuration with HSTS and modern protocols only
Strong configuration with no significant issues
Minor issues like weak cipher support
Outdated configuration needing attention
Serious vulnerabilities or invalid certificate
Browsers will show security warnings for expired certificates. Set up monitoring to renew certificates before expiration (typically 30+ days in advance).
The domain in the certificate doesn't match the website URL. This happens when using www vs. non-www versions or incorrect Subject Alternative Names.
Missing intermediate certificates cause trust issues. Ensure your server sends the full certificate chain, not just the leaf certificate.
TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are deprecated. Configure your server to use only TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3 for maximum security.
| Protocol | Status | Security Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLS 1.3 | Current | Excellent | Enable - fastest & most secure |
| TLS 1.2 | Supported | Good | Enable - needed for compatibility |
| TLS 1.1 | Deprecated | Weak | Disable - vulnerable to attacks |
| TLS 1.0 / SSL 3.0 | Obsolete | Insecure | Disable immediately |
Every HTTPS connection begins with a TLS handshake—a negotiation between the browser and server that establishes encryption parameters before any data is exchanged. Understanding this process helps diagnose certificate errors and connection failures.
In TLS 1.3, the handshake was streamlined from two round-trips down to one, reducing connection latency by roughly 100 milliseconds. This matters for performance-critical applications where every millisecond counts. Resumption via 0-RTT (zero round-trip time) allows returning visitors to establish secure connections even faster.
SSL certificates are not "set and forget." They expire, require renewal, and should be regularly audited for security. Here's a practical checklist for certificate management.