Let's Encrypt what is the difference to standard SSL Certificate

Here is lots of talk in the world of the world wide web and securing the internet and getting websites to get SSL certificates for there websites.

Without doubt https encryption make a huge difference to online security. By encrypting all data transferred to and from your website. This also reasures your users with the green padlock and secure in the address bar next to your domain.

You can implement HTTPS for free!

Le’ts encrypt provides SSL certificates for free. Letting anyone setup an SSL encryption on their website and getting that important green padlock.

So What is Let’s Encrypt?

Since its launch in April 2016, Let’s Encrypt has quickly become a popular choice for anyone looking to enhance the security of their online presence.

Let’s Encrypt is a certificate authority (CA) run by the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG), a non-profit organisation based in California. In its own words, Let’s Encrypt is ‘a free, automated, and open certificate authority, run for the public’s benefit’.

So what is the idea behind Let Encrypt is to ‘ create a more secure and privacy-respecting web’ . With Google moving the web towards https and browsers now highlighting HTTP sites as non-secure. This is now a important issue for business and there websites.

Let’s encrypt relys on sponsors and donors so lets Encrypt needs to be smart on how is delivers it’s services compared to commercial certificates. Let”s Encrypt uses automation with automated systems handling the issuing and renewal of all it’s certificates. Let’s Encrypt certificates are only valid for 90 days.

So with SSL certificates available for nothing, why would anyone pay for one? In terms of the actual encryption method, there’s no difference between a certificate from Let’s Encrypt and one from a commercial provider. However, there are various areas where Let’s Encrypt can’t compete with the premium CAs.

Let’s Encrypt Vs Paid SSL Certificate.

Extended validity: Let’s Encrypt certificates are only valid for 90 days and must be renewed frequently. By contrast, most traditional SSL certificates are valid for at least one year, with the option of longer validity periods (for example, three years).

Warranty: Let’s Encrypt certificates do not include a warranty, whereas traditional SSL certificates usually do.

Support: Let’s Encrypt does not have staff available to assist with creating or installing SSL certificates. This can be an issue for professionals and business owners who must quickly get a site configured and working. If your business has tech support or if you out source this they could assist with this.

Should I pay for a SSL certificate?

The answer to this question is depends on the type of business you operate,the technical skill you have or It department have. Let’s Encrypt certificates are free that is great if you are on a tight budget. One question to ask yourself does the time and business risk involved with dealing with a potential renewal malfunction justify such a small cost.