Root Certificates and HTTPS Explained, All You Need to Know

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Root Certificates and HTTPS Explained, All You Need to Know

Encryption has a simple role in the digital world: wrap data in a cloak of security so only the intended recipient can read it. The process is a lot like creating a key and a lockbox for every piece of information that leaves your computer. The cryptography behind the process is incredibly complex, as is the process used to initiate the exchange and verify keys. After all, creating an unbreakable lock doesn’t do you much good if anyone can get ahold of the key.

This is where certificates come into play. These tiny files are a fundamental part of public key cryptography used by browsers and HTTPS sites to validate certain types of encryption. In other words, certificates ensure everyone is who they claim to be, preventing malicious hackers and invasive third parties from stepping in and spying on your activity.

Root certificates sit at the heart of the entire certificate system to make sure they operate as intended. It’s an intricate world with a lot of jargon to wade through, but knowing how certificates work can give you a much better understanding of how the internet operates on a day to day basis.

An easy to follow guide can be found at http://www.addictivetips.com/vpn/root-certificates-explained/