SSL in an acronym for "Secure Sockets Layer". A SSL certificate is a file that is installed on a web server that allows, among other things:

• the authentication of the server by the Certification Authority (Gandi).
• secure transmission and validated integrity of data sent between the website's visitor and the server.

When you choose to activate a SSL certificate on your server, you must answer a series of questions to prove the identity of your website and that of your company. Your web server will then create 2 encrypted digital keys: one public, and one private.

The private key (the .key file) remains secret. You must not give it to anyone.

The public key is provided in what is called a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) which is a series of characters that contain your public key information. This CSR (.csr file) will be provided to you you during the generation of your Gandi certificate. Public keys do not need to be kept secret, in fact, they are designed to be publicly shared.

As an authority, Gandi will, after performing the necessary checks, validate your certificate with web browsers, which will thereafter recognize your certificate and establish an encrypted connection between the service hosted on the server (mail, website, …) and the computer running the web browser.

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