Security · Website glossary

TLS certificate

Quick answer · What is TLS certificate?

A signed digital document that associates an identity, such as domain names, with a public key used in TLS authentication.

IN PRACTICE

TLS certificate: an example

A web server presents a certificate covering www.example.com when a visitor connects.

KEEP IN MIND

A valid certificate must match the hostname and other validation requirements; issuance alone does not configure the whole site.

Put the idea to work

Frequently asked questions

What is a practical example of TLS certificate?

A web server presents a certificate covering www.example.com when a visitor connects.

Does certificate issuance configure the whole website?

A valid certificate must match the hostname and other validation requirements; issuance alone does not configure the whole site.

Which concepts should I read alongside TLS certificate?

Certificate authority: An organization or system that issues digital certificates within a trust framework.
TLS: Transport Layer Security is a protocol that provides encryption, integrity protection, and authentication for network connections.