An SSL Certificate is essential for securing websites by encrypting communication between a user’s browser and the web server. Ensuring that an SSL Certificate is properly installed and valid is crucial for maintaining website security, preventing data breaches, and improving SEO rankings.
When visiting a website, users can check the SSL Certificate details to verify the certificate authority (CA), expiration date, encryption strength, and domain ownership. Different browsers offer various methods to inspect SSL Certificate information. In this guide, we will explain how to check SSL Certificate details in popular browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
Why is Checking SSL Certificate Details Important?
Understanding the SSL Certificate details of a website helps in:
- Ensuring website security by verifying that the site is using valid SSL encryption
- Checking SSL expiration dates to prevent service disruptions
- Identifying potential security risks such as self-signed or expired certificates
- Verifying certificate authority (CA) to ensure a site is using a trusted SSL provider
- Detecting Mixed Content Issues, which can weaken HTTPS security
Failing to maintain a proper SSL Certificate can lead to browsers displaying a “Not Secure” warning, negatively impacting user trust and SEO rankings.
How to Check SSL Certificate Details in Google Chrome
Google Chrome allows users to inspect SSL Certificates directly from the address bar. Follow these steps:
- Visit the Website – Open Google Chrome and go to the website you want to check.
- Click on the Padlock Icon – Located in the address bar next to the website URL.
- Select “Connection is Secure” – A small popup will appear with details about the site’s HTTPS connection.
- Click on “Certificate (Valid)” – This opens a new window displaying full SSL Certificate details.
- Review the Certificate Information – You can now see:
- Issued To – The domain name covered by the SSL Certificate
- Issued By – The Certificate Authority (CA) that issued the SSL
- Expiration Date – When the certificate expires
- Encryption Details – The SSL/TLS protocol and encryption type
Checking the SSL Certificate details in Google Chrome ensures that the website’s HTTPS security is correctly implemented.
How to Check SSL Certificate Details in Mozilla Firefox
For users of Mozilla Firefox, inspecting an SSL Certificate follows a slightly different process:
- Open the Website – Launch Mozilla Firefox and enter the URL of the website.
- Click the Padlock Icon – Located on the left side of the address bar.
- Select “Connection Secure” – A menu will appear, showing the basic security status.
- Click “More Information” – This opens the Page Info window.
- Go to the “Security” Tab – Click “View Certificate” to access the detailed SSL Certificate information.
Mozilla Firefox provides a detailed certificate viewer, allowing users to analyze SSL encryption, certificate authority, and validity status.
How to Check SSL Certificate Details in Microsoft Edge
In Microsoft Edge, checking the SSL Certificate details is simple and similar to Google Chrome:
- Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to the website.
- Click on the Padlock Icon in the address bar.
- Select “Connection is Secure” from the dropdown.
- Click “View Certificate” to access details such as:
- Domain validation
- Certificate authority (CA)
- SSL expiration date
- Encryption strength
Since Microsoft Edge is built on the Chromium engine, its method for inspecting SSL Certificates closely resembles Google Chrome.
How to Check SSL Certificate Details in Safari (macOS & iOS)
Apple’s Safari browser also provides an option to check SSL Certificate details:
- Open Safari and visit the website.
- Click on the Padlock Icon in the address bar.
- Select “Show Certificate” – This opens a window displaying:
- Certificate Authority (CA)
- SSL Encryption Details
- Validity Period and Expiration Date
Safari on macOS and iOS makes it easy to verify if a website’s SSL Certificate is properly configured.
How to Check SSL Certificate Details Using Online Tools
If you want to check SSL Certificate information without accessing a browser’s built-in tool, there are online SSL checking tools available:
- SSL Labs SSL Test (www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) – Provides an in-depth analysis of a site’s SSL configuration and vulnerabilities.
- DigiCert SSL Checker (www.digicert.com/help/) – Verifies SSL validity, expiration date, and CA details.
- Why No Padlock? (www.whynopadlock.com) – Identifies mixed content issues affecting SSL security.
These tools are useful for troubleshooting SSL Certificate errors, ensuring a website meets security best practices.
Common SSL Certificate Errors and Fixes
If a website’s SSL Certificate is not correctly configured, users may encounter SSL errors. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
“Your Connection is Not Private” (Google Chrome)
- The SSL Certificate may be expired or misconfigured.
- Solution: Renew the SSL Certificate or check for incorrect server settings.
“SSL Certificate Not Trusted”
- Occurs when the certificate is self-signed or issued by an untrusted CA.
- Solution: Use a trusted SSL provider such as DigiCert, Let’s Encrypt, or GlobalSign.
“Mixed Content Warning”
- Some resources (images, scripts) are loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS.
- Solution: Update all website links to HTTPS.
“Expired SSL Certificate”
- The SSL Certificate has reached its expiration date.
- Solution: Renew the SSL Certificate before it expires.
Regularly checking SSL Certificate validity ensures a website remains secure and compliant with best security practices.
Why Checking SSL Certificates is Essential
Verifying a website’s SSL Certificate details is crucial for ensuring data security, encryption strength, and compliance with security protocols. Whether you are a website owner or a visitor, checking the SSL Certificate details in your browser helps identify potential risks and confirm that a site is safe to use.
If you manage a website, it is essential to regularly:
- Monitor SSL expiration dates to avoid security warnings
- Use trusted SSL providers for enhanced website security
- Fix mixed content issues to maintain full HTTPS encryption
- Ensure compliance with industry security standards
By following these best practices, you can keep your website’s SSL security up to date and maintain user trust.