SSL Certificates and IP Addresses

Why Do You Need an SSL Certificate?

An SSL certificate is typically issued to a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) such as,

"https://www.yourdomainexample.com".

If you are accepting credit card payments online via a merchant account, the credit card associations and networks require that you use SSL whenever you transmit credit card information, such as the card number, card holder's name, expiration date, CVV code, etc. (such as when a customer enters their credit card on your shopping cart order form or payment page). This is an important part of making your website PCI compliant (a set of rules that must be followed in order to accept credit card payments).

In addition to being PCI compliant (which is required by Visa, MasterCard, Discover Network, American Express, Diners Club International, JCB and your payment processing company), your customers also look to see if your order form or shopping cart is secure before entering their credit card information. You can easily lose sales if your customers see that your site is not secure.

If customers are not entering credit card information directly on your Web Property, but rather entering it directly on a payment processing company's Web Property such as PayPal, Google Checkout, or Amazon Payments, then you do not need an SSL Certificate since you are not transmitting or storing credit card information.

What is an IP Address?

A Dedicated IP Address (Internet Protocol Address) is a unique Internet address dedicated exclusively to a single hosting account. This is in contrast to the normal configuration of several hosting accounts residing on a single server and sharing its IP address.

Who assigns IP Addresses?

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) assigns IP addresses to regional internet registries (RIRs). The RIRs assign them to hosting companies such as GriotSites Web Hosting & Designs™ who in turn assign IP addresses to the Web Property Owner.

Why is a Dedicated IP Address required for SSL Certificates?

Technically, a dedicated IP Address is not required to utilize an SSL Certificate for your Web Property, but there is a relatively new technology called Server Name Indication (SNI) that allows SSL certificates to be associated with a virtual host rather than with the server's IP address.

Because some browsers don't support SNI, we require that each SSL Certificate installation also include a Dedicated IP Address for better browser support.

I've never been charged before for an Dedicated IP Address. Why now?

Every since we began providing SSL Certificates to our Web Property Owners, the required monthly fee of $2.00 ($24 yearly) per SSL Certificate was submitted to our RIR at no cost to our Clients. As of 2016, the required monthly fees have increased to $4.00 ($48 yearly) per SSL Certificate installation in which we have also taken care of. As of June 1st, 2017, we will no longer be satisfying the fee that is required to host an SSL Certificate.

Since I must have one, how do I pay for a Dedicated IP Address?

All WIPs offer two types of plans: with SSL Certificate or without SSL Certificate. The Dedicated IP Address is already configured into the monthly premium. Just make your monthly premium payments and your Dedicated IP Address fee will be covered.

I don't have WIP but I do have an SSL Certificated installed on my Web Property. How do I pay for my Dedicated IP Address?

If you are not currently enrolled in WIP, you will be billed for the entire year which is $48.00 and must be paid within 30 days after the certificate installation.

Can I make monthly payments for the Dedicated IP Address instead of paying all at once?

If you are not currently enrolled in WIP, you are required to pay the bill in full for the entire year which is $48.00 and must be paid within 30 days after the certificate installation.

What if I still need clarity on what Dedicated IP Addresses are and their function?

If you have additional questions, visit our WIP Forum or contact your WIPS directly.

SSL Certificates for WIP Properties