Let's Encrypt has been very beneficial to me. As for commercial certificates, they add an extra layer of security. Are there any cases where people have obtained them?
Let's Encrypt is an innovative free certificate authority, dedicated to addressing critical issues in internet security. As the flow of information for individuals and businesses online becomes increasingly frequent, encryption has become an essential security measure. Although modern browsers and servers all support TLS encryption technology, many websites have not implemented encryption protection, mainly due to the cumbersome process of obtaining server certificates.
This initiative is driven by multiple major organizations, including Mozilla Corporation, Cisco Systems, Akamai Technologies, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), IdenTrust, and a research team from the University of Michigan. These institutions collaborate through the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG) in California for management.
Let's Encrypt operates based on six core principles: providing free certificates to all domain owners, automated certificate registration and renewal processes, adopting modern security technologies, maintaining public and transparent certificate issuance records, open-source software architecture, and emphasizing a spirit of collaboration and sharing. This open and automated approach not only significantly reduces the threshold for website administrators to adopt HTTPS but also ensures the entire system is not controlled by a single organization.
The most significant breakthrough of this initiative lies in thoroughly simplifying the certificate application and installation process. Traditionally, website administrators often face complex application procedures, costs, and technical barriers when applying for SSL/TLS certificates. Let's Encrypt integrates these steps into the server installation and configuration process through automated tools, while automatically handling certificate renewal in the background, greatly enhancing the accessibility of internet security.
This innovative solution not only brings major breakthroughs to internet security but also demonstrates the importance of open collaboration in promoting internet development. By eliminating technical and cost barriers, Let's Encrypt is gradually achieving the goal of making encryption protection become a fundamental standard in the online world.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42191228