Let's encrypt starts public beta testing
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has announced
the public beta test of the Let's Encrypt initiative, which aims to make
encrypted web traffic the norm. "There are a number of flaws in the
CA system, but when it comes to encrypting the Web, two in particular stand
out: cost and difficulty. Most CAs today charge for certificates. While
some are very cheap, every dollar of expense means a large swath of people
who can't afford to host a secure website. The larger barrier, though, is
difficulty. Once someone has purchased a certificate, they need to install
it on their website, a time consuming and error-prone process that requires
significant technical skill, which is a cost in itself. Let's Encrypt is
not only free but also automated, in order to make HTTPS encryption more
accessible than ever."