If you run a website, security is not optional.
At DUHosting, two of the most common security products customers ask about are SSL and SiteLock.
They are both “security-related,” but they do very different jobs.
This guide explains:
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what SSL is,
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what SiteLock is,
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how they are similar,
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how they differ,
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and which option you should choose.
Quick Summary (In Simple Terms)
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SSL protects data in transit between your website and visitors (encryption).
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SiteLock protects your website files and visitors against malware, hacks, and blacklist risks (website security scanning + cleanup).
✅ Most websites should use both.
What is SSL?
SSL (TLS) is a security technology that encrypts data between:
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your website (server) and
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your visitor (browser).
That’s why, when SSL is installed correctly, your website shows:
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https://and -
a padlock icon in the browser.
SSL helps you:
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Encrypt login forms, contact forms, checkout forms
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Protect passwords and customer data while sending to your server
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Increase trust (padlock symbol)
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Improve SEO (Google prefers HTTPS)
SSL does not:
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Remove malware from your website
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Stop hacking attempts
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Scan your website for threats
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Fix infected files
What is SiteLock?
SiteLock is a website security service that:
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Scans your website for malware and vulnerabilities
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Monitors for threats and blacklisting
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Helps prevent infections and reputational damage
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In many plans, includes malware removal and automated cleanup
Think of SiteLock like a security guard + scanner for your website.
SiteLock helps you:
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Detect malware early
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Reduce risk of Google “Deceptive Site” warnings
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Protect visitors from infected pages/scripts
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Improve website trust and business continuity
SiteLock does not:
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Encrypt traffic like SSL does
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Replace good passwords, updates, and server security
Similarities Between SSL and SiteLock
Both:
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Improve visitor trust and reduce security risk
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Help protect customer data and your brand reputation
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Support compliance and professional business operations
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Reduce the chance of losing customers due to security warnings
But the way they do it is very different.
Differences Between SSL and SiteLock (Clear Table)
| Feature | SSL (HTTPS) | SiteLock |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Encrypt data between browser and server | Scan and protect website from malware & threats |
| What it protects | Data in transit (forms, logins, payments) | Website files + visitors + reputation |
| Shows padlock in browser | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Prevents malware infection | ❌ No | ✅ Helps reduce risk |
| Removes malware | ❌ No | ✅ (depending on plan) |
| Helps avoid Google blacklist warnings | Indirectly | ✅ Strongly |
| Required for online payments | ✅ Yes (mandatory) | Recommended |
| Helps SEO | ✅ Yes | Indirectly (through security + uptime) |
| Works even if website is clean | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Replaces the other? | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Which One Should You Choose?
If you must choose only one (not recommended)
Choose SSL if:
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You collect passwords or personal data
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You run a login page
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You have forms (contact / quote)
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You run an online store (checkout)
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You want HTTPS and the padlock
✅ SSL is the minimum requirement for almost any serious website today.
Choose SiteLock if:
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You suspect your website has been hacked or injected
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Your site shows warnings like “Deceptive site” / malware alert
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You need malware scanning + cleanup
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You want continuous monitoring (especially for WordPress/Joomla)
Best practice: Use Both (Recommended by DUHosting)
For business websites, the best setup is:
✅ SSL + SiteLock + Regular Updates + Strong Passwords + Backups
This gives you:
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encrypted connections (SSL)
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malware defense + monitoring (SiteLock)
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recovery capacity (Backups)
Common Real-World Scenarios (Examples)
Scenario 1: You have SSL but still got hacked
This is normal because:
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SSL encrypts traffic
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but it doesn’t stop attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities
➡️ Solution: Add SiteLock + update your website CMS/plugins.
Scenario 2: You have SiteLock, but the website still shows “Not Secure.”
That warning is about HTTPS.
➡️ Solution: Install SSL correctly.
Scenario 3: You have an online store
✅ You need SSL 100%.
SiteLock is strongly recommended to avoid hacks that cause loss of sales and reputation.
FAQ
1) Is SSL the same as SiteLock?
No. SSL encrypts traffic. SiteLock scans and protects your website against malware.
2) Do I need both?
For business websites: Yes, especially if you use WordPress/Joomla or collect customer data.
3) Can SiteLock replace SSL?
No. SiteLock cannot encrypt data or create HTTPS.
4) Can SSL remove malware?
No. SSL does not scan or clean infected files.
5) What is better for SEO?
SSL has direct SEO benefits (HTTPS). SiteLock supports SEO indirectly by preventing blacklist warnings and malware-related downtime.
DUHosting Recommendation (Best Setup)
For most DUHosting clients, we recommend:
✅ SSL + SiteLock if:
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Your website is for business, leads, e-commerce, or brand reputation
✅ SSL only if:
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Your site is a basic landing page with no forms/logins (still recommended)
✅ SiteLock + SSL + Backups if:
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You run WordPress/Joomla
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Your site has a history of infections
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You need maximum uptime and trust
Need Help Choosing?
If you share:
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your website type (WordPress/Joomla/custom),
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whether you collect data or payments,
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and if you’ve had infections before,
we can recommend the best DUHosting package for your exact situation.
