Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a technology used to establish a secure and encrypted link between a web server and a web client, such as a web browser. This link ensures that all data transmitted between the two parties is protected from eavesdropping and tampering.
One of the most important uses of SSL is to provide security for online transactions, such as online shopping or banking. When a user enters sensitive information, such as a credit card number or login credentials, SSL encrypts that information before it is transmitted over the internet. This helps to prevent hackers from intercepting the information and using it for fraudulent purposes.
In addition to protecting sensitive information, SSL can also be used to authenticate the identity of a website. This helps to prevent phishing scams, where a hacker creates a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate one in order to steal users’ personal information. By verifying the website’s identity, SSL helps to ensure that users are communicating with the legitimate website and not a phishing site.
To establish an SSL connection, a web server must first obtain a digital certificate from a trusted certificate authority. The certificate contains the server’s public key and other information, such as the server’s domain name, and is used to authenticate the server’s identity. When a user connects to the server, the server sends its certificate to the client. The client verifies the certificate and, if it is valid, generates a session key. The session key is then used to encrypt all data transmitted between the client and server.
SSL has been widely used for many years, but it has been replaced by Transport Layer Security (TLS) which is now widely used. SSL is considered to be insecure and not recommended to use.
To ensure that you are visiting a secure website, look for the padlock icon in your web browser’s address bar and check that the website’s address starts with “https” instead of “http”.
In conclusion, SSL is a technology that provides security and encryption for online transactions and helps to authenticate the identity of a website. However, it has been replaced by TLS and is not recommended to use. Be sure to look for the padlock icon and “https” in the address bar to ensure that you are visiting a secure website.
At Selva Digital, a SSL certificate is included in every hosting package. Looking for more information about this? Just contact us!
