Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol that provides secure communication over the internet. SSL is used to encrypt data that is transmitted between a web server and a web browser, to protect the data from interception and tampering by unauthorized parties.
How SSL Works
When a user connects to a website that uses SSL, their web browser initiates a secure session with the web server. The web server sends a copy of its SSL certificate to the user's web browser, which verifies that the certificate is valid and issued by a trusted certificate authority. Once the certificate is verified, the web browser and web server establish an encrypted connection, which is used to transmit data securely between the two parties.
SSL provides several benefits, including:
- Encryption: SSL encrypts data that is transmitted over the internet, so that it cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorized parties.
- Authentication: SSL verifies that the web server is who it claims to be, using a trusted certificate authority.
- Integrity: SSL ensures that the data transmitted between the web server and web browser has not been tampered with or altered in transit.