What is SSL?

The SSL (and TLS) protocol is the web standard for encrypting communications between users and SSL (secure sockets layer) e-commerce sites. Data sent via a SSL connection is protected by encryption, a mechanism that prevents dropping and tampering with any transmitted data. SSL provides businesses and consumers with the confidence that private data sent to a website, such as credit card numbers, are kept confidential. Web server certificate (also known as secure server certificate or SSL certificate) is required to initialize an SSL session.

Customers know when they have an SSL session with a website when their browser displays the little gold padlock and the address bar begins with a https rather than http.

SSL certificate can be used on web server for Internet security and mail server such as IMAP, POP3 and SMTP for mail collection / sending security.

See Also

What is a Digital Certificate?