Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is an encryption-based internet security protocol to keep the internet connection secure between networked devices.

It was created to enforce privacy, authentication, and data security so that attackers couldn’t read, modify, or steal the data and information being transferred between devices. The devices could be a server and a client or two different servers.

SSL works by encrypting (i.e., scrambling) the data being sent between users and your site to prevent hackers from reading it while the data is in transit. This information could be sensitive or personal information like your users’ personal details, financial information, login/authentication details, etc.

SSL encryption is implemented through the use of digital documents known as SSL certificates, which are installed on your server. Each certificate has a key pair – a private key and a public key, which act together to provide encryption. Each certificate also contains the identity of the website owner.

When your site is protected by SSL encryption, your domain name starts with https:// instead of http:// and a padlock is seen on the browser’s address bar next to your URL. Clicking the padlock reveals information related to the SSL certificate issued for that website.

Click here to learn more about SSL.