SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide secure communication over computer networks, particularly for transmitting sensitive information over the internet. The primary purpose of SSL is to establish a secure and encrypted connection between a client (such as a web browser) and a server (web server, email server, etc.). By encrypting data transmitted between these endpoints, SSL ensures confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data exchanges, protecting against eavesdropping, tampering, and unauthorized access by malicious parties. SSL is essential for securing online transactions, login credentials, personal information, and other sensitive data exchanged between users and web-based services.
You need an SSL certificate to encrypt data transmitted over the internet and establish a secure connection between your website or application and users’ browsers. SSL certificates authenticate the identity of web servers and encrypt data exchanged during online interactions, such as web browsing, e-commerce transactions, and user logins. By implementing SSL, you protect sensitive information from interception and manipulation by cybercriminals or unauthorized third parties, ensuring data privacy and enhancing trust among users who expect secure online experiences. SSL certificates also validate the authenticity of websites, displaying visual indicators like HTTPS and padlock icons to assure users of a secure connection.
The purpose of the SSL protocol is to facilitate secure communication between clients and servers by encrypting data transmissions and verifying the identity of communication endpoints. SSL protocols employ cryptographic algorithms to establish a secure session between a client and a server during the handshake process, negotiating encryption parameters, exchanging digital certificates, and generating session keys for data encryption and integrity checks. By implementing SSL protocols, websites and online services ensure secure transmission of sensitive information, protect user privacy, and comply with industry security standards and regulations governing data protection and secure communications over the internet.