SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security), are protocols for establishing authenticated and encrypted links between networked computers. SSL is a cryptographic protocol designed to provide communications security over a computer network. SSL encrypts the link between a web server and a browser, which ensures that all data passed between them remain private and free from attack. SSL is standard technology for securing an internet connection by encrypting data sent between a website and a browser (or between two servers) . SSL allows sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and login credentials to be transmitted securely.
An SSL certificate (also known as a TLS or SSL/TLS certificate) is a digital document that binds the identity of a website to a cryptographic key pair consisting of a public key and a private key. The public key, included in the certificate, allows a web browser to initiate an encrypted communication session with a web server via the TLS and HTTPS protocols. HTTPS appears in the URL when a website is secured by an SSL/TLS certificate.
Overall, SSL/TLS is a security protocol that encrypts data and establishes secure links between networked computers, ensuring that sensitive information is transmitted securely.
