What is SSL?

The SSL and TLS protocols are the Internet standard for encrypting communications between users and Internet servers or eCommerce websites. Data sent via an SSL connection is protected by encryption, a mechanism that prevents eavesdropping and tampering with any transmitted data. SSL provides businesses and consumers with confidence, that private data sent to a website, such as credit card numbers, are kept confidential. Web server certificates (also known as secure server certificates or SSL certificates) are required to initialize an SSL session.

Customers know when they have an SSL session with a website, because their browser displays a little gold padlock and the address bar begins with 'https' rather than 'http'. SSL certificates can be used on web servers for Internet security and mail servers such as IMAP, POP3, and SMTP, for email delivery security.