What is SSL?
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a cryptographic protocol that establishes an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser, ensuring that all data transmitted between them remains private and secure. It has been succeeded by TLS but the term SSL is still widely used.
How Does Ssl Work?
SSL works by using a combination of asymmetric and symmetric encryption to secure data in transit. When a browser connects to an SSL-secured website, a handshake process occurs where the server presents its SSL certificate, the browser verifies its authenticity, and both parties agree on encryption keys for the session. This prevents eavesdropping, data tampering, and impersonation by malicious third parties.
Although SSL has technically been replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), which addresses security vulnerabilities found in earlier SSL versions, the term SSL remains the common shorthand for encrypted web connections. Websites using SSL/TLS display a padlock icon in the browser address bar and use the HTTPS protocol. SSL certificates are now considered essential for all websites, not just those handling sensitive data, as search engines favor HTTPS sites and browsers flag unencrypted connections as insecure.