SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate, or Secure Sockets Layer certificate, is a digital certificate that is used to authenticate the identity of a website and to secure and encrypt data transmitted over the Internet. The certificate works by using a combination of public key and private key cryptography to establish a secure connection between a website’s server and the client’s browser.
SSL certificates are issued by organizations known as certificate authorities (CA). These entities are responsible for verifying the legitimacy of the website owner and are trusted by browsers and operating systems to ensure a secure connection.
When someone visits a website with an SSL Certificate installed, they will notice a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating that the website is secure and that the connection is encrypted. This provides a layer of security, ensuring that any data sent from the client’s browser to the website’s server, and vice versa, is protected against tampering and eavesdropping.
In addition to providing encryption, SSL certificates are also used for website authentication, as they can provide assurance that the website is the entity the user intended to access. This authentication helps to protect against malicious actors attempting to impersonate a website or intercept communication between the user and the website.
The widespread adoption of SSL certificates has helped to make the Internet a much safer and more trusted environment. Most websites today have an SSL Certificate installed, providing a secure connection to their users.
