SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

SSL, short for Secure Sockets Layer, is a standard security protocol that establishes an encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. This connection ensures that all data transmitted between the web server and browsers remains private and integral.

SSL is commonly used to protect financial transactions, data transfers, and logins, ensuring that sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, personal information, and login credentials, cannot be intercepted by malicious attackers.

A website using SSL starts with HTTPS instead of HTTP, and modern browsers display a padlock next to the URL to indicate that the connection is secure. The use of SSL improves user trust and can contribute positively to a website’s ranking in search results, as search engines have long tended to favor sites that provide secure browsing.