The long and the short of it is that the padlock to the left of the web address in your browser is showing the site is protected through SSL. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol used to secure data transmission over the internet. It is a standard security protocol that creates a secure connection between a web server and a client, such as a web browser. SSL uses encryption to protect data from interception and tampering, making it a critical component of internet security.
How Does SSL Work?
SSL works by establishing an encrypted connection between a client and a server. The SSL handshake process is the first step in establishing a secure connection. During this process, the client and server exchange information to establish a shared secret key that is used to encrypt all subsequent communications.
SSL uses two types of encryption algorithms: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses two keys, a public key and a private key, to encrypt and decrypt data.
During the SSL handshake process, the client sends a request to the server to initiate a secure connection. The server responds by sending a digital certificate that contains the server’s public key. The client verifies the authenticity of the certificate by checking it against a trusted certificate authority (CA). If the certificate is valid, the client generates a random symmetric key and encrypts it using the server’s public key. The server decrypts the symmetric key using its private key and sends an acknowledgement to the client. Once this is complete, the client and server can exchange encrypted data using the symmetric key.
Where Do I Get SSL?
SSL certificates are issued by certificate authorities (CAs) and are used to verify the identity of the server. The certificate contains information about the server, including its domain name, public key, and expiration date. When a client connects to a server, it checks the server’s certificate against a list of trusted CAs. If the certificate is valid and matches the server’s domain name, the client establishes a secure connection.
SSL has been widely adopted as the standard for secure communication on the internet. However, it has been largely replaced by TLS (Transport Layer Security), which is the successor to SSL. TLS offers improved security and performance over SSL, and is now the recommended protocol for secure communication on the internet.
Summing Up.
It has become web standard and all of the sites I host and build have SSL. SSL is a critical component of internet security that provides encryption and authentication for data transmission over the internet. SSL uses encryption algorithms to establish a secure connection between a client and a server, and SSL certificates are used to verify the identity of the server. While SSL has been largely replaced by TLS, it remains an important part of the history of internet security and serves as the foundation for modern encryption protocols.
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Andrew Backhouse, a skilled independent designer based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, assists small and medium-sized enterprises, well-established brands, and dedicated creative professionals with their website design needs. Have a look at his portfolio and reach out for collaboration.