An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that is used to secure communication between a user’s browser and a web server. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is a protocol that encrypts data sent over the internet to ensure that it cannot be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
When a user visits a website that has an SSL certificate installed, their browser and the server establish a secure connection. This is indicated by a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar and the “https” protocol in the website’s URL. The SSL certificate verifies the website’s identity, ensuring that the user is communicating with the correct server and not a fake or malicious one.
SSL certificates are issued by trusted third-party organizations called Certificate Authorities (CAs). Websites can obtain SSL certificates from CAs to secure their communication with users. The use of SSL certificates is essential for protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other personal data transmitted over the internet.
