SSL

Secure Sockets Layer is a technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client. The SSL certificate begins to encrypt any data that comes from the client computer to your server. At the same time, the usual link in the HTTP browser turns into HTTPS, where "s" means secure-protected.

First released1995
Developed byNetscape Communications
Latest stable versionSSL 3
Open-sourceNot defined
Used byGoogle, Apple, Microsoft

Interesting facts

Many organisations use the SSL/TLS (Secure Socket Layer/ Transport Layer Security) protocol to encrypt the authentication process when users log in – but fail to encrypt subsequent pages during the user’s session. This is not good practice, because intermittent use of SSL won’t keep users safe in the face of today’s burgeoning threats.

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