Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is an industry standard technology used by millions of websites to protect the privacy and security of their visitors and customers. SSL works by creating an encrypted connection between two systems, usually a web server and a browser, or a mail server and a mail client (such as Outlook). This connection ensures that all data passed between the two systems remain private and encrypted.
SSL operates through a combination of public and private key cryptography. The public key is used to secure the connection, while the private key is used to decrypt the secure communication. The webserver contains the private key, while the browser stores the public key.
When a visitor visits an SSL-enabled website, their browser will check the website’s certificate to ensure it is valid and trusted. If the certificate checks out, the browser requests the web server to identify itself. The web server responds with its own digital certificate containing its public key. The browser then checks if the certificate is trustworthy and valid, if so, the browser generates a symmetric session key and sends it to the web server encrypted with the web server’s public key.
Once the connection is established, all further communication between the browser and the web server is encrypted and decrypted with the shared symmetric session key. This ensures that all data transmitted between the two systems remains secure and safeguards against man-in-the-middle attacks.
SSL also provides assurances to website visitors that the site they are visiting is authentic and secure. This is done with extended validation certificates that require organizations to undergo a thorough vetting process before being issued the certificate. Additionally, more and more websites are now deploying HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security), which forces a web browser to only use secure HTTPS connections and blocks all attempts to use insecure HTTP connections.
Overall, SSL is a highly effective technology that helps protect data privacy and security on the internet. It is employed by millions of websites, including most e-commerce websites and major financial institutions, to protect customer information and sensitive data.
