Secure Sockets Layer

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Secure Sockets Layer

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a client, protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data transferred between them. SSL uses digital certificates to verify the identities of both parties and encrypt the transmitted information.

What does Secure Sockets Layer mean?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic protocol that establishes a secure, encrypted link between a web Server and a web browser or other client. It protects sensitive Data transmitted over the Internet, such as credit card numbers, passwords, and personal information.

SSL works by creating a secure connection, or channel, between the client and server. This connection encrypts all data transmitted between the two parties, ensuring that it remains private and secure. Without SSL, data sent over the Internet could be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.

SSL is an essential security measure for any website that handles sensitive information. It helps protect users from identity theft, phishing attacks, and other online threats.

Applications

SSL is widely used in a variety of applications and across many different platforms, including e-commerce, financial transactions, healthcare, and social media.

  • E-commerce: SSL is used to secure online shopping transactions by encrypting credit card numbers and other sensitive information.
  • Financial transactions: SSL is used to protect financial transactions, such as online banking and Stock trading.
  • Healthcare: SSL is used to protect patient health information and medical records.
  • Social media: SSL is used to protect user data on social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter.

SSL is essential for any website that handles sensitive information. It provides a secure, encrypted connection that helps protect users from identity theft, phishing attacks, and other online threats.

History

The development of SSL began in the early 1990s. In 1994, Netscape Communications released SSL version 2.0 as part of its Netscape Navigator web browser. SSL version 3.0 was released in 1996 and became the most widely used version of SSL.

In 1999, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) published the TLS 1.0 protocol, which was based on SSL version 3.0. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is an updated and improved version of SSL that provides additional security features.

TLS 1.1 was released in 2006 and TLS 1.2 was released in 2008. TLS 1.3, the latest version of TLS, was released in 2018. TLS 1.3 is the most secure version of TLS and is the recommended protocol for use with SSL.

SSL has played a vital role in the development of the Internet. It has helped to protect sensitive data and make the Internet a safer place for online transactions.