Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a security protocol that protects the information transmitted between a website and its visitors. Its primary purpose is to encrypt data and verify the authenticity of communications, much like its successor, Transport Layer Security (TLS).

If you want your website to operate securely and inspire greater trust among your visitors, it″s important to install an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate links your website to a pair of cryptographic keys—a public key and a private key—and contains identifying information, such as your domain name.

To be recognized as secure and authentic, the certificate must be issued and digitally signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA), allowing web browsers and operating systems to verify its validity.

How do SSL and TLS work?

Although Transport Layer Security (TLS) has replaced SSL as the modern security standard, both protocols work in a similar way. They use public and private cryptographic keys to establish an encrypted connection between a web browser and a server through the HTTPS protocol.

The private key remains securely stored on the server, while the public key is distributed as part of the website″s digital security certificate.

How Can You Tell if a Website Is Secure?

When a website uses the HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) protocol, users can have greater confidence that the communication between their browser and the web server is encrypted, authentic, and protected against unauthorized access.

To learn more about protecting your information online, read our Personal Data Security Tips on the TecWeb Blog.

If you don″t yet have a website or your current website needs an SSL certificate, our account specialists can help you choose the right solution for your business.