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Understanding SSL
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SSL is short for Secure Sockets Layer. What SSL does is provide a security measure for any data that is transmitted between web browser and web server. How this works is by encrypting data while it is being submitted to the web server. The main thing to point out about SSL is that it only protects the data while in transit and it doesnt stop anyone from intercepting the data. So someone could intercept the data but it will not be of any usefulness since it will be encrypted.

To use SSL, there are requirements necessary to make it work. The first thing to make sure of is that the web browser being used is capable of SSL communication. The more popular commercial web browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape will definitely be already set up to handle SSL. The next thing is that the web server that the communication will be done with, have a certificate to allow SSL communication. This part of SSL will be taken care of by the web host provider. Also, the web host provider will determine the type of encryption available. These days, encryption can be anywhere from 32-bit to 128-bit. The higher the number is the stronger the encryption is but with a slight reduction in speed. This is due to the fact that stronger encryption takes a bit longer to decipher.

Typically, SSL is used when sending sensitive information over the Web such as credit card numbers for placing an order online. If the web site doesnt automatically have you enter a SSL secured web page, they will probably have a link available to send you to a secure page. So the way that you can tell if the web page you are currently on is using SSL is by looking at the URL. Lets say you are ordering widgets from http://www.widget.com. You go to the ordering page and the URL is https://www.widget.com/orderform.html. If you notice, the http has changed to https. The s indicates that you are now on a SSL web page.

Today, online commerce is becoming more and more popular. SSL makes it possible for people and businesses to have an extra measure of security when sending sensitive information across the Web. As mentioned earlier, SSL only protects data that is in transit. It does not offer protection when the web server receives the information. So once it gets there, it is deciphered and is open to be read. But that is why we have firewalls and other security measures that protect information once it is stored. As we see, Secure Sockets Layer encryption is just one part of the necessary security measures needed to ensure safe and secure exchange of data.
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Understanding SSL

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