Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol used to regulate the interaction between an individual user's web browser and a site's web server. The SSL protocol encrypts the communication between the browser and the server, providing a secure environment for the online exchange of information. Secure Sockets Layer is considered the industry standard encryption protocol, and is pre-installed on the majority of popular web software. Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Apache are a few of the widely distributed products that utilize SSL for encrypting sensitive data.

Secure Sockets Layer encryption is available in two strengths, determined by the size of the signing key used by the program. 40-bit and 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer protocols both serve to encrypt information, but the greater size of the 128-bit key makes it more difficult for a third party to intercept, alter, or decrypt. Because certificate authorities set the Secure Sockets Layer price according to size, some businesses may decide to use the 40-bit SSL protocol only. However, businesses such as banks and other financial institutions, or any organizations that might be specifically targeted by hackers and cyber criminals rely on less than the 128-bit SSL.

How Does A Secure Sockets Layer Work?

When a user submits her credit card information to a website in order to make a purchase, the Secure Sockets Layer encrypts that data before sending it across the Internet. There is no way for anyone to discern the encrypted data until it is decrypted by the private key, which can only occur after the web site has received the information. As a result, the data can only be decrypted by the site itself.

Users can verify if a website is utilizing the Secure Sockets Layer protocol by checking indicators inside their web browser. In the address bar of the browser, where a site's address would normally begin with "http://" a site using the Secure Sockets Layer has an address that begins with "https://." In addition, when exchanging information with an SSL site, a small padlock icon is displayed in the bottom of the browser.