SSL

SSL stands for 'Secure Socket Layer'. It is a web browser security technology.

It is now deemed obsolete as a new, improved, cryptographic protocol called 'TLS' or Transport Layer Security' has superceded it. The main browsers such as Chrome and Firefox now use TLS.

SSL was part of the software of the web browser.

SSL (and TLS) allows confidential data to safely pass from your web browser to a distant server via the Internet. The confidential data is 'encrypted' or scrambled so that only the server can read it.

For example, e-commerce shops use SSL (TLS) to keep your credit card details secret.

In Chrome and Firefox you can tell when a secure protocol is being used as a small padlock appears in the URL address bar.

If you click on the padlock, a window appears that confirms that the SSL certificate is valid i.e. you are connected securely to the real site.

Challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you

Click on this link: SSL

2020-10