SSL Explained

What is SSL?
The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol, originally developed by Netscape, has become the universal standard on the Web for authenticating Web sites to Web browser users, and for encrypting communications between browser users and Web servers. Because SSL is built into all major browsers and Web servers, simply installing a digital certificate, or Server ID, enables SSL capabilities.

What is a Server ID?
Installed on your Web server, a Server ID is a digital credential that enables visitors using Web browsers to verify your site's authenticity and to communicate with it securely via SSL encryption.

What is encryption?

An encrypted SSL connection requires all information sent between a client and a server to be encrypted by the sending software and decrypted by the receiving software, protecting private information from interception over the Internet. In addition, all data sent over an encrypted SSL connection is protected with a mechanism for detecting tampering - that is, for automatically determining whether the data has been altered in transit. This means that users can confidently send private data, such as credit card numbers, to a Web site, trusting that SSL keeps it private and confidential.

How do Server IDs work?

1) A customer contacts your site and accesses a secured URL: a page secured by a Server ID (indicated by a URL that begins with "https:" instead of just "http:" or by a message from the browser).

2) Your server responds, automatically sending the customer your site's digital certificate, which authenticates your site.

3) Your customer's Web browser generates a unique "session key" to encrypt all communications with the site.

4) The user's browser encrypts the session key itself with the site's public key so only the site can read the session key.

5) A secure session is now established. It all takes only seconds and requires no action by the user. Depending on the browser, the user may see a key icon becoming whole or a padlock closing, indicating that the session is secure.