Secure Sockets Layer

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a web server and a browser, ensuring all data passed between them remains private and integral. SSL is an industry standard and is used by millions of websites in the protection of their online transactions with their customers.

To create an SSL connection a web server requires an SSL Certificate. Your browser will let you know you are currently protected by an SSL encrypted session - the lock icon in the lower right-hand corner, double clicking on the lock icon displays the SSL Certificate and the details about it.

Typically an SSL Certificate will contain the company's details and expiration date of the certificate and details of the Certification Authority responsible for the issuing it. When your browser connects to a secure site it will retrieve the site's SSL Certificate and check it has not expired, it has been issued by a Certification Authority the browser trusts, and it is being used by the website for which it has been issued. If it fails on any one of these checks the browser will display a warning to the end user letting them know that the site is not secured by SSL.

View more information about GlobalSign Certification Authority