Secure Sockets Layer, a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link.
Description
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol for establishing a secure and encrypted connection between a web server and a browser. It ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the internet, which is crucial in the context of Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols. In SSO systems, SSL helps protect sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords, by encrypting the data during transmission. This protects users from potential eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. SSL certificates, issued by trusted certificate authorities (CAs), validate the identity of the parties involved, adding an extra layer of security to the authentication process. With the increasing reliance on web-based applications, SSL has become an integral part of online security, promoting user trust and safeguarding personal information. Despite being succeeded by Transport Layer Security (TLS), the term SSL is still widely used to refer to these encryption methods.
Examples
- Websites like PayPal and Amazon use SSL to secure transactions and protect user data.
- Many corporate environments implement SSL to secure Single Sign-On processes for accessing multiple applications.
Additional Information
- SSL certificates can be purchased from various certificate authorities like DigiCert and Comodo.
- The transition from SSL to TLS is recommended for enhanced security, as TLS provides improved encryption standards.