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The full form of SSL is "Secure Sockets Layer". Secure Socket Layer is a protocol that provides security for confidential data after the encryption process over the Internet. A secure connection between the server and the browser is created to ensure data privacy. An SSL-certified website includes a padlock in front of the website's URL to indicate that the website is secure for transactions.
History
To ensure data integrity, privacy, and authentication, Netscape developed an encryption-based Internet security protocol called SSL, Secure Sockets Layer, in 1995.
Advantages
- Security: The main purpose of SSL is to provide security for data or information through encryption. Data traveling over the Internet is always at high risk of loss. So SSL encrypts the data so that even if a third party receives the data, they won't understand it.
- Authentication: When data travels over the Internet, it has a chance of being accessed by a third party. It uses an SSL server certificate to provide authentication, which ensures that the SSL certificate provider is authorized to establish a connection between the SSL server and the browser.
- Reliability: An SSL certificate verifies to the visitor that the visited website is legitimate and not fake. Thus, the visitor can easily trust and rely on the website.
- Software Requirements: SSL does not require any specific client software to be installed. It only requires an internet connection and a web browser. So it can be cost effective.
Disadvantages
- Performance: When a website uses an SSL certificate, the speed of data transactions is
- affected. As data is encrypted and decrypted, performance degrades.
- Expiration: The SSL certificate needs to be renewed from time to time. If not restored, performance will be affected.
- Application Support: SSL was originally intended to support web applications. In addition, the setup process is complex.