Certificate Authority (CA)

A Certificate Authority (CA) is an organization that verifies the identity of websites and digital entities. Think of it as a digital notary that issues certificates confirming that a website is trustworthy and belongs to who it claims to be. When you visit a secure website, your browser checks the site's certificate issued by a CA to ensure it's legitimate. This process helps protect your data from being intercepted or tampered with, ensuring safe online communication. Essentially, CAs build trust in digital interactions by validating identities and issuing certificates that are recognized across the internet.