Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP)

The Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) is a method used to check the validity of a digital certificate, which ensures secure communication online. When you visit a website, your browser may ask an OCSP server whether the site's certificate is still valid or has been revoked. This helps protect against fraud and ensures that the website you are accessing is trustworthy. OCSP allows for quick and efficient verification, eliminating the need to download large certificate lists, making it easier to maintain secure online transactions and communications.