Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection between your web browser and a website. This ensures that any data exchanged—like passwords or credit card numbers—remains private and protected from eavesdroppers. When you see a padlock icon in your browser's address bar, it means SSL is active, signifying that the site is secure. Although SSL has largely been replaced by a more advanced protocol called TLS (Transport Layer Security), the term "SSL" is commonly used to describe these secure connections online.