SSL is a cryptographic security measure that encrypts data on the internet, creating a secret connection between two computers. SSL is used for secure e-commerce and is not visible to most users. Data encryption is the process of converting plain text data into secret ciphers, and SSL encryption uses encryption keys to create an encrypted message. AES standards are considered the gold standard for data encryption. SSL is unique because it encrypts entire segments of the network telecommunication link, creating an encrypted tunnel between two computers. Advanced SSL encryption is only available on newer versions of operating systems and web browsers.
Most computers today have access to the Internet. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a cryptographic security measure that protects sensitive data on the Internet. An SSL cipher is an encryption algorithm that creates a special certificate, which is used as a key between two computers on the Internet. This certificate creates a secret encrypted connection between two computers on the network, which blocks unwanted snooping on shared data.
The Secure Socket Layer was originally developed by Netscape as a secure protocol for Internet e-commerce activities. SSL is not visible to most Internet users, but it occurs when you access a website with a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) address. Some web browsers notify you when you access a secure website. This message is an indication of SSL encryption in action.
Data encryption is the process of converting plain text data into secret ciphers. Once the data is encrypted, it is impossible to understand it because it is an encrypted representation of the original text. SSL encryption is a cryptographic function that uses encryption keys to create an encrypted message. Encryption keys vary in size and complexity. Larger bit keys offer a higher level of security.
There are multiple forms of SSL encryption algorithms available. These can support the Data Encryption Standard (DES) or the Advanced Data Encryption Standard (AES). AES standards are considered more difficult to crack because they use larger encryption keys.
Data encryption standards are maintained by the US federal government through the National Institute of Technology Standards (NIST). This is the agency that maintains and publishes the standards used by encryption algorithms. Currently, AES is considered the gold standard for data encryption because it supports a 256-bit encryption key.
SSL is a unique security protocol because it is based on the transport layer of computers. Typically computers are connected to the Internet through telecommunication devices. With SSL, entire segments of the network telecommunication link are encrypted. This end-to-end encryption process is an encrypted tunnel between two computers. Tunnel decryption requires the SSL cipher and encryption keys.
The advanced form of SSL encryption is only available on newer versions of operating systems and web browsers. This is because older versions of web browsers were based on DES standards and do not support large encryption keys. Windows® 2000 operating systems require Service Pack XNUMX for advanced SSL encryption.
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