Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Definition - What does Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) mean?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a standard protocol used for the secure transmission of documents over a network. Developed by Netscape, SSL technology creates a secure link between a Web server and browser to ensure private and integral data transmission. SSL uses Transport Control Protocol (TCP) for communication.

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Techopedia explains Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

In SSL, the word socket refers to the mechanism of transferring data between a client and server over a network.

When using SSL for secure Internet transactions, a Web server needs an SSL certificate to establish a secure SSL connection. SSL encrypts network connection segments above the transport layer, which is a network connection component above the program layer.

SSL follows an asymmetric cryptographic mechanism, in which a Web browser creates a public key and a private (secret) key. The public key is placed in a data file known as a certificate signing request (CSR). The private key is issued to the recipient only.

The objectives of SSL are:

Data integrity: Data is protected from tampering.
Data privacy: Data privacy is ensured through a series of protocols, including the SSL Record Protocol, SSL Handshake Protocol, SSL Change CipherSpec Protocol and SSL Alert Protocol.
Client-server authentication: The SSL protocol uses standard cryptographic techniques to authenticate the client and server.

SSL is the predecessor of Transport Layer Security (TLS), which is a cryptographic protocol for secure Internet data transmission.