20.02.2007
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) -- A protocol developed by Netscape Communications to enable encrypted, authenticated communications across the Internet.
SSL used mostly in communications between web browsers and web servers.
URL's that begin with "https" indicate that an SSL connection will be used. Sockets refers to the sockets method of passing data back and forth between a client and a server program in a network or between program layers in the same computer. SSL uses the public- and private-key encryption system, which includes the use of a digital certificate.
SSL provides 3 important things: Privacy, Authentication, and Message Integrity.