How Does SSL Work? (2024)

FAQs

How Does SSL Work? ›

How do SSL certificates work? SSL certificates establish an encrypted connection between a website/server and a browser with what's known as an “SSL handshake.” For visitors to your website, the process is invisible — and instantaneous.

SSL uses port number 443, encrypting data exchanged between the browser and the server and authenticating the user. Therefore, when the communications between the web browser and server need to be secure, the browser automatically switches to SSL — that is, as long as the server has an SSL certificate installed.

SSL verification follows a specific process and involves several steps. Firstly, the browser checks if the SSL certificate is valid and has not expired. It then verifies the digital signature of the certificate using the public key of the certificate authority (CA) that issued it.

SSL inspection works by placing an interception proxy between the client endpoint and the server endpoint, which will decrypt and inspect the traffic. As we've established, SSL inspection is normally done by placing a piece of hardware or software between the client and the server.

SSL/TLS stands for secure sockets layer and transport layer security. It is a protocol or communication rule that allows computer systems to talk to each other on the internet safely. SSL/TLS certificates allow web browsers to identify and establish encrypted network connections to web sites using the SSL/TLS protocol.

The server sends the browser a copy of its SSL certificate. The browser checks whether it trusts the SSL certificate. If so, it sends a message to the server. The server sends back a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session.

Website owners need to obtain an SSL certificate from a certificate authority, and then install it on their web server (often a web host can handle this process). A certificate authority is an outside party who can confirm that the website owner is who they say they are. They keep a copy of the certificates they issue.

Without an SSL certificate, only the letters HTTP – i.e., without the S for Secure – will appear. A padlock icon will also display in the URL address bar. This signals trust and provides reassurance to those visiting the website.

With SSL, authentication is performed by an exchange of certificates, which are blocks of data in a format described in ITU-T standard X. 509. The X. 509 certificates are issued, and digitally signed by an external authority known as a certificate authority.

How does SSL certificate authentication work? ›

The browser/server checks to see whether or not it trusts the SSL certificate. If so, it sends a message to the web server. The web server sends back a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session. Encrypted data is shared between the browser/server and the web server.

The web browser checks the certificate against a trusted list. If the browser trusts the certificate, it creates and sends a joint session key using the web server provided public key. The web server decrypts the session key using its private key and sends back an acknowledgment encrypted with the joint session key.

The SSL/TLS protocol allows a client and server to authenticate each other and negotiate encryption algorithms. SSL uses an encryption key and an encryption algorithm to secure the HTTP connection. The encryption keys are contained in SSL certificates used by both the client and the server.

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is an encryption-based Internet security protocol. It was first developed by Netscape in 1995 for the purpose of ensuring privacy, authentication, and data integrity in Internet communications. SSL is the predecessor to the modern TLS encryption used today.

SSL uses digital signatures and digital certificates for establishing a trusted relationship between a sender and a receiver of information sent over a network connection. A cipher suite is a set of ciphers (encryption algorithms) used for encrypting sensitive information.

SSL encrypts data transmitted over a TCP connection, ensuring that it is secure and confidential. This encryption stops unauthorized individuals from eavesdropping in and intercepting data. SSL validates data integrity during transmission.

SSL has not been updated since SSL 3.0 in 1996 and is now considered to be deprecated. There are several known vulnerabilities in the SSL protocol, and security experts recommend discontinuing its use. In fact, most modern web browsers no longer support SSL at all.

To run a successful business website, you need an SSL certificate to prevent traffic interruption. Even if you don't collect any information from your website visitors, your website requires an SSL certificate to prevent customers from getting a pop-up that indicates your website is unsecured.

Many site owners believe that an SSL certificate is enough to make a website secure. However, simply having an SSL does not completely cover website security. An SSL helps encrypt data as it moves between visitors and web servers, but it does not provide comprehensive protection from hackers.