SSL Definitions
Confused by all the SSL security jargon? Read the following to become educated on online security.
SSL
SSL is an abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer. The SSL protocol was first developed by Netscape and is now supported by all mainstream web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera and AOL.
For SSL to secure data transmission, an SSL certificate issued by a Certification Authority must be installed on the web server. Once installed, the SSL can then encrypt data transmitted between a browser and web server and vice versa.
Browsers indicate a SSL secured session by changing the http to https in the address bar and by displaying a small padlock in the lower right hand corner of the browser. Web user can click on the padlock to view and authenticate the SSL certificate.
* A small gold padlock will display in the lower right corner of the users browser status
bar during a secure session
HTTPS
Browsers can connect to web servers over two types of connections- http and over https.
Connecting over https involves the user entering https:// before the domain name or clicking on a link that leads to a secure connection.
HTTP = Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTTPS = Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure
* The address in the address bar will begin with https:// instead of http:// during a secure session
128 bit SSL
128 bit SSL is also referred to as strong SSL security. The numerical bit figure documents the size of the encryption key used to encrypt the data being passed between a web browser and web server. 128 bit SSL is mathematically 2 to the power of 128. A 128-bit SSL key is large and computationally difficult to crack and is therefore known as strong SSL security. Most web servers and web browsers support 128 bit SSL.
SSL Port / https Port
A “Port” is where a browser connects to a web server. The “SSL port” or the https port is the port you assign on your web server for SSL traffic. Most networks and firewalls use port 443 for SSL. The standard port used for non-secure http traffic is port 80.
