secure socket layer

In computing, standard protocol, designed by Netscape Communications, allowing secure communications over the Internet. The use of SSL involves the transmission of a secure message from Web browser to Web server. Both sender and recipient have a digital security certificate that enables an encrypted message to be decrypted. This process is automatic. SSL technology is commonly used in electronic commerce transactions where users are purchasing products over the Internet, with the information, including credit card numbers and passwords, being encrypted.

Considered a key technology to allow commerce across the World Wide Web, SSL began appearing on the Internet in 1995.