What is SSL security and should all Web sites have SSL security?
SSL is short form for Secure Sockets Layer, a protocol for transmitting private or financially sensitive documents via the Internet. SSL uses a cryptographic system that uses two keys to encrypt data – a public key known to everyone, and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message. Most Web browsers support SSL, and many Web sites use the SSL protocol to obtain confidential user information, such as credit card numbers. This ensures such information remains secure and encrypted when in transit. By convention, URLs that require an SSL connection start with https:// instead of http://. Those Web sites that must collect any private information from its users should do so using SSL encryption to ensure information submitted remains secure when in transit. Our Privacy Seal Program member Web sites must utilize all aspects of e-commerce security, including SSL session encryption.
