What is an SSL certificate?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that is used to establish a secure encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. The SSL certificate contains information about the identity of the website owner, as well as the public key that is used to encrypt data transmitted between the web server and the web browser.

When a user visits a website that has an SSL certificate installed, their web browser will automatically establish a secure connection with the web server using the public key in the SSL certificate. This secure connection ensures that any data transmitted between the web server and the web browser is encrypted, which helps to protect sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data from being intercepted by hackers.

SSL certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), which are organizations that are authorized to issue SSL certificates. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, their web browser will check the certificate to ensure that it has been issued by a trusted CA. If the certificate is valid and has been issued by a trusted CA, the web browser will display a padlock icon or a green address bar to indicate that the website is secure.

In summary, an SSL certificate is a digital certificate that is used to establish a secure encrypted connection between a web server and a web browser. It is an essential component of website security and helps to protect sensitive information from being intercepted by hackers.