Websites that provide online shopping services often have the SSL logo displayed prominently on their webpage. SSL is actually the acronym for Secure Sockets Layer, a cryptographic protocol that provides communication security over the Internet. SSL encrypts segments of network connections using asymmetric cryptography for privacy. A keyed message authentication code is needed to ensure the reliability of the message. Several versions of SSL protocol are used in various online applications such as web browsing, email, instant messaging and voice-over-IP (VoIP).
Secure Sockets Layer was initially developed by Netscape in order to safely transmit private data through the Internet. The SSL system needs two keys to encrypt data − the first is a public key that is known to everyone; and the second is a private key known only to the message recipient. Both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer support SSL technology. Websites that use the SSL protocol can be identified by checking the URL address: Sites with SSL connections start with https: instead of just http.
Web sites that regularly deal with confidential client information, such as credit card numbers, phone numbers and addresses, should ensure that the host provider that they are subscribe to can provide SSL solutions. The best way to check the reliability or capacity of a host to provide SSL protocol is by reading web hosting reviews.
Web hosting reviews, such as Host Gator Review, are independently run sites that provide unbiased ratings on a host’s services. Web host reviews can be used to determine if a particular host can meet the security requirements of websites, or not.