The SSL protocol is the Web standard for encrypting
communications between users and SSL (secure sockets layer)
e-commerce sites. Data sent via an SSL connection is protected by
encryption, a mechanism that prevents eavesdropping and tampering
with any transmitted data. SSL provides businesses and consumers
with the confidence that private data sent to a Web site, such as
credit card numbers, are kept confidential. Web server certificates
(also known as secure server certificates or SSL certificates) are
required to initialize an SSL session.
Customers know when they have an SSL session with a website when
their browser displays the little gold padlock and the address bar
begins with a https rather than http. SSL certificates can be used
on webservers for Internet security and mailservers such as imap,
pop3 and smtp for mail collection / sending security.
Once SSL is invoked for your web site, a SSL Certificate is required
to authenticate the validity of the owner of the site to the end
user. Knight Web Services® will provide and install your SSL
certificate for only $69.97/year.