What Is an SSL Certificate?

SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer, is a popular Digital Certificate. At the heart of every SSL certificate, you will find a set of cryptographic keys. These keys are different on each certificate and they uniquely represent the organization or person for whom the certificate is issued.

What Is the Purpose of an SSL Certificate?

The cryptographic keys in SSL certificates are commonly used to enable HTTPS on websites. Additionally, SSL certificates can confirm the identity of the domain where they are installed, thus preventing phishing attacks. SSL certificates have other uses as well, such as verifying that programs and documents have not been tampered with.