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 Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology secures your Web
site by encrypting information and providing
authentication.
You need SGC-enabled
(server gated cryptography) SSL if:
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you accept
credit card, debit card, purchase card, or
electronic check online payments.
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your employees
or customers have network access to
confidential bank or brokerage account
information.
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you transmit
health care records electronically.
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you must meet
privacy and security standards as a
government agency.
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you share
insurance claim information with business
partners.
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your reputation
depends on the privacy and integrity of your
information.
Public and Private Keys to Privacy
An SSL Certificate consists of a public key and a
private key. The public key is used to encrypt
information and the private key is used to decipher it.
When a browser points to a secured domain, a secure
sockets layer handshake authenticates the server and
the client and establishes an encryption method and a
unique session key. They can begin a secure session
that guarantees message privacy and message integrity.
Don’t Reveal Yourself on the Internet
Without SSL encryption, packets of information travel
networks in full view. Imagine sending mail through the
postal system in a clear envelope. Anyone with access
to it can see the data. If it looks valuable, they
might take it or change it.
Without third-party verification, how do you know a Web
site is an authentic representative of a business you
trust?
Every SSL Certificate is created for a
particular server in a specific domain for a verified
business entity. Like a passport or a driver’s license,
an SSL Certificate is issued by a trusted authority.
When the SSL handshake occurs, the browser requires
authentication from the server. If the information does
not match or the certificate has expired, the browser
displays an error message.
Not All Encryption Is Created Equal
Without an SGC-enabled certificate in place, Web site
visitors using certain older browsers and many Windows
2000 users will only receive 40- or 56-bit encryption.
Virsecure (including its resellers, subsidiaries, and
affiliates) is the only leading SSL provider with
SGC-enabled SSL Certificates, which provide 128- or
256-bit encryption to over 99.9% of Web site visitors.
(SGC: Strongest SSL Encryption.)
128-bit encryption offers 288 times as many possible
combinations as 40-bit encryption. That’s over a
trillion times a trillion times stronger. |
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What is encryption? |
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Encryption is the
process of
scrambling a message
so that only the
intended audience
has access to the
information.
When an SSL
handshake occurs
between a client and
server, a level of
encryption is
determined by the
Web server, the
client browser, the
client operating
system, and the SSL
Certificate. |
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What is https? |
Web pages beginning
with “https” instead
of “http” enable
secure information
transmission via the
protocol for secure
http. Securing
networks and
applications is
essential to secure
online transactions.
“Https” is one
measure of security
to look for when
sending or sharing
confidential
information such as
credit card numbers,
private data
records, or business
partner data. |
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