As the Internet became more of a commercial tool, the need for a secure method of online purchases and messages between a customer and retailer became a necessity. This is where the SSL (secure socket layer) encryption comes into play.

SSL Affects Hackers the Same Way Kryptonite Affects Superman
SSL encryption is software that prevents anyone from intercepting and reading data being transferred between the customer and the retailer's database. So, SSL is ideal for accepting sensitive information over the Internet, such as credit-card numbers or access passwords.

Secure links between your computer and another computer over the Internet are based on a code system called public key encryption. When the computer forms a secure connection over the Internet, it will be using the communication protocol called SSL. You can be sure of the secure connection by a picture of a key or a closed padlock appearing at the bottom of your browser's screen. Also, when your computer makes a secure link through the Internet, the URL will begin with https//: rather than http//: located in your browser's address window.

Each computer generates a set of codes, which encrypts the information. From these codes, each computer generates two "keys"-one private and one public. Your computer keeps the private key secret, but sends out the public key to the other computer, which uses that key to encode messages that only your computer can read. Only the private key can do the decoding. Through this process only these two computers have a copy of the respective keys.

SSL is an enormous step towards making the Internet secure. The level of security provided by SSL encryption can support a variety of needs for the many different applications available today. SSL is the standard for a secure method in terms of privacy, integrity, and authenticity.

Which Provides Better Protection-A Secured Internet Transaction or a Physical Transaction?
The choice is easy! SSL encryption offers two levels of security: the 40-bit ("low" or "weak") that offers over a trillion possible code combinations, or the 128-bit ("high" or "b") with nearly immeasurable code combinations.

Here's how secure a 128-bit key is: it would take 250 workstations working simultaneously around the clock an estimated 9 trillion times the age of the universe just to decrypt a single message. It's safe to say SSL is extremely sophisticated software. In comparison, do you feel safe giving your credit card to a waiter who disappears with the card for a few minutes? Or to an employee at a store, who keeps a copy of your credit card information? It's far more risky to trust your credit card carbons to an underpaid fast food employee than to send the number via a secure encrypted web page.

With the proven security and protection that SSL provides, you can be confident while you are taking advantage of many conveniences of Internet shopping.