An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that establishes a secure connection between a website and a user's browser. When a user visits a website with an SSL certificate, their connection to the site is encrypted, protecting against hackers and other cyber threats. The SSL certificate also verifies the identity of the website and helps to prevent phishing attacks. When a user connects to a website with an SSL certificate, a padlock icon will appear in the address bar to indicate that the connection is secure.
To establish an SSL connection, the website's server and the user's browser exchange a series of keys to authenticate each other. Once the connection is established, all data transmitted between the server and the browser is encrypted and secure. This is important for protecting sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal data.
Overall, an SSL certificate helps to ensure that a website is secure and that user data is protected when transmitted over the internet.