The SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) handshake is the process by which a website's server and a user's browser establish a secure connection. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how the SSL handshake works:
- A user's browser sends a request to a website's server to establish a secure connection.
- The server responds by sending the browser a copy of its SSL certificate.
- The browser checks the certificate to make sure it is valid and issued by a trusted authority.
- If the certificate is valid, the browser sends a message to the server to begin the SSL handshake process.
- The server sends the browser a randomly generated key, which is used to encrypt the data transmitted between the two.
- The browser uses the key to encrypt a message and sends it back to the server.
- The server decrypts the message using the key, and the secure connection is established.
- From this point on, all data transmitted between the browser and the server is encrypted and secure.
- When the user is finished with the website and closes their browser, the SSL connection is terminated.
Overall, the SSL handshake is an important process that helps to establish a secure connection between a website and a user's browser and protect against cyber threats such as data interception and phishing attacks.