What is SSL?
SSL is the acronym for Secure Sockets Layer, a communications protocol which encrypts the pages before they get transfered over the internet, authenticating the involved parts. It creates a cryptographed channel between the web server and the browser, assuring the security and safety of the data transmitted, helping make safer the use of credit cards for online payments, or the user authentication into a sensible website area. A website is recognized as safe by its users when they see the “closed lock” in the navigaton bar by the website’s address.
Beyond the benefits in security, SSL has recently been included as an important SEO factor, and its use helps improve the positoning of a website in the Search Engines Results Pages(SERPs).