Security (SSL)

Should I really be concerned about Internet privacy?

Yes. The connection between your computer and any other technology on the Internet can be routed through dozens of independent systems, any of which can easily be monitored. You should consider non-encrypted e-mail, Web browsing, chatting, and any other Internet use about as private as yelling to someone across a crowded room.

What do the letters SSL stand for?

SSL is an acronym for Secure Sockets Layer.

What does SSL mean to the average Internet user?

When you come across a Web page that is secured, your browser will likely display a 'closed lock' or other symbol to inform you that SSL has been enabled. The Web site address should also then start with "https://" rather than the usual "http://". SSL allows a secure connection between your Web browser and a Web server. This secure information "tunnel" was developed by Netscape Communications and was based on encryption algorithms developed by RSA Security.

What is a digital certificate?

The digital certificate is similar to a driver's license, and the SSL is comparable to a car. A digital certificate is the identification card issued by a Certificate Authority (CA) and used by a server to prove it is the legitimate source of private information. Just as the state government is the only agency allowed to issue a valid driver's license, there are only a few CA's (such as Verisign, Inc.) that issue valid certificates that your browser will accept.

Does SSL require a "digital certificate" and vice-versa?

Yes. Digital certificates facilitate the public key exchange required to enable an SSL connection.

What's the difference between 40-bit and 128-bit SSL connections?

Many banks require 128-bit encryption for online banking because 40-bit encryption is considered to be relatively weak. 128-bits is about 309 septillion times (309,485,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) larger than 40-bits. Equated to the real world, sending information without encryption is like sending a postcard through the mail—the contents are visible to practically anyone who wants to see it.