SSL/TLS

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its modern successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) encrypt the data transfer between your browser and the web server. This stops inputs like passwords or payment details from being intercepted or tampered with along the way. An active connection is recognizable by " https ✕ HTTPS is the encrypted version of the web protocol HTTP. The "S" stands for "Secure" and means the connection to the website is protected with TLS. More in the glossary → ://" and the padlock icon. Although people still say "SSL," today it's almost always TLS that's used. A valid certificate is standard for every website and a ranking factor on Google. More in the best web hosting comparison.