SSL/TLS

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and its modern successor TLS (Transport Layer Security) encrypt the data transfer between your browser ✕ A browser is the program you use to open websites and surf the internet — such as Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. More in the glossary → and the web server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → . 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.