SSL
n.n. Stands for Secure Sockets Layer. A technology that keeps an internet connection secure and protects any sensitive data that is being sent between two systems.
n. Abbreviation for Secure Sockets Layer. A standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client, typically a web server and a browser. While largely succeeded by TLS, the term remains the common industry shorthand for website encryption protocols.
The website uses SSL to protect your credit card information.
Before entering your password, always check for the padlock icon in the browser bar to ensure the site has a valid SSL certificate.
The implementation of SSL was a critical milestone in the history of e-commerce, as it provided the cryptographic security necessary for consumers to trust online financial transactions.
An initialism representing Secure Sockets Layer. The term was coined by Netscape Communications in 1994 to denote the specific protocol layer used for encrypted data transmission.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'SSL certificate' or 'SSL encryption'.
Last updated July 22, 2026