An SSL Certificate is a piece of code called a digital computer file that serves a dual function: namely, site authenticity and verification, as well as encryption of the data being transferred between your browser and that website.
Authentication and Verification
An entity, which could be a business, individual, government organization, etc., will register for an SSL with the Certificate Authority (CA) and supply them with specific information about themselves.
The CA follows strict disciplines about who may or may not receive an SSL Certificate, ensuring absolute trust by the website’s visitor.
The SSL Certificate is activated by the visitor to the entity’s website when clicking on the small padlock icon in the browser’s URL. The SSL will display the necessary information to the website visitor.
The most secure SSL is called an Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate and is deemed to be the most trusted SSL Certificate available.
Data Encryption
Data encryption allows personal information that is sent from the website to be inaccessible to a third party and cannot be decrypted except by the owner of the SSL Certificate that has been used.