Secure Sockets Layer

Digital Certificates

For the Handshake to commence, a Digital Certificate is needed.  As you may have read in the Digital Certificates portion of this web site, Digital Certificates are a way for the server to verify who you are.  If you would like a more detailed description proceed to the following link.

The importance of Digital Certificates as it relates to SSL is that they facilitate the public key exchange that is required to enable a SSL connection.  A DC can be obtained from companies such as VeriSign.  Servers may be quite snobby about who they receive Digital Certificates from.  Make sure you use a well know company, such as VeriSign.

So, you have a Digital Certificate, the next question is:

How do I know if I am at a secure site?

Paul Palicki