SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)

Mutual authentication which allows the identites of both the server and client to be authenticated through exchange and verification of their digital certificates.

Server authentication that proves to the client that they are communicating with the intended website and not a fradulent site posing as the intended site. Again, this is done by verification of a digital certificate.

Client authentication that proves to the server that the client is who they say they are to protect businesses from fradulent users.

Integrity ensures that what was sent out is what was received. SSL protects the contents of messages exchanged between client and server from being altered.

Confidentiality assures users that no unauthorized person has access to the informatin being exchanged at the website. All traffic between an SSL server and SSL client is encrypted using a unique session key

If you would like more informatin on how SSL works, please visit How SSL Works, by Netscape Communications Corporation.