The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol has become the universal standard on the Web for authenticating sites and for encrypting communications between users and Web servers. Because SSL is built into all major browsers and Web servers, simply installing a digital certificate or Server ID enables SSL capabilities.

SSL server authentication allows users to confirm a Web server's identity. SSL-enabled client software, such as a Web browser, can automatically check that a server's certificate and public ID are valid and have been issued by a certificate authority (CA) — such as VeriSign — listed in the client software's list of trusted CAs. SSL server authentication is vital for secure e-commerce transactions.

An encrypted SSL connection requires all information sent between a client and a server to be encrypted by the sending software and decrypted by the receiving software, protecting private information from interception over the Internet. In addition, all data sent over an encrypted SSL connection is protected with a mechanism for detecting tampering — that is, for automatically determining whether the data has been altered in transit. This means that users can confidently send private data, such as credit card numbers, to a website, trusting that SSL keeps it private and confidential.

VeriSign Certificates Secure Site Pro with EV £999.99   Secure Site with EV £699.99   Secure Site Pro £499.99   Secure Site £249.99     GeoTrust Certificates True BusinessID with EV £349.99   True BusinessID Wildcard £499.99   True BusinessID £114.99   QuickSSL® Premium £99.99   QuickSSL® £69.99   RapidSSL® £19.99     SBS Certificates SBS SGC EV* £449.99   SBS EV* £359.99   SBS Secure Plus £89.99   SBS Secure £59.99   SBS Instant £29.99

Extended Validation Secure Site Pro with EV £999.99   Secure Site with EV £699.99   True BusinessID with EV £349.99   SBS SGC EV* £449.99   SBS EV* £359.99     Organization Validation Secure Site Pro £499.99   Secure Site £249.99   True BusinessID Wildcard £499.99   True BusinessID £114.99   SBS Secure Plus £89.99   SBS Secure £29.99     Domain Validation QuickSSL® Premium £99.99   QuickSSL® £69.99   RapidSSL® £19.99   SBS Instant £29.99