An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a Web site and encrypts information sent to the server using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. Encryption is the process of scrambling data into an undecipherable format that can only be returned to a readable format with the proper decryption key. A certificate serves as an electronic signature that establishes an online entity’s credentials when doing business on the Web. When an Internet user attempts to send confidential information to a Web server, the user’s browser accesses the server’s digital certificate and establishes a secure connection. An SSL certificate normally contains the following information: * The certificate holder’s name * The digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority * A copy of the certificate holder’s public key * The certificate’s serial number and expiration date Examples of companies that offer SSL certification are Thawte, Verisign and Comodo. SSL Certificates are available with all of 1and1's hosting plans