SSL stands for secure socket layer.

Secure socket layer protocol was developed by Netscape. 

SSL provides security to communications over the Internet by creating a secure channel using cryptography.

Secure socket layer along with TLS provide security by encrypting segments or packets of data above the transport layer of the network.

There are several versions of SSL available. Secure Socket Layer or SSL services provide security to applications such as web browsing, Voice over IP, electronic mail, fax and instant messaging.

Secure socket layer is also used in websites used by banks and financial institutions that provide E-commerce and E-business services to customers. Secure socket layer creates a safe link between the server and the communicating node and makes sure that the communication occurring between the node and the server is secure and private.

It encrypts the packets before transmitting them to the server and makes sure that sensitive information such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, passwords and email ids are safe from eavesdroppers, man in the middle attacks and packet sniffing. 

In the SSL security protocol each certificate is a distinctive credential that identifies the owner of the certificate.  The latest version of SSL protocol is SSL 3.0 which was released in 1996. SSL 3.0 contains ciphers for enhanced security and certificate authentication for credibility and safety.

SSL provides 128 bit strong encryption. Such secure and safe encrypted message would take an experience hacker using brute force technique almost a trillion years to decrypt the message. You must use SSL protocol if you have an online store or you accept online orders.

SSL is also important for you if you own a website that offers login services using a password and store sensitive information about users such as address, date of birth and birth place, IDs or contact numbers.