What is SSL?

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Apr 26, 2013) -

Editors Note: There is an image associated with this press release.

Symantec, one of the global leaders in the production of anti-viral software and cyber security, has recognised that in this increasingly digital age, cyber security and online protection is more important than ever, which is why they have produced a new interactive guide that helps consumers to understand the importance of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates.

The growth and spread of the internet has forever changed the way we conduct business. It has given business owners and leaders, greater reach in their search for new markets and clients, access to more instantaneous information to help them be more successful, and new intelligence on how to evolve and compete in a constantly changing market.

However, opening up access to information brings with it risks that neither businesses nor consumers can afford to ignore.

Many businesses require clients to provide personal data such as credit card details, in order to help them complete their transactions and receive the services they are looking for. Understandable though, this comes with a great deal of potential risk. Business owners are legally obliged to protect the data that is provided to them, but some companies do a better job than others. If your personal information is left at risk, third parties may be able to gain access to your records and you could find yourself at risk of credit card or identity fraud.

Securing an SSL certificate for your business or website is one way to ensure you are doing everything you can to protect your customers. To help consumers understand what these certificates are and how to go about getting one, Symantec have launched a fully interactive and instructional SSL certificates interactive guide which contains all the information needed to get to grips with your online security options.

While digital records are far more convenient to manage than their paper counterparts, they still need to be protected in the same way - the digital equivalent to keeping your vital documents in the safe.

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information sent to the server using SSL technology to scramble data into an undecipherable format that can only be returned to a readable format with the proper decryption key. SSL certificates identify that a website is doing everything it can to protect clients data, ensuring that only those who have permission to access your information are able to do so.

This important tool will help ensure Symantec's goal of maintaining the Internet as a safe and secure environment to facilitate business and communications.

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