SSL - Secure Sockets Layer is protocol for managing the security of information transferred on the Internet. It is the most common client-server encryption schem used today to send important information on the web today.

SSL Certificate - is a digital signature that is signed by a third party, called a Certificate Authority (CA), who will vouch for your identity.

CA - A Certificate Authority (CA) insures that your Web site is a legitimate place of business. You must have a CA certify and assign your site a certificate before you can use SSL. Certificates remain valid until they expire or the CA revokes them.

Encryption - the typed in information is encrypted while sending through the web and gets decrypted by the server receiving the information.

128-bit / 40-bit - this is the strength of the encryption with 128-bit the highest and industry standard used from small business to major corporations world wide.

HTTPS - when a page uses an SSL certificate the address bar will display: "https://www.something.com" so that the page in question contains 100% secure content and sending info through the page is
100% secure as well.

Identity validation - You can be sure that the party receiving your information, (the party controlling the server/web site), is actually the intended recipient of your communication.

"LOCK" icon - the icon on the bottom of the browser's assures online visitors that credit card account numbers and other confidential information cannot be viewed, intercepted or altered.