An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a digital certificate that encrypts data transferred between a website and its visitors, ensuring secure communication. It helps protect sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data from hackers.

SSL certificates enable websites to use HTTPS, which is more secure than HTTP. SSL-secured websites are marked with a lock icon in the browser or a green address bar for Extended Validation SSL-secured websites. The URL of an SSL-secured website will also start with “https” instead of “http.”