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So, just what is SSL ?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a technology that addresses
Internet privacy and security issues. Below, is a brief description of the potential
security hazards on the internet and the counter measures offered by SSL.
The Free World of the Internet
The Internet was created as an open medium, as free as walking into a public library.
Normally, information that is sent to and from your computer will pass through many
other computers, on the way to the intended address. These intermediate computers
normally relay, not examine, the data that is sent through them. If
someone at one of these locations wished to monitor the data, it could easily be
intercepted. They could even change the data before relaying it.
SSL to the rescue ! With special encryption technology,
your data is encoded before it is sent over the Internet, resulting in un-readable data to
the would-be hacker. Only the intended recipient can read the real data.
Our Datavoice Secure Web Server and your SSL-enabled web
browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer, work hand in hand to
provide secure communications over the Internet. Secure communications are generally
necessary when passing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or bank account
information over the Internet. While in the secure mode, your browser displays a
symbol, such as a lock or a safe. You may also notice that the URL will start with
https:// to designate the secure mode.
Security Risks on the Internet
It should be said that the security issues we've been talking about are web related.
SSL is commonly used on web sites. Common electronic mail ( E-Mail ) is most
definitely an un-secure mode of communication. E-Mail transmitted as plain text over
the Internet. You should never include passwords, credit card numbers or personal
information in an E-Mail message, unless you password protect it.
There are three potential weak links in the normal exchange
of Internet information.
· Monitoring. Your data is delivered to the destination as
intended, but security is breached due to its examination along the way. Someone
could learn your personal information or a credit card number.
· Replacement. Your data is intercepted and
changed, before relaying it to the destination. For example, the ship-to address
on an order for goods placed over the Internet could be changed. Without
security protection, the vendor would not realize the data was invalid.
· Masquerading. Your data is passed to
someone electronically pretending to be the recipient. A server could falsely call
itself www.abc.com. This is called spoofing. This site could appear
to be the real ABC Company and actually take credit card orders, but never ship any goods.
You can prevent each of these threats if you use SSL for all
communications.
Protection Against Internet Fraud
The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol offers several security safeguards against the
risks mentioned above.
· SSL guarantees data will be kept confidential via encryption, encoding
the data during transmission. Only the intended party may read the data, anyone
intercepting it along its route will receive unreadable information.
· SSL assures accurate data transmission. Any data
that is intercepted, changed and then re-sent will not decode properly at the intended
recipient. This flags the data as invalid.
· SSL provides positive identification through a digital
certificate. Datavoice is a Certificate Authority ( CA ) that provides certificates
to it's customers with secure web sites. When you communicate with one of these
servers, the certificate assures that you are looking at the site that you think you are.
Internet communication via SSL is automatic, if any of the
security threats mentioned above are present, the connection will drop and your browser
will warn you of the condition.
Interested in doing secured business over the
internet? Contact us at salesinfo@datavoice.net
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