SSL (secured Sockets Layer)

Definition

SSL refers to a protocol for transmitting private or security-senitive documents via the Internet. It uses a cryptographic system that uses a public key which encrypts data for transmission and is known to everyone and a private key which decrypts data and is known only to the recipient of the message. Election jurisdictions may use this protocol in an effort to protect the confidentiality of voter information. Web sites using the SSL protocol generally start with https:// instead of http://.