Imagine sending a letter through post office written on back of an open postcard. Anyone who handles that postcard along way can easily read your private messages. Sending information over internet without security works the same way. An SSL certificate is technology that puts your data inside a locked, steel security box before it travels across web.

SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, and it works closely with HTTPS, which is secure version of standard web address protocol. When an online store installs an SSL certificate on their server, it activates a protective shield. You can easily tell if a website has this shield by looking at web browser address bar. You will see a small padlock icon next to website name, and address will start with "https" instead of "http".

This system uses encryption to scramble data. When you type your password or credit card number into a secure online store, computer turns that plain text into a crazy code of random letters and numbers that makes zero sense to anyone else. Only store computer has special key required to unlock and read data.

If a hacker tries to intercept information while it travels from your device to website, they will only see useless code. For any online store, having an SSL certificate is absolutely mandatory. It protects customers from identity theft, satisfies bank requirements for processing payments, and shows shoppers that business takes security seriously.