First of all, SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, which is an encryption standard developed by Netscape Corporation, that is based on a scheme known as a public key/private key encryption.

Bit strength refers to the strength of the encryption. Only a few years ago, the most common form of SSL encryption available on the Internet was 40 bit. This offered a suitable level of security for the growing number of e-commerce transactions. But it soon became apparent that 40 bit security was simply not sufficiently robust to cater for the explosion in online transactions and with it the security threat from hackers and data thieves. So 128 bit encryption, which is literally trillions of times stronger in terms of its difficulty to crack, was developed to supersede 40 bit security. In fact, 128 bit SSL security is now the strongest browser-supported encryption available and is the standard within the banking, finance and online e-commerce industries.

In simple terms, 128 bit SSL encryption is a technology which encrypts, or scrambles digital information into what’s called a ciphertext (a string of unrecognizable characters), that is sent from one computer across the internet, then decrypts, deciphers or unscrambles it on the receiving computer. This prevents the information being looked at or viewed by a non-trusted third party whilst in transit between computers.

This form of encryption is most widely used when a person pays for goods or services online by credit or debit card. The transaction takes place over what is also known as a secure Internet connection. This 128 bit SSL encryption method protects a person’s transaction from the moment they enter their credit card information to the moment they receive payment confirmation. With the vast majority of online business websites now using 128 bit SSL encryption, all sensitive data, such as bank details and credit card numbers are between computers using what is currently one of the most secure protocols available. This confidential information is encrypted in such a way so that it cannot be viewed, manipulated, altered or embellished in any way during transmission.

Websites that use this form of encryption have what is known as a SSL Certificate which is the software that creates the encrypted link between the web site and its visitor's web browser. This SSL Certificate link ensures that all the data that passes between the web site and the visitor’s browser will remain private and secure.

You can tell that 128-bit SSL security protection is working correctly from your browser. When you go to a website’s checkout to pay for your order, you will notice that the SSL Certificate alters the website page’s link (or URL), by adding the "s" in "https. You will also be able to see the closed padlock icon in the lower right hand corner on your browser, meaning that an online transaction is secure.

All the latest internet browsers currently support 128 bit SSL certificates, so to ensure that level of security is available to you, it is important that you have the latest version of your preferred browser, be it Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox, Opera etc. These are commonly available as free downloads from the browsers’ own websites.

When it comes to buying goods and services securely over the Internet, it is equally important for both the e-commerce business and their customers that the most secure system available is in place. For an e-commerce website that sells goods or services and employs a shopping cart system, the presence of 128 SSL security protects the sensitive data of its customers whenever they complete a transaction. This in turn provides the customer with peace of mind in knowing they can trust the e-commerce website with their information. The knock-on effect of this building of trust between business and client means casual customers become loyal customers. 

While no security system yet exists that is one hundred percent safe, 128 bit SSL security is as close as possible to that figure and is currently seen to be unbreakable by any software, technique or system that is known to exist. The implementation of 128 bit SSL security in modern e-commerce, financial and banking websites should allay many unfounded fears about the security of online transactions.