SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL uses a cryptographic system that uses two keys to encrypt data - a public key known to everyone and a private or secret key known only to the recipient of the message. Both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer support SSL, and many Web sites use the protocol to obtain confidential user information, such as credit card numbers.By convention, URLs that require an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:. (Webopedia.com)

Thawte Trusted Site Seal

Thawte is a Certification Authority (CA) that issues SSL various digital certificates to organizations and individuals worldwide. thawte performs various levels of authentication depending on the product. All thawte SSL Web Server Certificate or SGC SuperCert clients may display the thawte Trusted Site Seal on their webites. The thawte Trusted Site Seal is a secure image which provides visible proof of your trusted status, that you are fully authenticated and that users may transact safely and securely with you. (thawte.com)