Every time an e-commerce transaction is conducted on the Internet, personal confidential data like credit card numbers or social security numbers are exchanged among the shopper, the merchant and the appropriate parties involved in the transaction process like a payment processor. This information is susceptible to interception by unauthorized third parties and malicious attacks by computer hackers. SSL protects against these risks. At the same time, it also authenticates or validates the ownership of a website and ensures that the submitted data is supplied to the rightful storefront owner and the appropriate parties involved in the purchase transaction. SSL is a critical requirement for conducting responsible, competitive e-commerce. Many savvy shoppers will not make purchases at web sites that lack the level of security expected from e-commerce sites today. In fact, merchants with SSL-enabled sites may likely witness an increase in business simply by providing consumers the peace of mind that their personal information and consumer data is safeguarded.