Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a protocol employed to encrypt the data exchanged between a hosting server and its users. The practical application of employing an SSL is to protect the info which site visitors submit on your website - a login page, a payment page if you run a web-based store, and so on. Any info they type in in any box on the website will be submitted safely and securely to the server, so their login or payment data will be protected from being accessed by unauthorized people. In general, an SSL certificate requires a dedicated IP address to be set up, which suggests the overall cost for your presence online will be higher. While this may not be an issue for a larger company, it may matter for a non-profit organization or a small online store that doesn't generate big revenue if additional money should be spent. This is the key reason why we've taken advantage of an extension referred to as Server Name Indication (SNI) and we have made it possible to use a shared server IP address to set up an SSL certificate.